You can't tell by looking at it, but this ticket got me admission to two games. A make-up double header for the price of a single game between the Windy City Thunderbolts and the visiting Kalamazoo Kings in the Frontier League. You don't see that in the major leagues any more. On top of that, double headers are only 7-inning games. Looking forward to two quick games.
The Thunderbolts work early to get on base with an unsuspecting bunt.
The Kings are in the field and pitching in the road greys and black jerseys. Classic stirrup look.
Thunderbolts now swinging away.
Many games have had the dizzy bat race where two fans spin in circles around a bat and then have to run down the line, usually falling over and often knocking each other over. At Windy City, they added a twist and gave the guys over sized golf clubs and after spinning, they had to run down the line and hit a golf ball. Same desired effect as these guys both fell over before hitting the over sized golf balls.
This was a first, instead of a three-legged race, they had the three people to one over sized pair of underwear race. The girls worked as a team much better than the boys.
Here's a view down the right field line. You can see the fan deck and the pennants for the forerunner, the Chicago Cheetahs sole championship and the two recent Thunderbolt titles on the facing.
Here's a high up view of the field. Standard Bank Stadium actually has a second deck on the left field side of the park creating a very asymmetrical look to the ballpark.
The first game moved fast and was uneventful until the 7th inning (remember only play 7-innings). The home team was down 2-1 with two men on and two outs. All-Star J.T. Restko was at the plate and drove a ball to right field. Both runners came and around and it was going to be very close at the plate...
And the Thunderbolts win in walk-off fashion. J.T. Restko gets the game winning RBI and heads up, aggressive base running does the rest.
It's party time at the park! But not for long.
As soon as the grounds crew can get the field put back in game condition, the second game was slated to start. The ground crew got busy and worked the mound, the home plate area, dragged the infield and put down clean lines. Lots of work in a short time.
In my best Jesse "The Body" Ventura announcing voice "Oh no, is that Jimmy "Mouth of the South" Hart throwing out the first pitch?" Yes indeed, Jimmy Hart of 1990's WWF managing fame threw out the first pitch of the second game. He was in town promoting some minor league wrestling event and came out to the game to fire up the crowd. He was even spotted walking around the stadium with his customary bullhorn.
Setting sun as the night stretches into the second game. This is the upper deck on the left field side of the park against the sunset.
Classic view behind home, now at night.
View from the first base line. This game was also close, but Windy City jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead, which they managed to head for the sweep of the double header. When I wandered out along the first base line I found a group of guys wearing shirts saying "The Pole Guys" and they congregated aroudn the base of one of the light poles. Based onthe reception they were receiving they definitely were regular fans of the Thunderbolts.
View of Standard Bank Stadium from the parking lot. The second deck is clearly visible here.
The home team hat. Another Zephyr model, with a simple monogram logo and a two tone color scheme.
It was also Pint Glass giveaway night featuring a pint glass commemorating the Back-to-Back Championships that Windy City has posted the last two years.
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