I've made it to Rockford, Illinois for the start of the FL All-Star Game hoopla. The traveling carnival is staying at the Clock Tower Resort and everyone appears to be in good spirits. For the players, it will be the first time that they've had more than a one-day break from the action since the season began in May.
The first thing on the schedule today is the luncheon here at the Clock Tower. That's when the Commish Bill Lee gets to give a speech to the assembled throng. He'll probably talk about his professional baseball career and how he was a .370 lifetime hitter - .190 his first year and .180 his second year. Actually, he was a better player than he likes to let on, but it makes for good material. If you ever get the chance, you should ask him about the day, with Ted Turner in the stands, he switch-hit against a switch-thrower in a showcase for Braves' farmhands.
Tonight, there's a lot of fun stuff going on at Road Ranger Stadium in nearby Loves Park. A bunch of celebs will be at the ballpark to take part in the Cubs/White Sox Legends Game, followed by the FL's annual home run derby. The great thing about all of it is that the participants, both legends and FL soon-to-be legends, will be available for autographs and baseball conversation in and around the activities. If ever there is a theme running in the Frontier League, it's accessibility to the action and to the players, the way baseball used to be.
Hope to see you at an All-Star event in the next couple of days. Should be good fodder for the ol' blog.
