2012 Prairie Trip Summary

I always like to post a small summary of any big trip I take, more for my own purposes, so please excuse the self-indulgence.

I was on the road for 22 days during which I saw 4 NHL, 7 WHL, 2 Junior A hockey, 5 basketball (NBA, NBDL, NCAA, 2 CIS), and 2 NCAA baseball games, all while driving 3,000 miles.

The best game was Philadelphia's 5-4 OT win in Winnipeg, a game that I almost skipped due to not having a ticket. The moral being always go to the venue, you never know what might happen.

The most enjoyable game was Toronto's OT win in Edmonton, with the game-clinching goal happening right in front of me.

The worst game was Toronto's 5-1 loss in Calgary but I can take solace in that game being part of the 1-9-1 streak that ended Ron Wilson's tenure as the Leafs' head coach.

This was the first extended sports trip I have taken in Canada and it really helped me to reconnect with my roots. I've never spent that much time in the west and I found it very relaxing driving along these empty highways, beautiful vistas stretching as far as the eye can see. Perhaps the most amazing sight was during a night drive from Kindersley to Swift Current, where we took a backroads route, with almost no traffic passing us for nearly two hours. We stopped briefly and turned the car lights off, stepping out to see the Milky Way in all its majesty. The millions of stars are not visible in a city, where the ambient light created by humanity blocks the starlight created by nature.

It was certainly quite different than driving in LA, with thousands of vehicles travelling 75 MPH along 5 lanes of blacktop, weaving in and out with no discernible pattern. No need to tell you which is more enjoyable.

This was a wonderful trip for me, especially the junior hockey games. I felt a connection to each community when I spent time in their arena; each rink brings a unique history that reveals how much hockey is a part of life in Western Canada.

Unfortunately, there's not much other than hockey to watch in the Great White North, at least in terms of being able to find games on a regular basis. College sports there aren't that compelling and there is no real baseball or basketball league that would allow for 7 games in 7 nights. I hope to see all the junior hockey rinks as well as do a CFL tour but after that, I'll be out of options for sports road trips in Canada as I've now seen every NHL rink there.

That is still be a few years away though, in the meantime, I'll be planning plenty of trips to take in the great ballparks of minor league baseball among other sports. This blog is nearly three years old and I'll make an announcement on the anniversary (March 21) about my Quest for 400, so check back then.

Best,

Sean

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Prairie Pastimes

When I take these extended road trips, I like to visit the occasional tourist attraction to stave off the boredom that can accrue between sporting events. Having traveled extensively throughout North America, it has become increasingly difficult to find something unique or different, that is, a tourist attraction that offers an opportunity to learn or see something new. One history museum is much like the other after you've visited 20 of them, so I generally stay away from those spots similar to what I have seen before.

On the most recent journey, which lasted 3 weeks, I only found four itineraries intriguing enough to check out, one in Calgary, two in Saskatoon, and one in the LA suburbs.

Calgary Tower

At $14 with a coupon, this isn't cheap but it is worth an hour of your time if you are partial to tall buildings. The tower is easy to spot from anywhere in the city, but it is no longer the tallest structure in Calgary. That means that views to the northwest are limited by office buildings, but otherwise you can get some good looks at the mountains to the southwest as well as the Saddledome and stampede area to the south east, at least when the skies are clear.

There is also a small extension with a glass floor on which you can stand and take pictures below you. Acrophobics need not attempt this, but it is fun to watch them try.

Alberta Sports Hall of Fame & Museum

Between Calgary and Edmonton lies the city of Red Deer, and just outside of it you will find the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame & Museum. It is right off the highway, in fact, we stopped in only because of a roadside sign alerting us to its presence.

The HOF actually located in the same building as the tourist info centre, which had plenty of stuff on Saskatchewan as well, making it a useful stop. It costs $5 to enter and is quite interesting, with some interactive games for kids (that adults are encouraged to use) and lots of displays about the history of sports in Alberta. Definitely a good way to split up the 3-hour trek between Alberta's two NHL cities (as well as its two ex-PCL cities, as you can see below).

Diefenbaker Centre

John Diefenbaker was Canada's 13th Prime Minister and the only Conservative to hold that office between 1930 and 1979. Although born in Ontario, he moved to Saskatoon as a teenager and attended the University of Saskatchewan. He agreed to donate his estate to the institution if they constructed a museum to house his papers and other items. The university agreed and the Diefenbaker Centre was opened in 1980, less than a year after he died.

Unfortunately the Centre was closed due to renovations when we were in Saskatoon, but that didn't stop us from walking around the area along the South Saskatchewan River. The grave site of Diefenbaker and his wife Olive are nearby, and the pathways along the river provide for some beautiful views. I hope to return here for some NHL action and will check out the Diefenbaker Centre, which will be reopened by then.

That's the University Bridge below, with downtown across the river.

Western Development Museum

The Western Development Museum (WDM) is a Saskatchewan-wide enterprise with separate attractions in Saskatoon, North Battleford, Moose Jaw, and Yorkton. Each museum is unique and presents a different element of the history of the west. We visited the one in Saskatoon and were amazed by the amount of detail on display. This museum presents a "boomtown" with a main street that has stores and businesses on either side, much like you would have seen a hundred years ago. There were even real live blacksmiths explaining their trade and an old locomotive in which you can sit and survey the floor.

In the back there is a huge room with old farm machinery that boggles the mind in terms of its size and complexity. Nobody else seemed interested in this display but I found it fascinating.

Best of all was the Boomtown Cafe, a restaurant that serves up heaping piles of pancakes or an oversized omelette at a reasonable price. Many locals eat there and it was certainly the best restaurant meal I had on the trip.

The cost for the museum is only $8.50, a bargain to begin with, but on their homepage, there are 2-for-1 coupons which you need to print out (although they accepted my electronic version) which knocks admission down to an incredible $4.25. Truly a fantastic experience that we found rather tiring after 3 hours of walking around, but admission is for two consecutive days so if you are in Saskatoon for a longer period of time, you can split your visit.

Automobile Driving Museum

Not quite on the prairie, but the Automobile Driving Museum is also something worth checking out if you are in LA. Located just a few minutes walk from the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, the museum presents an extensive collection of old cars that is a great spot for road trippers such as myself. I am by no means a car historian but it is fascinating to see the development of the automobile from the early 1900s to the 1980s. These cars are still in working condition and you can be driven in one on a weekend, but I was there midweek so did not have that opportunity. Admission is by donation with $5 the suggested amount, a bargain for those who enjoy old cars.

1947 Chrysler Windsor, $1,861 factory price

1930 Stutz, only 3 of this model were ever made

Superb collection

There were a few other sights I wanted to visit (the Moose Jaw Tunnels and the Winnipeg Mint to name a couple) but a lack of time or poor weather limited my options. Guess I'll be back on my CFL road trip, whenever that happens!

Best,

Sean

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Loyola Marymount Lions 2 at Cal State Fullerton Titans 6 (NCAA Baseball) - February 29, 2012

It's Leap Day! Is there a better way to celebrate this quadrennial event than watching a baseball game in California before flying back to Japan? I couldn't think of one, so I ventured over to Fullerton to watch the Cal State Fullerton Titans taking on the Lions of Loyola Marymount in a non-conference game.

Goodwin Field

Opened in 1992 as Titan Field, Goodwin Field is celebrating its 20th anniversary this season. In that time, the Titans have amassed an amazing home advantage, winning over 75% of their contests played here. They also have won two national championships during those two decades, adding to the two they had won previously, making them a well-known program in college baseball.

The ballpark is located on the north side of the campus, just off Yorba Linda Boulevard. Parking costs $8 for any long-term lot (i.e. greater than 2 hours) within the campus confines but is not enforced on Friday evenings or weekends, which is when most games are held so this shouldn't be a problem. Lot G is the closest to the stadium.

Tickets vary from $15 for the good box seats down to $8 for general admission. There are ushers but they didn't seem to check for tickets, so if you are there for a less popular game, you can just buy the cheapies and sit where you want. Be aware though that this team does draw well for certain rivalries, but it doesn't matter, there is not a bad seat in the place. There is a screen that covers most of the seating area but section D has a clear view as do the unreserved sections.

The ballpark is park of a larger sports complex and the softball field shares the concourse above first base. I doubt they play games at the same time, but I did see the softball team practicing (above) which was quite interesting. Another sport I have to add to the list.

The Titans do a great job of commemorating their storied past. There is a list of every All-American as well as other national awards that takes up a whole side wall of the press box (above), and on the other side you will see the Wall of Champions which includes the rosters of all four national champs (below) as well as individual plaques for those stars who played here, including Tim Wallach and Mark Kotsay.

Above each section are small banners that list star players who have used those particular numbers, another nice touch.

There is a VIP room as well that is heated but didn't seem to be used by too many fans. You can see it on the right side of the picture below.

Above the batters eye are pennants for each team in the Big West conference, another feature I haven't seen before at this level.

There are lots of concession choices here, including several trucks which offer options that are not usually available at college ballparks. Prices were not cheap though, with pizza slices going for $5. Kettle corn seemed to be a fan favourite with snack bags just $3 and certainly providing far more than a snack.

Unlike other NCAA ballparks, Goodwin Field has local advertising above the fences, perhaps because it was also used by an independent league team, the Orange County Flyers. A charter member of the Golden Baseball League that were managed for a season by the late Gary Carter, the Flyers did not play in 2011 but intend to be part of the North American Baseball League this season.

Overall, Goodwin Field is a great college ballpark, and is definitely worth checking out if you are in LA, as it is less than 30 miles from downtown and will provide you with a chance to appreciate a baseball program that has succeeded over the years and is still relatively unknown outside college baseball circles.

The Game

Loyola Marymount is not a baseball powerhouse coming in at 2-5 while Fullerton was ranked #17 by the NCAA despite a rather unimpressive 4-3 start. The player to watch here is Michael Lorenzen (below), a sophomore who played with Team USA this past summer.

As this was a midweek game, neither team started their top pitchers, with the Lions sending lanky lefty Matt Florer (below) to face Koby Gauna, a freshman making his first college start.

LMU scored in the top of the second on a single, wild pitch, and another single but Fullerton tied it when Lorenzen doubled to lead off the third, advanced on a wild pitch and scored when the catcher threw the ball wildly past third base. That was all for Florer, who was replaced by Kevin Glomb, the first of 5 Lions' relievers on the day.

The game remained tied until the 7th when Scott Harkin led off with a homer for LMU, but again the Titans tied it, this time using 2 balks from LMU's Ramiro Carreon to plate the run.

Things went from bad to worse for LMU in the 8th. A leadoff single and sacrifice bunt were all well and good, but a hit batsman and a walk loaded the bases. Matt Orloff then attempted a squeeze but Lions' hurler Aaron Griffin threw wild to allow the first run to score and sending him to the showers. Then Keegan Dale executed a perfect bunt off Ryan Hawthorne to score another and Lorenzen grounded out to make it 5-2. Another single scored the final run of the night as the Titans used 3 unearned runs in the frame to win 6-2.

As you can tell, this was not a pretty game, with errors, wild pitches, balks, and passed balls all contributing to runs. Not only was the play rather poor, so was the umpiring. In the bottom of the third, Carlos Lopez grounded to short but the throw was offline. The first baseman missed the tag but Lopez missed the base (below). The umpire called safe too early though, when he should have said nothing, causing the Lions' manager to come out for an explanation. Lopez was later picked off second in another questionable call.

Not a wonderful game with all the bad plays and officiating, but that is what makes baseball so interesting. I'm just glad the game didn't go to extras as I needed to get to LAX for my flight home, which I did with plenty of time to spare.

Notes

Blue Jay ace Ricky Romero was a member of the 2004 championship team, winning two games in the College World Series. David Cooper, another Blue Jay who is on the bubble this spring is also a former Titan.

Loyola Marymount was the first school to play at Goodwin Field, being swept in a doubleheader on April 18, 1992.

College baseball is still a sport that thrives without the hype. The fans here were a lot of fun and although there were a few LMU supporters, there was some good-natured ribbing. Much like minor league ball, the game is the most important thing and fans don't derive their identity from the success or failure of the team. I'll be trying to add more college ballparks to my list as it is so much more enjoyable than the hype machines that are college football and basketball.

Next Up

I'm back in Japan and taking it easy for the next month. I'll be going to Okinawa for a week near the end of March and will see the two top bj League teams in action there, and I've got tickets to the first MLB game of the season in Tokyo on March 28, so I'll be recapping those. In the meantime, the sports world has seen lots of big news with the expanded MLB playoffs the most interesting. I'll be adding a few commentary posts on these and other news items, so check back often.

Best,

Sean

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Minnesota Timberwolves 109 at Los Angeles Clippers 97 - February 28, 2012

After watching Pepperdine upset USC in NCAA baseball, I drove the 35 miles to downtown LA to check out the suddenly popular Clippers hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first game after the NBA All-Star break.

Staples Center

I've discussed the Staples Center here before, so won't bother with any more details. Street parking around the arena is free from 6 pm, so no need to pay for parking if you get there a bit early. Olive Street, about 4 blocks away, had plenty of spots. Tickets are somewhat cheaper here than for the Lakers but that might change next year if Lob City continues to thrive. I was fortunate to find a center court seat eights rows from the floor at a reasonable price. Basketball is a much different game when you are sitting up close and can see the expressions on the players' faces and overhear some of the conversations.

I also noticed that the scoreboard here has small screens underneath for those in the first few rows who can't see the main board. I've never seen that before and it's a good addition.

The Game

The teams were wearing throwback uniforms from the ABA, so it was the Minnesota Muskies against the LA Stars. I love these retro nights as it makes for a change from seeing the same old uniforms every game.

LA got started quickly, storming out to an 18-8 lead behind 9 points from Blake Griffin (above). Minnesota fought back but Griffin was simply unstoppable, finishing the quarter with 18 points as the Clippers took a 31-22 lead.

Griffin was rested to start the second although he wasn't in foul trouble (that's him commiting a hard foul on Wesley Johnson above). Minnesota stayed with their bench to start the second and it paid off as rookie Derek Williams (2nd overall pick out of Arizona) and Michael Beasley helped get them within three at the half.

The teams traded baskets throughout the third quarter, but the Clippers could not gain a decisive advantage and they went to the fourth up 76-73. It was one of those games where you could sense the tide was turning as LA should have been up by much more.

Sure enough, Williams made a 3-point shot to start the stanza and tie the game and when Martell Webster added a lay-up a couple of minutes later, the Timberwolves had their first lead since the opening basket. The Clippers tied it at 80, but from there, their shooting touch deserted them while Williams and Beasley couldn't miss, leading Minnesota on a 24-7 run over six minutes that sealed the game.

Williams finished with a career-high 27 and became the first player in NBA history to shoot 90% FG (min 10 FGA) and 100% on 3s (min 4) & FT (min 5) in a game.

Beasley also finished with 27, perhaps showcasing his talents for a potential trade to the Lakers.

The Timberwolves' bench contributed 72 points, most in the NBA this season

Griffin led all scorers with 30, but spent a lot of time on the bench, which I found a bit odd given his strong start, although as this was the first game after the All-Star break, it might make some sense.

Not a bad game, it was good to see two up-and-coming teams go at it. The Clippers need to play more of a team game rather than relying on their alley-oops; fans want wins more than they want pretty plays. There were no signature Chris Paul-Griffin dunks, but there were two from Mo Williams to DeAndre Jordan. Still, dunks are only worth two points, better not to waste possessions trying to be fancy.

Notes

Billy Crystal was in the crowd after his Oscar-hosting gig, sitting courtside about 10 rows in front of me.

Next Up

Today is my last day in North America. My flight is at midnight though, so I have enough time to visit Cal State Fullerton to watch them host Loyola Marymount in NCAA baseball action. Check back this weekend for a recap as well as a summary of the trip.

Best,

Sean

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USC Trojans 2 at Pepperdine Waves 7 (NCAA Baseball) - February 28,2012

When I first planned this trip, I had 3 events scheduled for this day: an NCAA golf tournament in the morning, an NCAA baseball game at 3 in the afternoon, and an NBA game in the evening. The schedule was tight and I figured I'd have to leave the baseball game early to deal with the LA rush hour to get to the Staples Center on time.

Fortunately, though, things sorted themselves out. First, the golf tourney was being held at a private club. Public spectators were welcome, but there was a dress code for which I did not bring the necessary accoutrement (i.e. no jeans allowed). Secondly, the ballgame at Pepperdine was moved to 2 pm, so I would be able to see all of that and still have plenty of time to make it downtown for the Clippers and Timberwolves. And that's what I did.

Eddy D. Field Stadium

The Pepperdine campus is in Malibu, just off the Pacific Coast Highway, comfortably nestled in the seaside cliffs. In the middle of it is a jewel of a ballpark, Eddy D. Field Stadium, opened in 1973 and renovated a couple of times since then.

Arriving on campus, you'll receive a free parking pass at the gate and drive up the road to the parking lot. You can park right behind the outfield fence but there is a sign warning of baseball damage, so most people park in an upper lot.

I parked in a small lower lot near the fence and from here, took an indirect path to the park, walking up about 100 stairs to get a great overhead view of the stadium and the surrounding area, and then walking back down and entering the concourse behind home plate.

Tickets are apparently $8 but I must have walked in the wrong way because I never saw anybody charging admission. I did get there quite early, over an hour before game time, so perhaps they didn't have gates set up yet. I did notice that other fans had a stamp on their hands so I guess I got away with one.

All seats are box and unreserved. There are about 2000 seats total and the entire seating section is protected by a screen.

There is one small concession stand selling pretzels, hot dogs, and Cracker Jack at prices you would find in a convenience store.

There is no cover from the sun, so bring a hat if it is a clear day. Sunglasses are also a necessity as it is bright throughout the afternoon.

Overall, this is one of the best places I have ever enjoyed a ballgame. You can't beat natural scenic beauty and that alone makes Eddy D. Field worth visiting.

The Game

USC won their first 7 games of the season and moved into the top 25 rankings at #21, while Pepperdine was a respectable 6-2. I still expected a blowout though, and got one, but not with the expected winner.

After two scoreless innings, the Waves got on the board in the bottom of the third. With the bases loaded thanks to a couple of walks and a single, Joe Sever (being congratulated at home above) crushed a pitch from Trojan starter Brandon Garcia over the left field fence for a grand slam and a 4-0 lead.

USC managed a run in their 5th when James Roberts (above) doubled and scored on a single by Garret Houts, but Pepperdine promptly replied with a sacrifice fly from Tony Cooper. The sixth inning also saw both teams score a run, with Pepperdines's coming on a monster homer from Sam Meyer (below), who also played solid defense at first.

The Waves added a final run in the 7th on a HBP with the bases loaded and USC never threatened to make the final was 7-2. Matt Maurer picked up the win for the Waves, going 5.1 solid innings and giving up just the 2 runs.

Not a fantastic game, but great to see a smaller program beat a larger one. I've never seen baseball in February before, and it was sweet to be sitting outside in the sunshine after two weeks of watching hockey in Canada.

Notes

Pepperdine was the national champion in 1992 and has won the West Coast Conference on several occasions, so they are not a weak team. Interestingly, they beat Cal State Fullerton in the final that year, and I'll be finishing the trip with a game there tomorrow.

Best,

Sean

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