By Josh:
A lot of baseball fans have baseball bucket lists. They normally include seeing a game at every MLB stadium, going to the Hall of Fame, and really anything that can be used as an excuse to go see more baseball.
This summer I’ve been able to check off two things off of my baseball bucket list, one of which wasn’t even on my bucket list until this year.
In June I had the opportunity to watch the Single-A All-Star game that put the California League up against the Carolina League. The game was hosted by the Rancho Cucamongo Quakes. It was a great event and I loved it.
My second check off of the bucket list came this week. Tuesday night was the first ever meeting of the Northwest League All-Stars and the Pioneer League All-Stars occurred in Spokane, WA at Avista Field.
Now this wasn’t on my bucket list until this year because this game had never existed. Now that it does exist I am excited for the fact that I got to attend the first of what I hope to be many All-Star games between these two leagues.
The All-Star event was an amazing one for me and I’m pretty sure most everyone else who was in attendance.
The stadium was an amazing stadium, I’ll talk about this more in my stadium review. The activities that were available for the fans during the fan fest time were great; bouncy houses for the kids, whiffle ball stadium, autograph sessions.
The excitement in the workers and fans was extremely positive, relaxed and amazing.
And although the game was an amazing game, ended in a walk off in the 10th inning, it was the Home Run Derby that stole the show for me. I had missed the opportunity to watch the MLB Home Run Derby this year so I hadn’t seen the new timed format, but after seeing it at this all-star game I LOVE IT.
The six players chosen to compete in the inaugural Northwest League vs Pioneer League Home Run Derby tore the cover off the ball. Not only that but the packed stadium was alive and cheering the entire derby.
Overall this all-star game was more enjoyable for me than the High-A game I went to this year and the AAA All-Star game I went to a few years ago in Portland. I don’t know where the game will be held over the next couple of years but I will definitely try and make it out to another one of these all-star games.
Check out photos from the All-Star Pregame Festivities