This past Saturday night was my first trip of the season up to Modesto with the Nuts taking on the first-place Bakersfield Blaze. The home team had dropped the opener, 8-4, and had Matt Flemer going against Bakersfield’s Wandy Peralta to try to even the series.
Modesto is second in the Cal League in average attendance, behind only Lake Elsinore, and the fans came out for this one 3,923 strong. There was a cold wind as the sun went down but John Thurman Field was mostly full for this matchup of clubs at the opposite ends of the North division standings.
The Blaze struck first with two runs in the second inning and another in the third to get out to a 3-0 lead. The Nuts battled back in the bottom of the third with a Juan Ciriaco triple, followed by an RBI single from Matt Wessinger one out later to make the score 3-1.
It looked like the game might be getting away from the Nuts when Bakersfield put up three runs in the next half-inning to make it 6-1 going to the bottom of the fourth. But Flemer put up a zero in the top of the fifth and Modesto struck for three runs in the bottom of the inning to pull to within 6-4.
Modesto relievers Shane Broyles and Peter Tago worked four scoreless innings to finish the game but the Nuts’ offense couldn’t dent the scoreboard any further so the game ended up a 6-4 win for Bakersfield.
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John Thurman Field is a great place to see a game in many respects. The crowd is always there in force, supporting the home team so you always get a big-game feel. The fact that the Nuts had a record of 9-21 going in while facing the best team in the league didn’t keep anyone from coming out as they always have for minor league baseball.
One thing that is very apparent as soon as you arrive at the park is that the staff is extremely courteous. From the front gate to the food stands to the merchandise store, you are engaged over and over by people with a smile who seem to be genuinely happy to be there. You don’t see that every time you go to a sporting event, so that’s definitely a plus.
The facility is laid out conveniently with food and restrooms spaced out perfectly to accommodate all sections. The seating has great sight lines. The only possible drawback is that the seating down the left-field line is in the sun for the early portion of the game, so looking into home plate is tough until it drops down. Not a deal-breaker, just worth noting.
The scoreboard is pretty nice as it has everything you need, plus pitch speed and pitch count. All in one place. It is also good to have replays shown immediately as there are a couple of cameramen working the game. That’s a pretty big-league touch.
So, another trip to Modesto went well. I haven’t hit all the California League parks yet, and I haven’t been able to pick a favorite yet, because all of the ones I have been to have been excellent in various ways. But Modesto’s a great ballpark experience and I always look forward to a chance to stop there and see a game.
All Photos: Steve Cummings/CalLeagueHeat.com
