By Chris Murphy
Modesto baseball will never be the same again. For nearly 100 years, baseball has been played over on the west side. Back in the Del Web field days, later renamed as John Thruman field, baseball has been part of Modesto’s fabric. There were even World Series practice games in 1962, chronicled by local author Ken White in his book Getaway Day, and star major league players that played in Modesto over the years on their way to the major league.
Now a new era in baseball begins as a new Pioneer League team will take the field. This is a new fun league that attracts a new kind of ball player that really wants to play, and possibly get discovered for bigger action. Giants fans are happy that 6-time Golden Glove winner JT Snow is the Roadster Manager.
Following a city-wide naming contest, and a very public re-doe, team owner Dave Heller announced the new Modesto Roadsters in a ’61 Corvette at the Graffiti USA Museum. Dave has the successful Quad Cities River Bandits in Iowa, the Billings Mustangs in Montana, the Wilmington Delaware Blue Rocks and the Lowell Spinners in New York. Not only are these great ball teams, the ballparks have become amusement areas that attracting many visitors. Dave believes that baseball is much more than a game. There is hope for local innovation here in Modesto.
Finding new talent is important and the Roadsters have hosted open tryouts, matching up players with local residents for housing, new marketing programs and even a new stadium naming and long-time partner Modern Woodman, an insurance and financial company,
Opening day is May 19 against our new rival, the Red Pocket Mobiles, the Pioneer League all travelling team. Games will be May 19 – 24th. Next home stand is vs Yuba-Sutter Freebirds June 2-7. Expect Thursday $3 beer, Fireworks on Friday, Rockit Music Saturdays and a new and revamped food program. You also need to pick up a new jersey and some hats.
Music at the Roadsters
Halee Smith of Rockit’ Productions is teamed up with the Roadsters to make sure that music has a home at the stadium during games and potentially other concerts. This is great news that this field will see some action all year long.
Local School Baseball
The Roadsters have teamed up with local school teams to that the field is available for key games in our area. It must be so exciting for school teams to play on a professional field.
How can you be a Roadster?
You can buy season tickets. You can go to a game. Host a party on the party deck. Take your employees out for a game and even be a Roadsters sponsor. Give tickets out as performance spiffs. Get some merch and the list goes on. My wife Rebecca and I are stepping up to welcome new excitement and economic development to Modesto.
www.modestoroadsters.com
