As we neared Louisville, there is the world's longest Go Kart track in Shepardsville, KY. Nolan has been there twice before. The course is 1.5 miles long. So, even though time was getting close, we took a lap and got back on the road and made it into Louisville about 50 minutes before game time. We were surprised how many people were already there. When we walked into the ticket area there were hundreds, no thousands of kids weaving all through the area. We learned that Memphis was having kindergarten registration prior to the game and if the kindergartener went to all the stations they got a free ticket to the night's game. Well, I did NOT have to register Nolan for kindergarten. Tuesday at all minor league ball parks is buy one get one ticket if you have a Kraft Cheese Singles wrapper. Which I had been keeping in the car for the whole trip! As I stood in line to get our ticket, Nolan realized he did not have the camera. So I sent him out to the van to get it. He calls and says he can't find it. So I walk back out to the car and we search, and search, and search.. No camera. We call the Go kart track. The camera is at the go kart track and they close at 11:00pm. So, as you may notice there are no pictures of the Louisville Slugger game or inside the stadium. Nolan and I watch the game, which is a blow out 19 to 6 and leave after 8th inning to make a mad dash 23 miles back to the go kart track to retrieve the camera. So the only picture inside the ball park was taken with my cell phone...
Nolan's Hot dog and the foil artwork he made from eating 5 hotdogs!
After retrieving the camera, we spent the night across the river in Indiana, and then drove by the stadium and took a few photos
But now the important part of the trip in Louisville KY.....
LOUISVILLE SLUGGER FACTORY AND MUSEUM
It ain't "Mecca" but it worth the pilgrimage!
Yes that blue dot at the bottom of the bat at the entrance to the mus
eum is Nolan!
Nolan and Dad at the base of the big bat!
Nolan swinging John Bench's actual bat!
Nolan catching for Ken Griffey Jr!!
And for Alycia, my wonderful daughter, a picture of a picture of Hillary Duff with her own bat in front of the big bat!
They have a wall with the wood burned signatures of every player who was under contract with Louisville Slugger. The ones pictured here are all of the Hall of Fame Sluggers. Note Nolan Ryan signature on the second full row from the bottom, 8th from the left.
There was an art exhibit of the Negro Baseball League. Some very great art! Check it out. While in the exhibit they had a video call with the Baseball Hall of Fame. One of the curators there displayed and talked about 3 recent artifacts recently added to the collection in Cooperstown.. A bat that the entire Angels team used their first time up in a game, Tony Gwyn's last game worn jersey, and a glove the a 3rd baseman (cant remember who) used. He always put "E6" right above the thumb where he could see it. E6 is baseball jargon for Error on the 3rd baseman. It was a reminder for him to always play his best because he could make an E6!
What a great stop! Well worth the $10 price of admission!
On to Columbus!
Why does Hilary Duff have her own bat? Is she in a league of her own????
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