Stuck in the Elevator

Well, I had an interesting experience earlier today. For the first time in my life, I got stuck in an elevator.

I arrived at Parkview Field, and took the service elevator up to the suite/press box level. I would normally take the stairs, but my experiences at Parkview Field have been that doors are always locked, and this elevator is usually the only way to get upstairs as early as I arrive.

Anyhow, I hit the "2" button and head on up. Everything was running smoothly at first, which is a good thing since I really had to use the restroom. Well, as it turns out, we get to the second floor and the door starts to open. After opening about 3 inches, it just stops, sits there for a minute, and then closes and the elevator does nothing.

After a moment of panic, I hit a different floor button to see if the elevator moves. Nope!

I can hear voices outside, so I bang on the door, but apparently they can't hear me. I ring the bell, but that doesn't attract the attention I was hoping for.

Finally, I ring the emergency call button, and talk to a very nice lady on the other end, telling her that my name is Owen and explaining to her that I was stuck in the elevator. She asks me if I'm stuck in elevator number two, to which I reply that I have no clue since I don't actually work here and don't know what the elevator number is. She says okay and hangs up.

A few minutes later, after starting to sweat and hoping that my bladder will hold out, I hear a voice on the other side of the door saying "Hold on, Owen. We'll get you out." I had never really doubted that I was stuck for good, but it's still reassuring to hear someone say that they'll get me out. It didn't take long at all for him to pry open the door, releasing me to the free world yet again.

All in all, I was actually only in the elevator for about 10 minutes, so it really wasn't that big of a deal. I'm just thrilled to find out that I'm the first person to ever get stuck in a Parkview Field elevator -- at least according to the security people that I spoke with later to unlock the door to the stairs so I didn't have to go back on the elevator.

Personally, I think the TinCaps should offer a ribbon or commemorative plaque of some sort. I'll settle for a free hot dog during the game tonight.

All-Star Game Recap

Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my camera with me to Fort Wayne, so I don't have any pictures of my own to share with you all. Instead, I will provide links to some other photos taken from the game and share my thoughts on the experience in general.

I did take one picture with my phone. This was the view from our seats just to the third base side of home plate. The picture is of Matt Davidson batting in the first inning against West starter Trey McNutt.

Here are some photo galleries online. This one is from the Midwest League and focuses mostly on the Day One festivities, such as the Home Run Derby and Skills Challenge. Davidson hit eight homers in the first round before being eliminated in the second round of the Derby. Chris Owings participated in the Infield Throwing competition and Tyson Van Winkle finished in a three-way tie for first in the Catcher's Throwing competition.

This gallery is from the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette and has action shots from the game, including one of Chris, while the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel has more game shots and photos from the pre-game festivities. Finally, here are the photos that Owen took of Parkview Field last season.

Obviously the game was the main highlight, but the between-inning entertainment was also very fun. There was a dancing bat boy, Myron Noodleman, and the Zooperstars (my personal favorite). Each act brought many laughs throughout the crowd and Chris Owings even busted a move on the field.

All in all, the All-Star game was a great experience. Sorry again for the lack of original photos, but I hope these links are enough to help you get a picture of what it was like.

Photos from Fort Wayne - Part Five

The press box. Notice the seats right in front of the windows. If a fan in the last row stands up, their head blocks my view of home plate. Good for the fans...bad for the broadcaster. I had a fan standing in front of me for about 5 pitches today, and it was simply awkward. To give you an idea of how close he was to me, if we both reached out our arms, we could have exchanged a hand shake without either one of us straining to reach the other person. Clearly, he was listening to every word I said.


Another slight oddity of the ballpark. I am standing on the field when I took this picture. This is the walkway that both teams and the umpires all use to get onto the field. It's located close to home plate, right next to the home dugout on the first base side. When building the stadium, the TinCaps couldn't build a tunnel on the third base side because of some underground pipes, so both teams have to use the same tunnel to go back to the locker rooms. This could make for some unique situations after particularly fiesty games. Oh, and if you are the visiting team, take the ramp and the door on the right.


The first row seats actually sit down a bit from the field, so you actually look up to the players on the field.


The team store, located directly behind home plate.


Finally, all the trash cans have TinCaps helmets on them. Nice touch.

Photos from Fort Wayne - Part Four

Tables down the left field line. Very similar to the right field picnic area, just different types of tables and seats.


One more look at the video board and the seats in right field.


Kids play area, with a rock climbing wall. The inflatable games weren't blown up at this time as it was well before the gates opened, but you can see them in a heap in the background. Definitely a fun time for the kids.


The field, from left.


The field, from center.

Photos from Fort Wayne - Part Three

A huge concourse beyond the centerfield fence, and a back entrance to the stadium (This is inside the stadium, which explains why the letters are backwards. They are obviously readable as you enter the stadium from the street).


A fountain that is within the ballparks gates in deep, deep, deep centerfield. Notice the huge concourse again. I think you could put up basketball goals and have enough room for a full court in this area beyond centerfield.


Standing on the concourse, shooting straight up at the huge video board.


A look at the lawn sections beyond the outfield wall.


The field, from beyond the right field fence.

Photos from Fort Wayne - Part Two

Beyond the outfield wall in right, taking a picture of the large picnic table area down the right field line. I don't know exactly how many tables there are here, but obviously you could have a large outing in this section with plenty of room for everyone.


From the concourse, aiming at the parking garage that has the gigantic video board on it. The video board is the second largest in all of minor league baseball.


The right field corner. Notice the seats to the right of the video board, which I would imagine would feel like a cross between a bleacher bum and a wrigley rooftop section. I like it. I'd like to watch a game from here once...that is, if I didn't have to broadcast.


The field, from the concourse across from the first base bag.


This is one of the coolest parts of the stadium. I am standing on the concourse taking this picture, in an area that is accessible to every fan with a ticket. The shot is of the indoor batting cages. So if you get there early, you can hang out by the indoor cages, and watch the teams take extra hitting practice or work on some drills, particularly if the weather is bad and outdoor BP has been cancelled. Really cool feature to the park.

Photos from Fort Wayne - Part One

As usual, I walked around the field and took some photos. Here is the latest visit to Parkview Field in Fort Wayne, the home of the TinCaps.


My view from the visitor's radio booth. Simply gorgeous. Yes, the grass is a bit rough around home plate and the pitcher's mound, but a lot of games have been played here in a short period of time (including high school games), so it's been under a lot of stress. Aside from that, it's simply a beautiful ballpark.


The suite looked so nice and new that I was afraid to walk in. So I took this picture from outside the suite door, but it gives you an idea of the basic setup. You can just barely see the couch on the left side of the room.


A large lobby area directy behind home plate. From what I can figure, the fans that sat in the rows directly in front of the press box would have access to this area during the game.


The bar area just behind the lobby pictured above. This looks like it belongs in an upscale restaurant in NYC, not in a stadium in Fort Wayne. And no offense meant to Fort Wayne with that comment...it doesn't seem to belong in any park. It's way too nice.


A buffet line/serving area behind the press box. This isn't for media food, but rather for large groups that would meet/gather in this area.

Phone Line and Photos

1) I understand that the broadcast kept dropping out last night, for periods ranging from 5-15 seconds. This is the same problem we had in Lansing earlier this season, and again, it's not with my equipment, but rather with the phone line used to broadcast the games. I checked with other broadcasters, and I'm not the only one that has had this problem in Fort Wayne.

I will try to take whatever steps I can tomorrow to avoid this, but ultimately, it's out of my hands. My sincerest apologies, but if I can do anything to make it better, trust me, I will.

2) Parkview Field is beautiful. I will take photos tomorrow and probably will post them tomorrow night once we arrive back in South Bend. I might be limited before the game tomorrow, and I'm always in a rush after the game. If you want a general picture of the stadium tonight, go to www.silverhawks.com and the photo included with the game story is from right before the game today.

Greetings from Fort Wayne

First of all, the new ballpark here is amazing. I'll take some pictures and get them posted tomorrow. A little short on time today.

Secondly, here is today's lineup:

Duffy - LF
Navarro - SS
Diaz - CF
Parker - 3B
Perez - DH
Elmore - 2B
Ramirez - 1B
Davis - C
Asencio - RF

Rodriguez - SP (Silver Hawks Debut)

Pregame Interview Guest: Taylor Sinclair