Moosic, PA - Champ

08/29/09 - Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees - PNC Field

I've always said that one of the great things about minor league baseball is the value. For instance, not only did our trip to Scranton introduce us to a living legend (see San Diego Chicken post), but it allowed us to witness a game between the Yankees and the Red Sox and allowed us to learn the story of how Champ got to live his dream after his predecessor was sent to jail.

For those of you that don't follow baseball, or watch the news, or read papers, or pretty much communicate with the outside world, the Yankees and Red Sox is currently the most heated rivalry in sports. Think the Hatfields and the McCoys, except with bats and umpires. After the Curse of the Bambino and just over 8 decades of domination, the Red Sox finally were able to overcome the Yankees (and a 3-0 series deficit) to win the AL Pennant and win the World Series back in the 2004. Since then, the two teams have combined to win 3 of the 6 world titles, have staged countless memorable postseason series and have even had an on-field fight or two. Even the Yankees bench coach tried to attack a Red Sox pitcher once on the field during a brawl. While tickets to the main events held in the Bronx and Fenway Park are a bit pricy to attend, we were treated to the undercard - the AAA affiliates of each team (one level below the majors) - for $10 a head. Like I said, value.

PNC Field (formerly Lackawanna County Multi-Purpose Stadium) is located just south of Scranton, PA. It was built in 1989 to lure professional baseball back into the area. With a steep upper deck, seating capacity exceeding 11,000 and recently built party decks and restaurants, this stadium is a strange blend of the old and new of stadium design. It is a minor league park where you can order a microbrew and then wander up the poured concrete ramps to the upper deck and watch the game through your knees. We waited until the last minute to get our tickets so we were stuck in the nosebleed seats. To be fair, they really weren't that bad unless you've spent the summer getting choice seats to Pirates and Indians games. Also worth noting was the large amount of tailgating taking place in the parking lot beforehand. This is not too common for baseball and was great to see. The real standout from the stadium was the cinnamon pecans. They are served piping hot and beat a dollar dog night anytime.

As for the mascot, the interesting story is not why it is Champ, a 7 foot tall ball of blue fur with macaroni for ears and a nose that resembles the Staples "Easy Button." The real interesting story is what happened to old guy. Previous to Champ, PNC Field was patrolled by a grouchy green monster known as The Grump. Although the Grump reportedly did a good job, the team could not overlook the fact that he was arrested twice in a week for sexual assault charges on minors. OK, technically it was the guy in the costume and not The Grump himself and it's not like he was wearing the suit at the time or anything but when the late local news leads a story with "Local Mascot Arrested Again on Sex Charges," it doesn't take a genius to know that it may be time for a product refresh. In stepped Champ and he has been a wonderful ambassador (and felony-free) ever since. As we were roaming the stadium's concrete underbelly in search of food and the San Diego Chicken, we bumped into Champ and he was nice enough to pose for a picture. As Mrs. Mascot Hunter quipped: "that was easy." Champ's official bio states that he will be there "until the New York Yankees are ready to call him up." Since the Yankees are one of only four big league teams without a mascot, let's hope that Champ's day comes soon.