Auburn Doubledays @ Aberdeen IronBirds 7/10/08

> Sports Beat cyber column

> Sports Beat 2007 archives

> Sports Beat 2006 archives

> Sports Beat 2005 archives

> Suds from the Soap Box

> Contact McCaffreysWorld

> Return 2 Roadtrips

Auburn Doubledays @
Aberdeen IronBirds
July 10, 2008

A grand old party at the ballpark

Thursday, July 10, 2008

by Timothy Tilghman

The Aberdeen IronBirds welcomed State Senator Nancy Jacobs and First Congressional nominee Andrew Harris onto the pitcher's mound Thursday evening. Jacobs threw out the first pitch to audience applause with Harris as her confident companion on the field.

The Maryland Republican Party and The Harford County Republican Central Committee jointly sponsored a fundraiser evening at Ripken Stadium. The GOP sold 110 tickets and gathered together on the catered party deck situated beside the third base foul pole.

Hosting fundraising groups at the ballpark is a great way to gather family, friends and fans in the stands. The guess-the-image segue that appeared on the jumbotron for this ballgame resolved as one of the late President Ronald Wilson Reagan.

The first pitch of the evening came at 7:10 pm. Before another anticipated capacity crowd, the IronBirds took the lead in the ballgame right from the bottom of the first inning. The first run was actually scored as a walk. #13 Tom Edwards batted in two more runs, and an error at first base gave Aberdeen a fourth run.

Although Auburn brought in #30 Marcus Walden to pitch, the IronBirds loaded the bases. Aberdeen drove in two more runs during the second inning. A seventh run was knocked in by #5 Lee Ellis at bat in the fourth inning. Finally, the Doubledays scored their first and only run in the seventh inning.

The IronBirds advanced their winning streak in the eight inning by scoring three more runs. #27 Caleb Joseph sent two runners into home. An error by the Auburn catcher provided an opportunity for a tenth run. With a line drive caught by the Aberdeen pitcher, the IronBirds defeated the Doubledays 10 to 1 at 9:37 pm.

IronBirds ballgames are broadcast on WAMD 970 AM. A selection of Beatles songs including "Birthday" were piped over the stadium PA system throughout the duration of the ballgame. Aberdeen has two mascots; Ferrous & Ripcord.

Ripken Stadium features several dining options that include the Crab Shack party pavilion, an open air Cafe positioned behind homeplate, and an oversized party deck under cover. The Kids Zone is a hang out to keep children occupied during the innings.

With skyrocketing gasoline prices impeding summer travel, Minor League Baseball is the best bet for the average household to enjoy an evening out together. Having six ball clubs around the state to choose from guarantees Maryland families will not have to travel all that far to enjoy quality sports entertainment.