IN OREGON, IT’S RISE AND SHINE FOR ECLIPSE GAME
When the Class A Northwest League schedule for the 2017 season was formulated two years ago, Salem- Keizer ( Ore.) Volcanoes co- owner Jerry Walker requested a home game for Aug. 21.
At the time, Walker’s request raised eyebrows among members of the league’s scheduling committee. Monday night games are not typically among the highest-attended games.
“Everyone wanted to know why Walker wanted to be home on a Monday night; it doesn’t make any sense,” Walker said.
Of course, Walker had his eye on that date because he knew the Mid- Willamette Valley would be in the Path of Totality for the first total solar eclipse to cross the USA in 99 years.
Monday’s game between the Volcanoes and the Hillsboro ( Ore.) Hops at Volcanoes Stadium will feature the first eclipse delay in baseball history. Ticket requests began coming in immediately after the so- called Eclipse Game was announced a year ago.
“This is for sure the single biggest thing that’s ever happened at Volcanoes Stadium other than the opening of the stadium itself” in 1997, Walker said.
Fans attending the Eclipse Game will receive commemorative safety glasses to wear during the delay. Gates open at 5 a. m. PT with breakfast being served from 6 to 9.
Opening pitch is set for 9: 35 a. m., and the game will be delayed after the first inning. The total solar eclipse is expected to last a little under two minutes in Keizer and begin at about 10: 17 a. m.
Individual ticket prices for the Eclipse Game were increased because of the eclipse viewing, and parking for the game was increased from $ 5 to $ 10 a vehicle.
Besides the Volcanoes- Hops game, the Bowling Green ( Ky.) Hot Rods of the Class A Midwest League, the Nashville Sounds of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League and the Columbia ( S. C.) Fireflies of the Class A South Atlantic League will have eclipse festivities at their ballparks.
Volcanoes players will wear Eclipse Game jerseys to commemorate the event.
Eclipse Game merchandise has been available at the Volcanoes’ team shop for months, including T- shirts, sweatshirts and caps. Additional souvenirs were set to be available for sale, including glass mugs, shot glasses, water bottles, lapel pins and lanyards.