Minor league baseball is major league fun

The gates open and the fans are allowed in. The song "The boys are back in town" plays over the loud speaker. The song expresses that the Binghamton Rumble Ponies are back in town to begin a home stand. The song sets the tone for a minor league baseball game that will feature many sights and sounds.

Within the stadium is the scent of Lupo's chicken speedies and beer. At the concession stand are baked hot pretzels, pizza, hamburger, French fries, chicken tenders, soda and bottled water. Pop corn in jumbo plastic baseball helmets are sold. Ice cream in smaller plastic baseball helmets are sold as well.

The national anthem is played while fans and players stand at attention. The umpires meet with the managers at home plate. Then the Rumble Ponies take the field as the home crowd applauds. The visiting team comes up to bat.

When the Rumble Ponies are at bat, most players have a song that plays when they walk up to the plate. Music plays a prominent role in the sounds of the game.

Sometimes songs play over the loud speaker to reinforce what has just happened.

For instance, when the Rumble Ponies have 2 outs, the song "One More Chance" by the Jackson 5 can be heard. The Rumble Ponies have one more chance to extend the inning because there are only two outs.

When a player for Binghamton hits a double, Bon Jovi's song "Living on a Prayer" plays over the loud speaker. The verse "We're half way there" plays because the base runner on second base is half way to home.



Additionally, when a Rumble Pony hits home run, the song "Na,Na,Na,Na, Hey, Hey-ey Goodbye" plays over the loudspeaker. The fans wave goodbye to the baseball as it sails over the fence for a home run.

After the 7th inning stretch, the song "Cotton Eyed Joe" plays over the loudspeaker. The fans sing along with the song. Some of the younger employees working at the game dance on top of the home dugout and the away dugout.

Before the 8th inning, children run across the field while Bryan Adams' song "Run to You" plays over the loudspeaker.

This season post game fire works were scheduled for 15 different days. Different music was played during the fireworks. Some artists who were featured included Kelly Clarkson, Maroon 5, The Beatles, Billy Joel and Elvis Presley. Two nights featured patriotic themes including July 4th.

The stadium also hosts "Bark at the Park night." On this night, fans are allowed to bring their dogs. The stadium hosted three such nights this season. During the evening, songs with a canine theme are played over the loudspeaker. Songs like "Who Let the Dogs Out" and "Hound Dog" are played at the stadium. Additionally, hot dogs, normally sold at $2.50 a piece, are sold for $1.00.

The outfield wall at NYSEG stadium features ads for local businesses. When a pitching change is made for the Rumble Ponies, it is sponsored by "A Touch of Texas", a local establishment. In every way possible, the Rumble Ponies' organization tries to accent it's connection to the local community.

The organization also tried to emphasize it's Rumble Ponie name. For instance, above the female bathrooms is the word "Mares", and above the men's bathroom is the word "Stallions." The stadium is informally known as "Rumble Town, USA."

The organization deserves credit for it's enthusiasm for the it's team name. It also deserves credit for it's loyalty to the area. Both seem sincere and genuine. The organization takes pride in the area and in the team name.

The Rumble Ponies play in the Eastern League, which features 12 double A baseball teams. All 12 teams are affiliated with major league teams. Here are the 12 teams: Binghamton Rumble Ponies(Mets); Hartford Yard Goats(Rockies); New Hampshire Fisher Cats(Blue Jays); Portland Sea Dogs(Red Sox); Reading Fightin Phils(Phillies); Trenton Thunder(Yankees); Akron RubberDucks(Indians); Altoon Curve(Pirates); Bowie Baysox(Orioles); Erie SeaWolves(Tigers); Harrisburg Senators(Nationals); Richmond Flying Squirrels( Giants).

The team names for minor league organizations are memorable and unique. Minor league team names remind fans that baseball is a game. It is fun. It is competitive, but like all games, should not be taken too seriously. Teams want to win and compete, but at the end of the day, sports should be fun and memorable for both the participants and the fans.

Major league teams are judged on wins and losses. Winning is the bottom line in major league baseball. However, the goal of minor league organizations is to develop the players. Player development is the highest priority within the minor leagues. Double A affiliates want to develop as many players as possible. Minor league affiliates want to prepare as many players as possible for the major leagues.

Some minor league players are major league prospects. They have a serious chance of making it to the major leagues. However, some minor league players are organizational prospects. In other words, they are there to fill out minor league rosters and provide competition for the true major league prospects. An organization has to figure out which players are true major league prospects, and which ones are organizational prospects.



Player development is not easy. Many minor league hitters can hit fastballs. However, minor league coaches have to teach hitters how to hit breaking pitches in order to help those players make it to the major leagues. In order to make it to the major league level, minor league players need to be able to hit more that just fastballs.

Likewise, pitchers have to develop different pitches at the minor league level in order to make it top the major leagues. It is not enough to be able to throw a fastball. A major league pitcher has to have an expanded repertoire. A major league pitcher has to be able to throw curve balls, sinkers, sliders, change ups, etc. A major league pitcher has to keep hitters off balance.

So, minor league teams are judged on their ability to develop players. Wins and losses are important. However, player development is the most important responsibility of a minor league team.

There are also unique promotional give aways during the game. If the Rumble Ponies shut out an opponent in the top half of the 5th inning, each fan in attendance receives a voucher for a free donut at "Dunkin Donuts." If a Rumble Ponie hits a home run in a certain inning, all fans in attendance receive a voucher for a free whopper at Burger King. These are neat promotional give aways that link the local community with the team. They are also good play on words.

At every game, a fan is chosen to answer a trivia question that takes the form of a multiple choice question. The fans stands on the top of one of the dugouts and answers the question. His or her image is shown on the jumbo tron which also shows the four choices. After the fan answers the question, the right choice appears on the screen. There is some sort of prize for the fan if he or she answers the question correctly.

Each game also includes a 50/50 raffle.

The stadium where the Rumble Ponies is called NYSEG stadium, but it is also known as Rumble Town, USA. Above the female bathrooms is the word "Mares" and above the male bathrooms is the word "stallions."

Needless to say, the city of Binghamton takes great pride in it's baseball team. Broome County is proud of the Rumble Ponies. This is our team.

The Rumble Ponies play in the Eastern League, which features double A affiliates of major league baseball teams. In addition to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, the teams are the following: Hartford Yard Goats(Rockies); New Hampshire Fisher Cats(Blue Jays); Portland Sea Dogs(Red Sox); Reading Fightin Phils(Phillies); Trenton Thunder(Yankees); Akron RubberDucks(Indians); Altoona Curve(Pirates); Bowie Baysox(Orioles); Erie SeaWolves(Tigers); Harrisburg Senators(Nationals); and the Richmond Flying Squirrels(Giants). '

The Mets have called up a few Rumble Ponies this year.

Second baseman Jeff McNeil was called up in late July. He is hitting .289 with 2 home runs and 4 runs batted in. Kevin Plawecki was called up earlier in the season. Plawecki, an outfielder, is hitting .222 with 3 home runs and 15 runs batted in. Both do not project as impact players. However, they may turn out to be major league players who can provide the Mets with depth.

Relief pitcher Corey Oswalt was promoted to New York this season. In 33.1 innings, Oswalt has pitched to a 5.13 ERA with 23 strike outs. It's uncertain if Oswalt is good enough to be part of the Mets' bullpen in the future. At least now, he is being given a chance to contribute.

Currently the Rumble Ponies have some talented players who have big league potential. Shortstop Levi Michael is hitting .305 with 10 home runs and 36 runs batted in. He is a potential starting short stop in the big leagues, perhaps for the Mets. Michael also has some speed, as he has stolen 13 bases this season.

First baseman, Peter Alonso is hitting a robust .314 with 15 home runs and 15 runs batted in. With numbers like that, Alonso projects as a possible starting first baseman in the major leagues. If his power can translate to the major leagues, he may get an opportunity at he major league level.

First baseman, Joey Terdoslavich, has been playing well lately. In 192 at bats, Terdoslavich has hit 4 home runs with 19 runs batted in. At 29 years of age, Terdoslavich does not project as a starter. However, he may be added to a big league roster some day to provide some depth or a pinch hitter off of the bench. As a switch hitter, Terdoslavich could provide pinch hitting in key situations of a game.

The Rumble Ponies have been good for Binghamton and Broome County. The city and the county are proud of the Rumble Ponies. The team has brought more fun into the area. The Rumble Ponies have reminded people that minor league baseball is major league fun.