Kicking off the Florida State League season in style

(Check out the pictures of Opening Day at Steinbrenner Field here.)

Although Central Florida is not known for its varying climate, there are those milestones in the yearly journey that allow Floridians to mark off the seasons. We know Fall by the kick-off of high school football, Winter by the rumble of the NFL, and Spring by the return of pitchers and catchers. And when most of the big leaguers leave and re-migrate north, and the stars of tomorrow are left to play in the Florida sun, that is when our Summer starts.

Ideally located not far from a major highway and across the street from the Tampa Bay Bucs’ Raymond James Stadium, Steinbrenner Field is perhaps one of the crown jewels of the Florida State League. With dimensions similar to old Yankee Stadium, it is ripe with reminders of Yankee tradition, from pictures around the stadium to a mini version of Monument Park.

It is also home to the reigning Florida State League Champs, the Tampa Yankees.

So with a few days off between the Tampa Bay Rays opener on Tuesday and seeing the Rays take on the big league Yankees, and living only five miles or so from Steinbrenner Field, I decided to catch the Tampa Yankees’ opener against the Lakeland Flying Tigers. It was opening day in the Florida State League and I was ready.

Before I get into the game itself, a few notes:

1) Everyone loves a guy with a big ‘fro. Starting before the game, and continuing through the innings, I made quite a few new friends – from kids to grown-ups to everyone in between. While many of the kids wanted to know if my real hair was real, many of the adults claimed to have the same hair style back in the ’70s.

2) Quality entertainment at a great price. Although Steinbrenner Field is one of the most expensive spring training venues, the cost of a Tampa Yankees game is amazingly affordable. I was able to not only park for free, but get a general admission ticket 20 minutes before the first pitch for only six dollars.

3) Even with the cost, or lack thereof, there was hardly anyone there. Although I lost count after running out of fingers and toes, there couldn’t have been more than 2,000 people in the ballpark. I honestly though it would be more crowded. Maybe it was because the parent club was playing a day later 30 minutes away. Maybe it was because Dancing with the Stars, or Lost, or American Idol, or whatever other super-popular show was on. I don’t watch much regular TV, so I have no idea, but there had to be something. Maybe because it was school night?

4) Although I was at the ballpark 25 minutes before the game, I did not see a presentation, a video montage, or even a banner honoring the Tampa Yankees 2009 Championship. Maybe the stadium powers-that-be are waiting for a bigger crowd, perhaps during the weekend, to celebrate their FSL title.

5) Radar gun pitching contests are made to embarrass people like me. As I did three years ago in Sarasota, my ego convinced me to pay a dollar and see how hard I could throw. Although it made for great pictures, I am now convinced I will never be the second coming of Jim Morris. Sad but true.

As for the game, the Yankees defeated the Flying Tigers 4-0. Yankees pitcher Hector Noesi pitched a gem, allowing only 2 hits, walking 1, and striking out 6 in 6 innings. Noesi’s stellar performance was backed up by the hitting of shortstop Jose Pirela, who went 3 for 4 with a single, double, triple, and 2 RBIs.

Despite the lack of fans, Opening Day at Steinbrenner Field went well. I saw a good game, met good people, and had a great time. And that’s what baseball is all about.

Before I end however, I want to tell you about an interaction I had with a young baseball fan. In about the 8th inning or so, while I was just chilling about 10 rows behind home plate, one of the kids I met earlier in the game approached me and asked, “Will you come back?”.

Absolutely, little dude.

Absolutely.