West Virgina Power News List

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Surf's Up...

Lakewood.  I'm a big fan.

It may help that the Power have played very well against the BlueClaws this season.  It may help that the ballpark is one of the best in the league.  It most definitely helps that they have fish tacos.


FirstEnergy Park was built to help lure more Minor League Baseball into New Jersey.  As far as I can tell, at the time the park was built in 2001, there were two affiliated clubs; the Double-A Trenton Thunder and the Short-Season New Jersey Cardinals.  The Cardinals moved to State College in 2006, so the tally dropped back to two and has remained there.  

Lakewood Township is fairly close to the Jersey Shore, so they play up on their beach-front property.  You can walk the whole way around this park on the concourse with a picnic area under the scoreboard in left-center and stop by the tiki hut for a beverage in right-center.

They also have a taco stand down the right field line.  Surf Taco.  We will get back to that.

As mentioned, the Power have played the BlueClaws well.  West Virginia swept a four game series at home the week prior and went on to take three out of four this weekend.  The bats came alive with a handful of home runs in a predominantly pitcher-friendly park, including one by Stetson Allie that cleared the walkway and banked off an ad billboard in center.

Winning always helps after a long haul on the bus.  This trip clocks in at about nine hours with a stop in Cumberland Maryland for dinner.

During this trip, I also had the chance to spend some time with my friend Shawn.  He lives in New York on Long Island and made the drive down to spend some time with me.  We got a bite to eat after Thursday's game at Baker's Water Street Bar and Grille in Toms River.  The Pennsylvanian in me saw an item on the menu that could not be resisted.

Shrimp and Cheese Perogies.

Unfortunately... all the shrimp was on top and not tucked inside.  I did, however, clear the plate.  Cooked onions and all.  

Baker's Street also had a DJ on that night.  Playing a strange mix of music that no one was dancing to.  Nor was he going to draw the crowd in.  Shawn and I both started in the terrestrial radio industry, so we had a good conversation about this.

On Friday...  18 holes of pure hell...  I mean...  fun in 95 degree heat.


Here is Shawn with a tee shot that no doubt went right down the middle... or in the middle of way right.


After Friday night's game, Shawn and I hit Seaside Heights.  The beach community and home to many a Jersey Shore TV episode is an interesting place.  Multi-level motels with what was certain to be hoards of under-age drinkers partying on the balconies, walkways, stairs, and any place else the could stand. 

It prompted this tweet from my seldom-used Twitter account.

Adam MarcoHanging out at the Jersey Shore... Way to old/ preppy/ insert any adjective here. GTL... Got To Laydown.

On Saturday, Shawn headed back to the city and I took the late bus.  After a two mile walk, I spent my Saturday afternoon in an air conditioned theater watching Now You See Me.  Good movie if you find the time.

Lakewood is always memorable for another reason.  Their manager is Mickey Morandini.  Mickey grew up in Leechburg, PA, which is my hometown.  We went to different high schools, but there are certainly enough connections to have a good conversation with him.  Summers spent at the Leechburg Pool...  Relatives of mine that grew up with him...  a Pirates fan...  the Williamsport Crosscutters (he is a former manager and I a former broadcaster there).  I interviewed him for the second time in as many seasons and will post that when we hit Lakewood in late June.  We talk about his unassisted triple play against the Buccos in 1992.

One more thing about FirstEnergy Park...  The BlueClaws do take care of its' press box staff with food that I was welcome to partake of, but after we discovered Surf Taco, I couldn't resist. First up is a pic I took while waiting for my food one of those three days I ate there.


And lastly...  a Mahi bowl with rice, pico de gallo, avacado, pineapple, and chips.


Yeah...  I crushed that and I'll never have another bad day.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Some Things Go South...

I know I am long overdue for an update and I do apologize.  I have a few stories to pass along today as we were rained out in Delmarva.  I want to start by going back to our short road trip to Kannapolis.

We played a series in North Carolina in late May.  A few things stood out while we were there.


Minor League Baseball attendance is once again skyrocketing, but it doesn't seem to have improved in Kannapolis.  I know it seems like I could have taken these pictures in the middle of the day.  Unfortunately, I took these about 25 minutes before first pitch during Monday night's first game.  I don't mean for this to be a knock on the Intimidators or their staff...  though the next part might come across the wrong way.


I noticed one other oddity about halfway through the game.  There was no emcee.  There were zero contests between innings.  One song was played in between innings and that was it.  This industry thrives on fan entertainment and interaction.

Even if you aren't expecting a large crowd, it seems to me that you want to entertain the audience you do get so they are more apt to coming to another game.  That is just my take.  There are reasons behind every decision and that is one thing I won't question.

As for food on this trek south...  well let's just say not every place can be a culinary win.  Using TripAdvisor, I chose the #10 restaurant in Concord, which is where our hotel is located.

Mayflower Seafood Restaurant was the only top ten option within walking distance.  I took the mile and a half walk with plans to go see the new Star Trek movie afterwards.

In describing this restaurant to a few people, I suggested it was like a love child between Long John Silvers and Hoss's.  Then some friends asked what Hoss's was.  To which I explained that Hoss's is what would happen if Golden Coral had a food baby with Texas Roadhouse.


Deep fried everything.


Here is one difference between the "north" and the "south."  In the north, our malt vinegar is in the bottle and our tartar sauce is in the packets.


I'm leaving you on a down note this time.  As you know, my wife was in a fender bender early in the month.  On Memorial Day, I was in a car accident.  100% my fault for complete stupidity.  My father kept telling me to stop beating myself up for this accident, but I can't let it go.

Plenty of damage to metal, plastic, and insurance rates.  Fortunately, everyone involved left the scene without a scratch.  I'm learning from this incident.  Among other things, never stop paying attention to the details.


I hope I'll never have another bad day.