All-Star Evening

Just a little while ago, six R-Phils were selected to the Eastern League All-Star roster, which was hosted in Harrisburg, PA. Michael Schwimer, the tremendously talented reliever, was named to the team, but called up to Lehigh Valley (AAA) just days before the game, making him unable to participate. So, Tagg Bozied, Freddy Galvis, Kevin Mahar, Drew Naylor, Matt Rizzotti, and Vance Worley were in our state’s capital to represent Baseballtown.

Being named an All-Star at this level has to be such a crowning achievement and honor, especially for the younger players. When you look at the general population and realize the minuscule percentage that makes up professional athletes, it gives you a sense of how talented these guys really are. But there are All-Stars in every level of baseball, every sport, and every walk of life, too. And while the Eastern League was having it’s best players clash in Harrisburg, I had the privilege to work the Triple-A All-Star Game.

Many of the R-Phils front office employees took the short trip to Harrisburg to catch the game, see how other teams put on a show of that magnitude, and enjoy a great competition on the field. A few days prior to the break, Matt Province of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs called and asked if I would be interested in helping out his staff at their All-Star game. I had met Matt once before, this past winter in Indianapolis during the PBEO Baseball Winter Meetings and Job Fair, and thought he was a great guy to learn from and work under. There was no way I could pass up this opportunity.

Coca Cola Park is almost the exact opposite to FirstEnergy Stadium in every way imaginable. I suppose you could say that for every stadium built within the last few decades though, as our stadium is historic and one-of-a-kind. Without delving into personal opinions and preferences between the two, it’s just interesting to walk into a baseball stadium where the same game of baseball will be played, but in such a drastically different backdrop.

After taking the elevator up to the second floor, I made my way over to the press box where I met up with Tim. He had the stressful, but exciting job (among others), of laying out where over 100 press members would sit for the game. Remember – this wasn’t an ordinary game, it’s the best of the best in Triple-A, between the Pacific Coast League and International League. MLB.com, MiLB.com, the New York Times, Philadelphia Daily News, and much more were in attendance to cover the game and scout the players abilities.

Press boxes can be big, they can sit up to 20 people sometimes in a newer stadium. But when there’s over 100 people you project that are going to come, you’re going to need some auxiliary ones as well. Before that however, I helped out Dave Schofield, a great photographer who comes to Reading on occasion, shoot the team photos on the field. It was a bit hectic getting all the players on the field, in order on the seats, and ready to smile before the grounds crew pulled tarp. The rain lasted just a little while, and it was still a few hours until game time, so the 7:05 pm first pitch was still alive and well.

My primary responsibility during the Triple-A All-Star Game was roving between the first and third base sides where a number of tables had been set up for press members. If any media member needed something, I was there to get it for them – whether that was questions on internet access, where to go to for interviews, and so forth. It was nice talking to people of varying ages and affiliations about the game itself and what they were looking for.

So much planning goes into an All-Star game, and like a wedding (so I hear), you can plan for months and months, and it’s over in the blink of an eye. Tim, Matt (who filled in for the TV broadcast), and all the employees were proud of themselves for the show they put on behind the scenes, and they had good reason. It was a tremendous experience not just for me obviously, but for all the 10,000 or so fans I saw having a great time. Lehigh Valley, like Reading, is a great place to watch and love baseball. The All-Star game was a perfect opportunity to show that, and I’m glad I got to be a part of it.

But for now, it’s all Reading, all the time. The R-Phils are currently on the road playing the Erie SeaWolves for the first time this season, and will return home on Thursday for a short homestand. I’ve been busy writing game previews, finishing the latest Baseballtown Gazette, doing plenty of articles, and more. It’s hard to believe it’s already late-July, and that 94 games are already in the books. Time flies, I suppose. For those of you brave enough to stick around to read all of this, thanks. Until next time…