OREM OWLS VS. CASPER GHOSTS

Groundskeepers prepare the field for play
at Brent Brown Ballpark in Orem, UT

Orem is Utah's sixth largest city, located about 45 miles south of Salt Lake City and adjacent to Provo. Orem is on the eastern shore of Utah Lake and near Mt. Timpanogos of Utah's Wasatch Mountain Range. It is also home to Utah Valley University and the Orem Owlz of the Pioneer League, a farm club of the Anaheim Angels. (No, I'm not buying into that Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim nonsense.)


We came to Orem to see a game between the local Orem Owls and the visiting Casper Ghosts from Casper, Wyoming. The Owlz play their home games at Brent Brown Ballpark on the Utah Valley University Campus. I don't know if it's because of the prevailing Mormonism or campus rules but beer is not sold at Orem Owlz games. Beer-free pro baseball? Very rare indeed!

The Wasatch Mountains provide a beautiful
background for games played in Orem, Utah

We stopped by early to see the ballpark and buy our tickets. We returned later for the game after checking into our hotel and enjoying an afternoon nap. Brent Brown Ballpark (named for a local auto dealer who is paying the university $1 million per year for ten years to have his name on it) is a fine place to see a game. There are good seats and sight lines for us seam-heads, a kids play area for little ones who won't sit still for long, and beautiful summer weather.

Tonight's game was dominated by the pitchers with the Owlz coming out on top, 3-2. There were several spectacular defensive plays by both teams.

Brent Brown Ballpark in Orem, Utah

The groundskeepers' work area at Brent Brown Ballpark

Empty grandstands before the game.

The groundskeepers have the park looking great.

It's a beautiful day in Orem, Utah.

The scoreboard beyond the rightfield fence.

Another view of the scoreboard

The stupid Giants think Pac-Fudge Park offers the best scenery in baseball.

This park is nice even when it doesn't have a game.

Utah Valley University and the Wasatch Mountains in the background.

Pickoff attempt at first base.

Check swing.

Swing and a miss and at a low pitch.

The Owlz' pitcher delivers.

The Ghosts' runner strolls into second base.

The batter attempts to bunt.

A kids' play zone sits behind a grass berm down the leftfield line.

Pow!

The Ghosts' runner takes his lead from third base.

They're not gonna get 'im!

The park looks much better with a game going on.

This Owl couldn't lay off the high cheese.

The Ghost's pitcher rocks back

The Owlz get their second triple of the inning.

An Owl scampers toward home plate.

The Owlz' runner seeks to break up the double play.

The runner turns around second and heads for third.

The Ghosts' runner gets a huge lead.

Pitching change.

Hootz is one of the Owlz' two mascots.

Shannon & Uncle George enjoy the game.

Minor league baseball games feature goofy contests between innings.

The Owlz hold an early lead.

A view from the other side of the park.

Part of the kids' play area.

The Bounce House.

The kids can't resist Holly, the other team mascot besides Hootz.

A good turnout for a Thursday night in Orem.

Lots of people choose to sit on the grass berm instead of in a seat.

The Supreme Commander and Holly.

Even some of the big kids can't resist Holly.

Sunset turns the clouds orange in Orem.