BOWIE BAYSOX VS. HARRISBURG SENATORS

Home of the Bowie Baysox

We drove out to Bowie, Maryland for a minor league baseball game between the Harrisburg Senators and the Bowie Baysox at Prince George's Stadium. These teams play at the AA level in the Eastern League. The Senators are affiliated with the Washington Nationals and the Baysox are affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles. It took about thirty mintues to make the twenty mile trip to Bowie from our hotel in Washington DC.

Shannon sits in a sea of empty seats

Prince George's Stadium is a fan-friendly park with free parking, reasonable prices (with the exception of a $30+ price tag on a couple of their team caps), better food options than most ballparks, and good views of the game from every seat. The ballpark employees are friendly and courteous.

Bowie is a city of about 54,000 in Prince George's County between Baltimore and Washington. George and I saw a game here in 2009 when the Baysox hosted the Akron Aeros (a farm club of the Cleveland Indians). That was a cool night in May with a game that was well attended despite periodic rain showers. This was a Friday night game when one would expect a solid turnout but the place was mostly empty. The primary reason was the miserable weather. The hot temperatures (over 100 degrees) and high humidity made it uncomfortable to be outside. In addition, there were power outages all over the state that were triggered by the heat wave. We were determined to go, so from our perspective the weather and power problems provided shorter waits in line and better seats.

A standing 8-count for the pitcher

The game was sloppy but competitive. There was a scary moment when a line drive off the bat of one of the Senators struck Bowie's pitcher in the chest. After a long injury timeout during which the pitcher was checked over by the team's trainer, the pitcher stayed in the game. The next batter he faced blasted a three-run homer. Harrisburg's three runs were enough. They held on for a 3-2 victory despite committing four errors and allows six bases on balls. Bowie had plenty of chances but couldn't get the big hits when they were most needed.

One of the best stadium ad signs ever

Almost as enjoyable as the game were the foot-long hot dogs at the Black Angus Grille, the fresh squeezed lemonade, and chatting with the neighborly park employees. Perhaps the most humorous event of the night was a between-innings game in which the contestant had to throw a Nerf football through a large toilet seat (on one of the stadium ads) to win a prize. All things considered, it was enjoyable night despite the stifling heat and humidity.

The Senators warm up in the staggering heat.

The Senators bat in the top of the first inning.

The Baysox aim to take an early lead

A shot through the hole may score the runner from second base...

The Baysox grab a 1-0 lead.

The Senators shut down the rally after surrendering one run.

The Baysox needed their lighthouse to guide some runners home.

It appears the ballpark was built in a forest.

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The kids love the carousel.

It's like hitting a knuckler.

More stuff for kids - the bounce house.

Throw the Nerf football through the toilet seat and win a prize!

My big kid still loves the mascots.

The potential tying run was stranded at third.

The final score.