As I ventured south toward Evansville, the humidity index gained steam. The temperature upon arriving at the stadium for the Otters' game with the Windy City ThunderBolts was 99 degrees. I'm not complaining, just setting the backdrop for game four of the seven-game trek - all right, I'm complaining a tad.Anyone that's gone to an Evansville game in the last 94 years or so, has enjoyed the national pastime at Bosse Field. In fact, folks don't usually mention Bosse Field today without using the word "historic". It is a circular, all-brick structure with an entirely covered grandstand. Built in 1915, it is the third oldest stadium in professional use in the country, trailing only Wrigley Field and Fenway Park. Pretty good company. A lot of people will recognize it as the away venue in the movie "A League of Their Own", starring Tom Hanks, Madonna, and Rosie O'Donnell. To keep that era alive, owner Bill Bussing has put his ushers and performers in garb that harkens back to the WWII years. So, if you're looking for a glimpse of baseball history, make a stop at Bosse Field and watch the Otters bring it to life.
On Wednesday, Evansville fans celebrated a birthday of one of the city's native sons. Marvin Gray is a fixture at the Otters' g
ames, sitting in the middle of the grandstand and cheering on his beloved team. Marvin, who turned 68, keeps a notebook at his seat with all of the information he needs to be an informed afficionado of the Frontier League. More important, shortly after the Otters joined the League in 1995, making them the senior member of the circuit, Commissioner Bill Lee appointed Marvin as the FL's Flag Chairman, recognizing Marvin's unfailing ability to raise Old Glory before each contest, exactly timed to the music. During the game Wednesday, play was stopped and the entire crowd sang happy birthday to Marvin. Let me add my own salute to one of the League's most-loved figures, Happy Birthday, Mr. Flag Chairman!One of the best player stories of the season is the roster spot gained by Evansville's Tom Mueller. Tom was a college intern last summer for the Otters, doing his job well enough to be asked back as a full-time employee upon his graduation from Ball State University in May.
At Ball State, he was a member of the Cardinals' baseball squad, a left-handed reliever who sported a 1.46 ERA in 29 appearances this spring. When he got to Evansville to start his office job, he found out that the team needed some help in the bullpen and he asked to audition for Manager Wayne Krenchicki. Wayne was impressed and signed Tom to his first professional contract. The native of Westfield, Indiana has yet to garner a decision in his seven relief stints, but this incredible story is only in its early chapters.If you listened to last night's broadcast of the Otters-ThunderBolts game, you actually heard a combined effort. Evansville play-by-play announcer Curtis Bryant invited his opposite number, Chad Cooper, to join him in the home booth for a dual (duel?) simulcast of the game. Curtis is in his first year with Evansville, while Chad, an FL award-winner, was very comfortable at Bosse, having been the Otters' broadcaster earlier in the decade.
Short trip today, as I head west to Marion, Illinois for tonight's game between the host Southern Illinois Miners and the Rockford RiverHawks. See you there!
