NW Arkansas Naturals ( Hansel)

We started the day lazily again.  We left Tulsa about 11 AM. We had a late breakfast in Broken Arrow at a place called Monica's. We were hoping for Touched By An Angel, but got great breakfast instead. Notice the Chili Davis Quote on the blackboard!

We decided to see if we could be Okie's From Muskogee!

We tried to do something cultural so we went to the 5 Civilized Tribes Museum in Muskogee, but they were more civilized than we were..they were closed on Sunday! So we took our picture in front of the City sign and found a Howitzer!

We traveled to Tahlequah and went to the Cherokee Nation Museum and spent an hour. Did you know that the Cherokee were the first to have a free public education mandataed for all their children and the first public education building for girls in the US?  Those savages were so backward they even gave their women the right to vote prior to the civil war.

After a nice drive through the backwoods of E. OK and W Arkansas we got to Springdale to watch the Naturals play!

Thanks to Bryan from Frisco who emailed the Naturals that we were coming Nolan got to be introduced standing on top of the dugout and played a Natural's trivia game (thanks to the crowd who shouted out the answer!) and won! The Naturals also gave us a couple of hats and a calender! Thanks guys!

So Nolan ate another hotdog and we were on our way after the game! Less than 10 minutes after the game it came a pouring rain. We drove for 3 hours to get to Little Rock so we could make our next game at noon on Monday!

louisville bats (Nolan)

This was the longest day of driving we've had yet, six hours. we started in Memphis and we drove for about an hour while i was asleep. then we drove for about 2 hours and stopped in nashville and visited the Parthenon we did not go in. but we got some great pictures. then we went to the grand ole opry but it was closed for renovations due to the recent floods. then we stopped in shepherdsville and drove the worlds longest go kart track we will not have pictures from beyond this point today because the camera fell out of my pocket in the go kart. we also stopped at the birthplace of Abe Lincoln. The game was pretty fun but for the first time  i did not get up on the jumbotron because i was looking for the camera in the car. but the bats won 19-6. we had to leave early so we could get the camera, we finished the game listing to the radio. we just pulled in to the go kart place. tonight we stay at a hotel in indiana.by the way i learned that louisville it is pronounces lowvoll

doubleday west tennessee/ memphis (nolan)

this was a jam packed base ball day. we started in jacksonville TN and saw the west TN Dimond Jaxx we did not get any suviners but i did get to announce the line up for half an inning and i caught a foul ball. the next game. Memphis red birds was about the same but i got to go out and throw been bag "cheese" on " hamburgers" and i got a cheese holder for that. Jaxx lost and i cant remember the score and the birds won 5-2  

NW Arkansas Naturals ( Nolan)

this was a very easy day until right now we have a 3 hour drive to Josh and Bethany's house where we will be staying tonight. But besides that we had an easy day. We started in the morning at this great breakfast place in tulsa called Monica's Cafe if you ever go there get the french toast. then we stopped in muskogee and took pictures then we went to. Tahlequah and went to the Cherokee museum there was a village that was pretty interesting. Then we went on over to the game in springdale and they gave me 2 hats one for me and one for my dad, some foam baseballs and a season program. then i played a game got a free tee shirt. then later on the jumbotron a welcome to nolans baseball road trip. by the way the hot dog was not the best.

Drillers Tulsa Day 2 (Hansel)

Since we drove about 120 miles after the first game we spent the night with Craig and Darla near Sulphur. As always Darla fixed us breakfast AND Lunch. It was a leisurely morning since Tulsa was only 2.5 hrs away. Craig and Darla's guest bathroom is a baseball museum! The life-size Cal Ripken is awesome, but I have almost had more than one "accident" thinking there is some one walking in through the bathroom door unexpectedly!

We got to Tulsa ONEOK park after an unplanned, but typical , "tour" of  Tulsa and the old Drillers' ball park! We arrived at the new field about 1.5 hours before game time. We were hoping to "catch" some BP however they didnt open the park until one hour prior so all we saw was the grounds crew spraying the dirt.

So we cruised the concourse, found guest services, and got Nolan on the list for a chance to do one of the on-field promotional events, telling the lady our story of the roadtrip. Then we found the footlong Brat and Dog stand! We found our seats on the 1st base side about 1/2 way out the outfield about 12 rows up. This park is nicely situated with an view of the city sky line past outfield. The concourse had a nice variety of food and the hospitality got better as the evening went on. Craig, Nolan and I settled in to watch some baseball. We were joined by a college friend I had not seen sine 1988, so lots of stories were told!

During the 1st inning two interns came over and asked Nolan if he wanted to participate in the "Jeopardy" game between the 8th and 9th inning. About the 6th inning Nolan and I went looking for a treat and found a grilled pretzel with sugar and cinnamon. We stopped at the guest services to make sure what time we needed to be ready for the Jeopardy. We were a bit early but decided to hang around behind homeplate because there was a nice breeze. While I was standing on the concourse watching the game, Nolan was talking to the lady at guess services. She was asking Nolan about our plans and where we had been. After an inning, I walked back over to check up on Nolan. Nolan had endeared himself to guest services and she had told the on-site management of our trip. The next thing you know they gave Nolan a Drillers Hat, Drillers Landyard, a Promo T shirt, and a Bobblehead seat with Hall of Famers who had played for Tulsa in the past!!

Once again Nolan is broadcasted on the Jumbo screen! We watch the rest of the game which the Drillers win 6 to 5. Darla, who went shopping instead of the game, picked up Craig and headed back to Sulphur. Nolan and I headed to David's house where David and I talked of life, salvation, politics, Inspired Word of God, and being stupid in college. Thanks to Craig and Darla, and David for allowing us to have a place to stay on the road and share old memories and make new!

Tulsa Drillers (Nolan)

This was game number 2. The drillers won 6-5.When we got there we signed up for me to play one of the between inning games and in the 8th i got to play Jepordy after that i got a free lanyard and a hat. Then the lady at the guest services gave me a shirt and bobble heads. the rough riders where more hospitable but the drillers did much better in the area of souvenirs. I now at a friend of Mr. Dave Anderson's house for the night.

Game One Frisco Texas (Hansel)

Game One is in the History books. The DFW area had showers in the middle of the afternoon, so we had cloud cover a decent breeze, mid 80's and a lot of humidity! About 2 weeks ago I sent emails to all of the minor league teams about this road trip, hoping to create some special memories for Nolan. I got no serious response except from Memphis reviewing their typical promotions. However, at about 4:30 Friday, I got a call from the Frisco Rough Riders from a guy named Michael. He asked if we were still attending the game Friday evening, I said yes, we were just getting ready to head to the ball park.

We meet Michael at the park, when he came to our seats and sat down and talked to us for 15 minutes or so. It turns out Michael Byrnes is the Sr Vice President for the Frisco RoughRiders He has been with the RoughRiders for 8 years..since about 8 months before their first pitch starting out in ticket sales and working his way up. He has the greatest office one could imagine. His office has a couple thousand seats and a great veiw of the field! I appreciated getting to know him and appreciate his time with us.

Michael said that he wanted to have Pete Delkus, the WFAA Channel 8 Weatherman, introduce Nolan and tell his story to the fans between innings. So, after the 5th inning Nolan went down on the field and was introduced to crowd.   What a sight!

The Dr Pepper field was very nice and comfortable. We parked in General parking and the parking was free! We sat on 1st base side section 124 in front of the visitors bullpen about 3/4 of the way to the right field corner. Rough Riders lost the game 6 to 5 and we got fireworks also!

Gayle came to the game with Nolan and as Nolan and I headed to Craig and Darla's in Sulphur, OK, Gayle headed back home!  As much as I know I will enjoy this trip with Nolan, I am sadden that I won't be with my best friend for 10 days. See you next Sunday, Honey.

Frisco Rough Riders (Nolan)

Well the Rough riders lost 5-6. My hot dog was pretty good.( If you didn't know i will get a hot dog at each game.) After that we went to our seats and the senior vice president came and talked to us. Inn the 5th inning I got to go out on the field with the meteorologist and he talked about our road trip. After that I got a free hat. I had the most interesting cashews, they were coated with cinnimon sugar. There were fireworks after the game, they were the brightest fireworks I've ever seen. The people were very nice. After finding the other car so mom could go home, we are now on our way to Mr.Craig's house for the night. Tomorrow we will be in Tulsa for game number 2. This is going to be a fun trip.

Cleveland on Thursday 7/29

Free admission. sound bite  Major League sound bites

Put Me in Coach John Fogerty

There's no crying in Baseball!! sound bite  Jimmy Dugan sound bites

Getting Ready!

We are less than 2 days from starting our adventure! As usual we have talked about what we need to do to get ready, but as usual we will wait til tomorrow night! Gayle has graciously allowed us to take the minivan and I got a plug in cooler to keep the essentials cold. So tomorrow I will probably purchase tickets to the Frisco Roughriders. It is a beautiful park! Nolan and I will be sure and post pictures of Dr Pepper Park!

Nolan's Baseball Road Trip: Baseball!

Nolan's Baseball Road Trip: Baseball!: "Baseball is Constant"

Baseball is Constant sound bite  James Earl Jones sound bites