I'm late posting this, but we went to the last ever regular season home game for the Kinston Indians on September 2, 2011. They were playing the Keys in that final home series and funny thing is, the Indians were able to stretch that into a playoff run and play the Keys again in the Mills Cup finals. We went to a game in that series as well.
We had to get general admission tickets and sit on the grass, which wasn't bad. The game ended up being sold out. I had to wait an hour and a half in line for concessions and then another hour was spent in line for the souvenir shop because everything was 50% off. I got my wife a shirt; my son a foam hand; and myself a pennant and a team ball.
We were able to watch Orioles prospects play for the Keys. Here is Jonathan Schoop who is one of the few international prospects (he is from Curacao) that the O's have signed lately.
Schoop laid down a pretty nice bunt and almost beat the throw.
We also got another look at Orioles 2010 first round pick, Manny Machado. Manny looks to be a pretty good player and has been compared to a young Alex Rodriguez. I'm not sure I'd go that far, but he does seem to be a good player.
Here is my last view under the lights during a regular season MILB game at historic Grainger Stadium. I love going to games there and I hope another team will be taking their place. I wouldn't mind a lower A team.
The Indians closed out their home series with fireworks, which was really awesome. I'll sure miss spending 4th of July at the park watching the fireworks. I'll have to take my July 4th tradition to another park somewhere else, I suppose.
So, goodbye, Kinston Indians. Since 2009, you have been my home team and my way to see some top prospects come through town. I've had some good times there with people like my good friend Jim, my wife, my younger brother Andy and especially my son. I'll always remember those good times at Grainger Stadium.
Funny... this was my 700th post. Congratulations to me, haha.
Sniff, sniff.
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