Day 1 of the California League 2014 road trip sees me in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley and the city of Visalia. I'm resting comfortably at a hotel (decided to forgo the hostel this time) after a long day of driving.
I left Highland in the early afternoon, set the cruise control and crossed over the Grapevine into the San Joaquin Valley. It's no secret on my feelings with driving on Baseball Road Trips, so it wasn't anything to write about. It was boring and it stunk not having anyone to talk to.
Visalia is about three-and-a-half hours from Highland. This city really is in the middle of nowhere in the midst of miles and miles of agricultural fields. I didn't get the chance to explore the city much, which is ironic considering I had my own vehicle.
The Visalia Rawhide play at Recreation Ballpark. It's located on the outskirts of the Visalia downtown in a city park of the same name. It was built in the 1950's using landfill from the 198 freeway construction project that goes through Visalia. The landfill was used to build a large mound and the main grandstand was carved out of that same mound. It underwent a renovation a few years ago that added a new suite building down the right field line and some more seats. The most unique feature of the park is the huge red barn in right-center field that signifies the Rawhide's and Visalia's agricultural heritage and tradition.
What will strike you as significant is the size of Recreation Park. It's so tiny and intimate that it has almost a bandbox feeling. There is literally no foul territory meaning that every seat is close to the field. While netting obscures every seat, you sense that it is necessary just because of how close the seats are. In speaking to the intimacy, since it was built during a time when skyboxes and fan amenities were secondary, the fans are packed in like sardines. The Rawhide drew more than 2,000, so quarters were close, but I didn't really mind.
I haven't seen such a community feel at a Minor League park in a long time. You really got the sense that the game and the park were the place to be in the city of Visalia. The fans were into it from the very beginning and showed a lot of passion. When you're put into a situation like that, the passion is infectious and I didn't mind at all the close quarters.
It may have been a small park in a small community, but the Rawhide have done such a great job of honoring their past. All along the concourse behind the stadium were banners and displays about the history of baseball in Visalia. They also made banners about the history of the California League. I've been to Major League parks that don't have as many historical displays of tradition as the Rawhide do. That is always very appealing to me and gives me something to do before the game starts.
Visalia fell behind early to the Stockton Ports and couldn't fight back losing 3-2.
After the game, I just came back to the hotel and relaxed for the rest of the evening.
I do have a busy day planned for tomorrow. I'll head south on the 99 making a stop in the city of Delano. I'm going to see the Forty Acres historical site in the city. This is where Cesar Chavez organized the famous Delano Grape Strike in the late 1960's.
The game in Bakersfield starts at noon. After the game, I'm thinking about taking the backway back to Highland and stop at the Tehachapi Pass to watch some trains. I'll see how I feel after the game, though.
Halfway through the trip, and I'm excited for the events of tomorrow. So, until then...
Always take on a 3-0 pitch ;)
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