A survey among the eight broadcasters in the Northwest League has revealed their thoughts on the best stadium atmosphere in the league.

 

1.   Spokane – When you average nearly 5,000 fans a night, it is hard to go against the best atmosphere in the Northwest League being at Avista Stadium.  For me, it starts with Jamie, the on-field announcer, who bellows announcements as if he is working a Gonzaga basketball game, and ends with the music that plays after every run scored – which seems to be playing over and over and over.  One broadcaster mentioned, “Great fans, great place to call a game,” while another mentioned, “When they get a big, big, crowd, it is electric.”

 

2.  Vancouver – The fans at Nat Bailey Stadium are big-league fans, used to going to Canucks hockey games or Lions football games (B.C. Lions, that is), and know how to have fun.  The party decks down each foul line are the place to be during each game, while the opposing team gets heckled pretty good throughout (something that doesn’t happen in every city).  Throw in the Sushi Race and the massive Diamond-Vision board, and it is a fun place to watch a game.  One broadcaster mentioned that, “The view of the city from the roof is amazing,” while another stated, “Vancouver is a world class city and it is my favorite place to visit.”

 

3.  Eugene – I honestly think that historic Civic Stadium might have taken the No. 1 spot in this poll a year ago (it was such a nostalgic place), but the fans at P.K. Park make up for the collegiate atmosphere.  In 2010, the Ems added more in-game promotions, utilizing the new video board for in-game excitement, and added themed nights that got the franchise recognition nationally.  “Once the fans in Eugene discover that the Ems are playing on the other side of town, the atmosphere at P.K. Park should once again rival that of Civic Stadium,” said one broadcaster.  Another said, “I already miss Civic!”

 

4.  Boise – Memorial Stadium is not one of the favorite places for the broadcasters in the league, but they recognized the fans who come out to the games.  The Hawks draw nearly 85-90% capacity each night (tops in the league) and have fans who are passionate, resembling Cubs fans – heckling the opponents, booing the Boise players for a bad play.  “The view of the Boise Mountains from the press box is outstanding and the crowd likes to get into the game – although more often than not, they are talking into my ambient microphone,” said one broadcaster.

 

5.  Everett – Memorial Stadium in Everett is one of those places that has the old and new – and when the crowd comes out, it is a fun atmosphere.  The fans have the old-time manual scoreboard, while the video board was the best in the league until Vancouver installed their jumbotron this year.  I think Tom Lafferty is the best public address announcer in the league (and there are some REALLY good PA men in the NWL) and he adds to the atmosphere.  “The band-box of a ball park makes for really exciting games for broadcasters and fans,” said one broadcaster.

 

6.  Yakima – The smallest stadium in the smallest community in the NWL, yet I commend the fans in at County Stadium.  The Bears fans will stay to the very end every night, regardless of the score and I love when they have the pie-eating contests and the base sweeps – plus they kept alive the “It’s a Beautiful Day for a Ballgame” song alive, now that Eugene eliminated it.  “One thing that I enjoy watching is the video montage before the game – usually pretty entertaining,” said one broadcaster, while another said, “Best song in the league is the Yakima Bears Baseball song that is played in pregame – it gets stuck in your head.”

 

7.  Tri-City – The sunshade at Gesa Stadium can only do so much for the atmosphere in the Tri-Cities, as despite increased attendance, the crowd doesn’t get into it.  Eric “The Peanut Guy” has a blast and is one of the most creative on-field announcers in the league, and I like the “Show Me the Money” promo, but the fans do not buy into it.  “Crowd at Gesa Stadium is ultra-quiet,” said one broadcaster, while another said, “When it isn’t blowing, it is picturesque for a desert basin, but the crowd is way-way quiet.”

 

8.  Salem-Keizer – I can honestly say, there was no atmosphere at Volcanoes Stadium this year, and the other seven broadcasters agreed, Salem-Keizer received a unanimous last place vote in this category.  I have always liked the Circling of the Bases by a child before the game – but minimal in game promotions, minimal music between innings, and the hum of the interstate with a silent crowd, was monotonous.  “If I lived in Salem, I think it would be more fun to go to the library than to Volcanoes Stadium,” said one broadcaster, while another said, “If you are a mortician, you’ll like Volcanoes Stadium – the atmosphere is as if you are at a funeral.”

A survey among the eight broadcasters in the Northwest League has revealed their thoughts on the best Press Boxes in the league.

 

1. Eugene – The press box at P.K. Park earned the only one of two unanimous votes by the broadcasters in the league (the other was for the worst of something), as the newest stadium in the loop earned rave reviews for the media headquarters.  The spacious visiting booth that has temperature controls, multiple Ethernet ports, phone lines, and a great sight line to the field.  One broadcaster felt, “It is night and day between P.K. Park and Civic Stadium, although I miss the charm of the old stadium.”  Another stated simply, “A big league experience,” while a third said, “Major League level press box – but other than the lack of a wireless internet set-up, it was as perfect as it gets.”

 

2. Spokane – I would think that Avista Stadium’s press box would have been the top choice in 2009, as the sight-line from high atop the part gives one a feeling of how broadcasters must have felt at old Tiger Stadium (but make sure not to fall out the window, it is a LONG way to the bottom) – as you are literally right on top of the action.  One broadcaster stated, “It is your best opportunity in the league to get a foul ball,” while a second said, “Great view, best in the league – with a pop machine and bathroom close by.”  A third broadcaster simply said, “AAA experience in a short-season A league.”

 

3. Everett – I think the environment at Everett Memorial Stadium helps make their press box what it is.  Public Address announcer Tom Lafferty is a legend in the NWL, while the waitstaff that brings your dinner is outstanding – as is the sightlines to home plate.  “I love those clear days in which you can see the mountains in the distance,” said one broadcaster, while another mentioned, “Great view, although the internet access needs to be kicked up a notch.”

 

4. Vancouver – The box at Nat Bailey Stadium I think may be one of the next upgrades as the renovation of the park is ever-changing, as it is hard to think they used to house AAA ball.  The staff is outstanding, however, the radio booth is a bit cramped and although the sight-line to home plate is very good, it is hard to see things down the right-field line.  One broadcaster said, “Netting in front of the only untinted glass in the press box ruins the view, and the leg room is awful,” while another said, “Vancouver could be so, so, much better – should be #2, but loses points do to the inability to see part of right-field and the bullpen, and the lack of window tinting causes a legitimate hardship during day games.”

 

5. Yakima – Although the press box at County Stadium hasn’t changed much since the stadium was built in 1995, a huge upgrade a couple years ago was the installation of an Ethernet line for internet access.  The visiting radio booth is right behind home plate, with the vantage point solid.  “Has improved considerably over the years, with the most reliable internet in the league,” said one broadcaster, while a second felt, “Needs a wireless internet option.”

 

6. Tri-City – Gesa Stadium has a basic press box that has plenty of room for the visiting broadcaster, but on nights with wind and dust – the large, open air windows make it difficult to choke out the weather.  When it gets hot in Pasco, especially in pregame, the booth does not give much comfort until the sun shade kicks in – but it does have a good view of the field.  “A lack of crowd noise is a challenge during some games, while the proximity of fans can be a distraction.  I don’t think the floor has been mopped since the Posse played there,” said one broadcaster, while a second mentioned, “Fans in the box are not nearly enough to quell the heat, although I tend to lose a couple pounds during the series there.”

 

7. Salem-Keizer – The press box at Volcanoes Stadium is a great working environment for everyone but the two broadcasters – as there is plenty of room for the gameday staff and press reporters.  The visiting radio booth is a small room right on the concourse level with a poor sight-line to home plate, making it difficult to judge pitches.  Fans will congregate in front of the window (which opens up and down, making it difficult to see) – further making the view difficult.  “I sound like I’m in a warehouse, and have fans talking constantly in my crowd mic.  That is, when they aren’t standing in the way of the game on the concourse,” said one broadcaster.  Another mentioned, “Stadium architect must have designed the press box on a Friday night between 4:50 and 4:59.  I’d like to see Katie Couric do the Evening News with a kiosk set up in front of her teleprompter.”

 

8. Boise – It’s sad to say, but my home press box is at the bottom of the list.  Too far away from the playing field to get any real natural sound from the game, while the heat during the summer can be brutal – especially on nights when the wind isn’t blowing.  Having a monitor in the booth when fans block my vision has been a life-saver.  One broadcaster put it – “Fans in your crowd mic, standing in front of you in the most inopportune times.  This outdated beauty adds to it with no ventilation in the middle of the summer, frankly, it needs to be blown up and redone.”  A second felt, “The Hawks “Tree House” is the absolute worst of the worst.  Impossible to do your job when you can’t see the field.  There shouldn’t be seats directly in front of the press box.”  A third mentioned, “It is a long climb to the restrooms.”

 

A couple other tidbits from the broadcasters – many of the guys mentioned that the Northwest League should send out a memo to the press boxes to mandate better communication between the broadcasters, the scorers, and the umpires when there are line-up changes.  Another said, “With the addition of P.K. Park, four of the eight press boxes now have restrooms.  Come on guys – four hours or more sometimes can be too long to wait.”  Another also was frank – “Salem-Keizer’s uniform numbers (a slanted script number) should be outlawed.”

A survey among the eight broadcasters in the Northwest League has revealed their thoughts on the best Press Box Food in the league.

 

1.  Everett – The Aquasox have the most diverse menu in the league, as anything that is on their menu is available to eat – from chili or clam chowder in a bread bowl, Quiznos subs, to hot dogs, hamburgers, and pizza.  What makes it even more impressive, is there are waitresses that handle your order.  “The fact that I can have Ivar’s clam chowder at the ball park sets Everett apart,” said one broadcaster.

 

2. Yakima – The Bears are a close second, in fact, had more first-place votes than Everett.  Although the options at County Stadium are not as diverse as Everett – the quality is outstanding.  The philly cheesesteak is outstanding, their new sweet/sour or teriyaki chicken is the best in the league, and the Boomer Dog (pictured right) is a behemoth.  “The addition of the teriyaki bowl was the best addition in the league.  I love eating there,” stated one broadcaster.  You are on your own here to get food, but it is always free.

 

3. Vancouver – I enjoy the chicken strips (pictured left)  in Vancouver, while the sweet and spicy dipping sauce is outstanding.  The addition of Nathan’s hot dogs – including a foot long one, has improved the quality at Nat Bailey Stadium.  One thing I liked was the ability to get some popcorn or peanuts for the mid-late innings.  “There is always someone there to take my food order,” said one broadcaster, while another mentioned, “Their food selection has dwindled the last couple years, and the loss of beer in the press box was a downer.”

 

4. Eugene – For me, the diversity of the meal in Eugene was limited this year (with the move to PK Park) – as I used to love the burritos or the Hometown Heroes sandwiches.  However, there was always plenty of BBQ available (hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken) – and I always have been a fan of the potato salad.  One broadcaster commented, “Good variety, but it doesn’t last long,” while another said, “It is a good spread, but it may or may not be out there before I go on the air.”

 

5. Spokane – PR director Joseph handles the pregame order for the radio staff, typically hamburgers or hot dogs, although I love their BBQ chicken sandwich or the teriyaki bowl at Avista Stadium.  Others do not share the same sentiments, as one stated “Burger, cold hot dog, burger – that’s a three-game feel; I feel sorry for the five-game guys,” while another stated, “Sometimes it shows up pregame, sometimes in the fifth inning.”

 

6.  Boise – I get the opportunity to have the pregame meal 38 times a year at Memorial Stadium and you get the rotation down.  Caesar chicken wrap, pizza, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, burgers – probably some of the more diverse food in the league (if only the Caesar didn’t have tomatoes on it).  One broadcaster stated, “Some healthy choices once in a while and the food is always there before I go on the air,” while another said, “Greasy pizza and a cold chicken wrap where you take your intestinal health in your hands.”

 

7. Tri-City – Hot Dogs, Hot Dogs, and more Hot Dogs – although the hot dog is good and the Sweet Onion mustard (pictured left) on the concourse is a must, while the final game of a series usually sees a hamburger or chicken sandwich – but they need more that ketchup and mustard.  “Hot dogs for five days is a stretch,” said one broadcaster, while another said, “Hot dogs, Again?”  A third stated, “Hot dogs, fountain pop, and finally, water.”

 

8. Salem-Keizer – In the past, I remember a pre-game spread at Volcanoes Stadium, say eight hot dogs or eight burgers, or a huge plate of nachos.  This year, it was a mishmash of food – and if you didn’t know it came, you may be out of luck, and there was soda provided just one of the five days.  I like their Asian cuisine at the park, but it hasn’t found its way into the booth.  One broadcaster stated “They do the minimum, sometimes less, but it is okay,” while another commented, “What pregame meal?”

 

Coming up, the broadcasters rank the Best Press Boxes in the Northwest League.

Each of the eight play-by-play broadcasters in the Northwest League have a great rapport with one another – as all of us have to deal with similar issues throughout the long grind of a 76-game season.  Bob Robertson of the Spokane Indians has called games for over five decades, Pat Dillon of Everett has called more Northwest League games than any other current NWL radioman.  Mike Boyle of Tri-City doubles as a hockey broadcaster, Chris Fisher of Eugene will call USC men’s basketball. Drew Bondetelli of Yakima calls Cal Poly athletics – while two other broadcasters work in their club’s front office – Rob Fai is one of Vancouver’s assistant GM’s, Matt Pedersen of Salem-Keizer is the head of their sales-staff.

We all eat the same food, we all stay at the same hotels, we all work from the same radio booth – some of us in the same booth 38 times, 5 or 6 times in the other seven cities.  We watch the same on-field promotions, we see the big crowds and the small, we all share a similar seat on the bus.

So I thought – let’s see how we all feel about five different aspects of the Northwest League – Best Team Hotel, Best Press Box, Best Stadium, Best Pre Game Meal, Best Overall Atmosphere.  Each broadcaster ranked the teams in the league 1-8 – the best team getting eight points and the worst one, plus giving some comments about the topics.

Some of the comments are outstanding, some are funny, some are directed at front office staff as a way to help improve the situation.  No names will be mentioned – but came from one of us eight.

Look for the results of the poll throughout the final two weeks of the season.

NOTES: A sloppy game in the Tri-Cities last night, but it ended in a victory for the Hawks – their four win this season when trailing heading into the eighth inning.  Arismendy Alcantara made up for an error in the bottom of the seventh that led to two unearned runs that gave the Dust Devils the lead by blooping an RBI single to tie the score with two outs in the eighth.  Elliot Soto followed with an RBI single in the ninth to give Boise the win.  After a six-day layoff, Jordan Latham tossed a 1-2-3- eighth to get the win, with Steve Grife locking down the save.

BATTING RACE: It is a two-horse race for the NWL Batting Title – Alvaro Ramirez comes into Thursday hitting .355, while Pierre LePage, who is 14 for his last 26, has raised his average to .346.  LePage actually lost a hit last night – as his infield single in the ninth inning that started the Boise rally, was changed to an error (which led to an interesting exchange in the clubhouse following the game – with pitching coach Jeff Fassero finally exclaiming “When it happened, I thought it was an error.”)

STEALING FRENZY: The Hawks stole seven bases in seven tries last night against Tri-City catcher, Josh Powers.  Since 2003 (as far back as my stats databases go), Boise hasn’t swiped that many bags in a game – as the team stolen six bases in a game during the 2007 season.  LePage had three steals, with Soto, Alcantara, Ramirez, and Dustin Harrington each having one.

PROMOTIONS: A couple former Hawks earning promotions this week – a 2008 Hawks Chris Carpenter and Luke Sommer were called up to the Iowa Cubs, while 2009 Hawk Trey McNutt got the call to the Tennessee Smokies.

We are back in the good ol’ USA – albeit sitting in limbo for a good 45 minutes at the U.S.-Canadian border.  I always wonder where you truly are when the bus is sitting outside of customs, you have gone through customs, but cannot leave the waiting area until they clear the bus – are you in the U.S. or Canada?

While in Vancouver, we noticed that TSN (the Canadians version of ESPN) carried WWE’s Monday Night Raw – which got the entire clubhouse rolling on Monday night when wrestler Daniel Bryan (or others have called him Brian Danielson) showed up to interfere with John Cena’s match (how I know the names – I don’t know, since I haven’t watched sports entertainment since college).

He seemed like an average wrestler that the fans seemed to like – but then, our health and fitness staff made the comments that set off the room.  Both A.J. Larson and Yi Chang Chiang made it clear that Daniel Bryan was indeed a look-alike to current Peoria Chiefs athletic trainer and 2009 Boise Hawks athletic trainer Dan Golden. 

They talked how Dan during the offseason sported a beard, just like Daniel Bryan has in the picture.  The entire clubhouse went nuts – this is even after a 7-0 drubbing to the Canadians.

So – put a little facial hair on the picture of Dan and do you see the wrestler?  You be the judge?

TRIP NOTES: After a long pit stop in the thriving metropolis of Zillah, Wash., last night at a local mini-mart (you should have seen the look on the lone clerk when a bus chock full of starved baseball players rolled out at 10:30 in the evening), the team arrived at our newest destination – the Tri-Cities.  We are on the backside of the trip.

PLAYOFF HOPES GOING, GOING, GON(E): At one point in the season, the Hawks were sitting at 19-14, alone in first-place in the Northwest League’s East Division.  A month has past, and so have the winning ways, as Boise has dropped 22 of their last 31 games – losing the first-half race to Spokane and now trailing Yakima by eight games, with just 12 games left on the slate.  As I mentioned to Richard Jones during our pit stop last night, although the postseason chances have faded – the Hawks can definitely factor in who meets Spokane in the NWL playoffs. 

A second afternoon game awaits the Boise Hawks today in Vancouver, before the exodus from our favorite country to the North begins.  Which will be very interesting, since it will be the first time that we have crossed into the United States since our government began its border enforcement in January.  Hopefully – it will go as smooth as it did coming into Canada.  We also hope that our rooms are ready when we get to Kennewick this evening…the odds are 5:1 that they won’t be.

We are set to leave Vancouver and the good weather arrives – temperatures today in the province is set to be 25 – or as my colleague Bob Robertson would say “double the temperature and add 32 and you’ll get the temperature” – so it is supposed to be 82 (if my math is correct).

Yesterday I had the opportunity to take a video to show fans the interesting trek to the pressbox at Scotiabank Field (at Nat Bailey Stadium), traversing the narrow stairwell to the roof – with the outstanding views:  

 

This morning, prior to making the hike to the press box, I had the opportunity to take a video from outside of the stadium – allowing you the opportunity to see the classic look of a ballpark that housed teams in the Western International League (the precursor to the NWL) and teams from the Pacific Coast League – when Vancouver was a AAA franchise.  Notice the concourse is alot like the old-time ballparks – Wrigley Field and Fenway Park…

 

ANOTHER GREAT INTERN:  A few days ago, we talked about the great staff they have here with the C’s – from radio-man Rob Fai (who doubles as an assistant GM), to their Diamond-Vision staff.  But I forgot to mention probably the most unique one of the bunch – that being media relations intern Jeremy Knight.  Jeremy handles all of the basic things that an PR intern does – the same things that Bryan Moses, Onalee Carson, and Chad Bates have done for Kristen Nimmo and myself the last few years.  The one thing that sets Jeremy apart from the rest – he is 15-years-old.  That’s right, he is still in high school (or secondary school, as they call it up here).  For the previous five years, he was a contributor to the C’s “unofficial” blog, NatNotes – which was one of my favorite sites to visit (even though I was a topic of conversation for a few years thanks to an on-air incident about A’s catcher Landon Powell in 2004).  But the work he puts out, the interviews that he produces for CanadiansTV, is as good, if not better, than most in the minors.  As he told me yesterday, his goal is to be the next Bob Costas.  He also introduced me to their “kicked up” version of chicken strips last night – lathered in Franks Hot Sauce.

POWER SURGE IN THE LEAGUE: An interesting statistical nugget from the season is that the teams with the parks that typically yield the fewest number of home runs are not in their annual #7 and #8 slots in the league.  Tri-City has hammered 38 home runs this season, second only to the 58 by Everett and 39 by Spokane – both who play 43 games a year in hitters parks.  Vancouver, usually last in the loop in the category, has 29 homers – including four in this series.  The two teams at the bottom – the Hawks with 21 and Eugene with just 16.

 

And without further adieu – a look at the Vancouver Canadians “Sushi Race” – 2010 Edition.