ALL-STAR GAME A BIG HIT WITH FANS
Near-sellout crowd welcomes New York-Penn League’s best to The Joe
TROY, N.Y. » For the first time in nearly 10 years, the Collar City played host to the NewYork-Penn League-All-Star Game on Tuesday night.
Some fans were so eager to get into Joseph L. Bruno Stadium they actually lined up outside the gates two hours before they were allowed in. Some came from the Capital Region, while others traveled to Troy from other states.
“This is our first time here from New Jersey,” said Paul Cucciniello, who was one of the first people in line with his wife Tuesday afternoon. “We wanted to come because it’s something different, and we go to a lot of minor league baseball games, so we thought that this game would be interesting to see.”
“My boys wanted to come to the All-Star Game because they couldn’t go to the real [Major League Baseball] All-Star Game, so this is the next best thing for them to watch,” added Denise Atikins of Colonie.
The more than 5,000 fans who attended the game were able to enjoy everything that comes with watching a minor-league baseball game on the home field of the TriCity Valley Cats, an affiliate of the Houston Astros.
“It’s nice here because everything is nice and close, so you get to see everything up close, and all of the seats here are good
views,” said Saratoga resident Barry Friedman, who brought his son to the game.
“I have a son and his two friends that love baseball, so I figured how often can they come see this many future professional players,” added Tammy Chandler, who lives in the Capital Region.
Troy Mayor Patrick Madden was also in attendance and echoed the thoughts of those fans.
“Despite the weather right now, it’s a great crowd,” said Madden as it started to rain lightly but steadily just before the first pitch. “The FanFest last night was also a nice turnout, and I look forward to a fun game now.
“This is a great stadium. It’s a great asset for the city, it’s family fun and you always run into people you know when you’re here.”
Fans were able to enjoy numerous concession vendors, the ValleyCats team store, music entertainment before the game, an autograph session with players, a fun zone for kids and also a home run derby sponsored by downtown Troy restaurant Slidin Dirty of Troy. Slidin Dirty pledged $10 for each home run hit during the derby to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research, with $1,100 donated.
Some local fans were able to participate, as well, with people signing up to catch fly balls during the derby that didn’t clear the fence. Nick Butler had an even better seat, with the 17-yearold from Maple Hill High School, who plays amateur baseball for the South Troy Dodgers, was the catcher behind home plate through the entire derby.
“My South Troy Dodgers coach, George Rogers, actually asked me to do this, since he has connections with the ValleyCats,” explained Butler. “It was pretty fun to do, and it was a nice view for all the bombs that were hit.”