Extra Innings

In 2020 Major League Baseball created a new group of teams called the Draft League. They already had Triple-A, Double-A, and Single-A minor league teams, with AAA being the one closest to the majors. In the first half of the season, the Draft League is made up of college students wanting to play more baseball after their college season ends, and before training starts up in the fall. In the second half of the season, the league is made up of men in their mid-20s not quite ready to give up their dreams. The first half has scouts at every game watching the young talent. The second half has few scouts visiting.

Behind the scenes, the game is very structured. Players are in the game for a set amount of time so a scout can see them. The goal is less about doing what it takes to win, and more about showcasing the players.

That's an over simplification, but it sets the stage for the next part of this post: what to do when the game is tied.

Ashley and I went to the game last night. A friend's son works for the away team.  He receives some comp tickets. His parents didn't want to go because of the heat and they offered the seats to me. I asked Ashley to join me.

I arrived nearly an hour into the game because I thought it started at 7, instead it started at 6. Fortunately for me, the game was only in the second inning. Thunder was ahead. Some back and forth, and at the end of the bottom of the ninth, Thunder and State College Spikes were tied.

I remembered hearing there were different rules for how they solve a tie. A couple of years ago we went to a game and it started to pour during an early inning. The coaches decided to scrap the game because there was no reason for anyone to get hurt. Along those lines, they want to wrap up a game as quickly as possible when there is a tie.

As of 2022, the rules are:

1) They play a winner take all half inning.

2) Before the game, the home team manager decides at a plate meeting who will play offense, and who will be defense if there is a tie.

3) If offense scores, they win. If they do not score, defense wins.

4) Offense starts with a man on first, the third out from the ninth inning.

5) Offense has three outs.

6) The win or loss counts, but not any other player stats.

There are some other crazy Draft League rules, including games played on Tuesdays in the first half of the season (with the exception of the home opener) are seven innings instead of nine.

On Saturday night, Thunder elected to play offense. With one on base, the first batter walked. Now we have two on base. The Spikes pitcher took too long and those on base sauntered as they advanced to the next base. The second batter hit a line drive. He ran past first base straight into the arms of teammates as the player on third crossed the plate giving the home team the win.

I note this because someday we may return to a traditional team and I'll wonder what the crazy rules were.

2026 Digging Season at Red Bank

This year I graduated from public volunteer to the Trench Team. The Trench Team is made up of professional archaeologists, students doing field work, and avocational archaeologists. My friends and I mostly fall into the latter category, with a couple of professionals tossed in.

The lovely, easy to sift, dirt

The season in four weeks long. The first week the weather was stunning. Dan, James, Mark, Martha, and I kept marveling at how wonderful the dirt is at Red Bank National Park. A scant two months ago we all bonded through the mud and freezing temperatures at Fort Mifflin. I think we spent most of the first week oversharing with the public just how perfect the conditions were. The dirt is dumped on the screen. After three shakes all but the pebbles and artifacts sift out. It felt like magic!

Graphite: my personal most exciting find
of the season

The second week was the same, but warmer. That week has a strong focus on encouraging veterans to participate. It is humbling being with them knowing they have endured more than I ever will. Max, the woman in charge of the Fort Mifflin site, runs Eternal-Soldier in Philadelphia. She told me about how much programs like this help veterans. She is passionate about this program.

The third week I divided my time between screening and metal detecting. I fell in love with metal detecting three years ago on my second public archaeology day. I went back the following year and found a darling pin of a hand holding a tiny flag that likely dates back to the sesquicentennial celebrations of 1926 or 1927 (the Battle of Red Bank took place in 1777).

The third week is Family Archaeology. Lots of small children who are curious, as well as energetic. It is good to introduce them to this field.

The day went well. I was able to do some mapping, which I really enjoy. Max endorsed me to the archaeologist who was going to do it alone. I don't know if it was any faster having me help, but it felt good to be able to use different skills.

Wrapping up this day seemed to take longer. Max wanted to push to where she wanted to finish for the day, which meant us screeners had to keep screening even though we were ready to pack it in. Think of it as the one washing dishes finishes before the one drying said dishes. 

We finished, and started to take things down. In an effort to be helpful, I was
trying to hold up a string so the plywood could be woven under it. I leaned over too far, or the wall was not as strong as I thought it was. In any case I fell four feet into the pit, and caused more damage trying to get out. As far as I know, no pictures exist. Everyone was kind. After making sure I was okay, they helped me out, gave me water and a chair, and a clean washcloth. Wade, the head of the archaeology team, checked in on me. Other than a giant bruise on my arm where I hit the aluminum ladder, and a bruised ego, I seem fine. This morning I found a few more bruises.

On a happier note, here are pictures of some of the finds. I was not as excited about what I found this year. There were a lot of pebbles with a few flakes tossed in. While metal detecting, I worked hard to find a hand cut nail. After two years of digging at Newlin Grist Mill and finding hand cut nails almost every time I dig, it does not hold the same appeal for me. Still, I took a picture because that bugger was down about a foot and I had to work hard for it. The funny part of the experience was having the lead metal detectorist, Dana, patiently showing me the different levels and describing it means when the soil changes. I asked him if he wanted me to "Munsell it," and he realized I understood the different layers of dirt. I found a newer nail near the top of the hole, likely the one that set the metal detector off in the first place. 

Other finds:

A blood letter (for letting blood)
from the late 18th century

There is one more week this season. I am opting to visit Stacy at the Lord Sterling site instead, followed by seeing a different Stacey portray Molly Pitcher. I know the best stuff is always found in the last hour of the last day, but I'll choose to live vicariously instead.

Catching up

Be prepared for a bunch of posts to happen. 

On my to do list are the desire to write the following posts:

1) Trenton Thunder Game from a Suite

2) Philadelphia Museum of Art

3) Calder Garden

4) Firestone Library's Exhibit

5) African American Cemetery

6) Penn Museum

7) Rockefeller Center 

The order will shift around.

As people read my posts, I am thinking about splitting my blog into two parts: 

One for travels that I'll feel comfortable sharing with strangers. Those will be shared on pillsburytravels.blogspot.com

One that is more personal where I'll blog about politics, family, smaller things. That will stay here at Pillspress.blogspot.com.

Sunday Fun Day

Sunday turned into a busy, busy day when I triple booked myself. It started when Carolyn asked me to usher with her and I forgot I had already told Elizabeth and Wynn we would go to the Charlie Schultz Color Run in memory of their son.

The robotics club at Charlie's high school started the color run in 2023. Neither the students nor the advisors had even met Charlie. When the school reached out to his parents they were extremely touched. Charlie was gentle, kind, thoughtful soul who packed a lot into his young life before he lost his battle with mental illness. We met Charlie before he transitioned. I wish we had gotten to know him after he became his true self. 

When the students reached out to his parents they encouraged them to set up a foundation. This year they were able to give scholarships to two students to help them each with their studies. 

This is the third time Don and I have been able to attend. The large group is often divided into two main sections: those who are current high school robotics students and the rest of us (friends of Wynn and Elizabeth). The course is three-quarters of a mile long. The other two years Don and I ran four and a little bit to reach 5K.

This year we settled for three laps, 2.25 miles, because I was running late to the next part of my day: ushering at Somerset Valley Player's production of "Crimes of the Heart." I love ushering because it helps me feel connected with the theater. When I see a show by myself I hide into the woodwork, unless I happen to know someone. With ushering I have to talk to people. Carolyn and I handled the surprise issues with a smile and grace. In between we showered at a local Planet Fitness and grabbed lunch at Quick Check. 

I made it home in time to regroup and walk to church for our last TAIZE service of the year.

Suite Trenton Thunder Game

On June 1st, the day before Trenton Thunder's opening day game, Michael posted  on Facebook he had a few tickets to the second day's game, was anyone interested? By the way, the seats are in a suite. I messaged him immediately saying I was interested, and thanking him profusely.

Michael and I met years ago when HiTops started organizing the Princeton Half Marathon in 2012. Michael worked for HiTops. Fourteen years later, I don't remember how I got involved, only that I enjoyed being on that side of the process. My role was that of a local runner who had opinions on how a race should be run. A year later Don became involved as the lead cyclist who showed the runners the official course.

Michael eventually left HiTops and our friendship shifted to Facebook.

When he share he had tickets to a suite, I assumed it was related to some
company he was connected to needing to fill a box. When Ashley was little, the dad of one of her friends worked for company that had a box at Waterfront Park that went unused on day games. He gave the tickets to us moms and we had playdates in the suite. The kids were contained. The moms sat outside and watched the game. It was a really nice deal. Eventually he gave up the suite and had two tickets behind home plate. Every so often the dad would send me an email asking if I wanted the tickets because the owner wanted to stay in the club reserved for people who used most of their tickets each year (90%?). I was happy to oblige. Tickets were left under his doormat. I made sure both tickets were scanned, and I was able to keep one of the two promos. This all happened while Ashley was in preschool, long before I started blogging.

In 2021 when baseball returned after the pandemic Trenton had two teams: AAA Buffalo Bisons and the Draft League. Those of us who really like baseball remember the AAA team fondly, and bemoan the continued existence of the Draft League in Trenton. Each year we've been told there are discussions to bring a new team to Trenton. Much money has been spent on everything from the locker rooms to the field to encourage a new team. Likely a AA team based on the seating capacity. Meanwhile, the season lasts from June through August. Much like how the first half of summer belongs to the birds and second half to insects, the first half of the season belongs to college students and the second half to those post-college still hanging onto the dream a little bit longer. The games are played for the scouts to see the talent. Groups sales are strongly encouraged. The rest of us are just along for the ride.

For at least a decade Don and I attended opening day in April with a small crowd of mostly season ticket holders. We cuddled under a blanket and sipped hot chocolate. Opening day in June still feels wrong. It is too hot. Too crowded.

I jumped at Michael's offer. We were high above the crowd of 3,300 fans (the stadium fits twice that many), dodging fly balls on the first base side. Heavenly.

More than half of the crowd (1,900 people) was connected to the school who sang the National Anthem. 

Up in the suite were Michael, his family, and a couple of friends. Seated directly behind me were Brian and Megan. When I go to a game, I fill out a score card and mostly pay attention. I don't buy food. I try not to go to the bathroom. I am focused. I was surprised when Brian identified me as "Nike Zoom Structure." I turned around and recognized him as the former manager from the Princeton Running Company. He left about seven years ago to go to Trek. He said he is bad with names, but remembers people by the sneakers they wear and the tires they put on their bicycles.

I knew Boomer, the head mascot, makes a round in the suites. He often engages with the people down below, sometimes spraying water on them or trying to get them to cheer. It makes sense that Cloudman also makes an appearance. 

What I was not expecting was that Eric (the last original Trenton Thunder hire) would come upstairs with the Thunder bat dogs: Rookie and Dash. Rookie is retiring after eight seasons, and receiving international press. Dash, age six, is taking over as the main bat dog. I went to some games when both Rookie and Dash were on the field. Their bat dog duties were mostly contained to the first inning when Thunder was at bat. Some games I saw Rookie handle the first inning, and Dash the second. There were games when they were both out at the same time as if Rookie was showing Dash the ropes. I'm not a dog person, but when I see the Thunder dogs I pause and scratch them. The Thunder dogs live with Eric.

Dash

Rookie

When I saw the name plate I realized the box belonged to Michael and not a company or an organization. I asked him for the backstory. He said back in February Thunder had a half off sale on suites (the story is a little more complicated and was tied to the Super Bowl, but in the end, it was half off). They were able to rent the suite for $250 for a game, which gave them 13 tickets. Food and parking was extra. When I told Don about the deal he suggested we keep an eye out for it for next season. It would be a fun way to spend my birthday.

Thunder won the game, which is always an added bonus on an already fun outing.

Go Thunder!

Global Running Day

I have not been running much lately. I'm really not sure why not. I have theories. mostly relating to I just don't want to run. When I do put on my sneakers, and start the running app, I default to a brisk powerwalk.

I can't say I am in pain, mostly that I don't find my rhythm. 

I have a theory that I am passionate about a type of exercise for a few years. Then it is time to move on. When I first started working, I took lunchtime strolls. Around the time we moved to our current home I started rollerblading. Then it was running.  I wrote this post in 2015 that I was shifting to cycling, but that never really caught on.

I'm thinking my current interest is powerwalking, and that I shouldn't get upset with myself about it. 

We'll see. Maybe I'll return to running.

An addendum: I decided to dash to Trenton to join the Tuesday night Downtown Fit run after I wrote this. I really enjoy the group. Though no one is near my pace (the runners are too fast, the walkers are too slow) they welcome me. They greet me with a smile and wait to make sure I safely return. It is a community. I set my head on running the usual 2.4 mile loop over the two bridges, but they chose the longer, shadier Stacey Park run. I still did most of the 2.4 miles I had in my head, but walked the last half mile. Stay tuned.

Delaney Hall Protests

It is rarely good news when your state makes international news, after all the press tends to focus on the negative. The spotlight on Minneapolis following the murders of Alex Pretti and Renee Good have now shifted to Newark, New Jersey's Delaney Hall Detention Center. Let's call it what it is: a concentration camp. 

Last week Senator Andy Kim was tear gassed when he tried to go inside the facility. As a United States Senator, it is part of his job to oversee what is happening to make sure his constituents are being taken care of. Governor Mikie Sherrill (NJ) was denied entry. Families of detainees are not allowed inside. The detainees are being fed food with maggots, they are being denied medical care (one doctor for 800 detainees), they are not receiving due process (a right given to everyone in our country, not just citizens). Last week they started a hunger strike to gain attention. It is working, but the word is still not getting out. Maybe someone will read this and feel compelled to learn more.

Mainstream media is portraying them as being disappointed with what they are watching on TV. They do not have televisions to watch. 

These are conditions that if they were happening at a school, hospital, or day care center would receive government officials to inspect. 

The detention center is being run by a private company raking in a small fortune while not taking care of the basic needs of those imprisoned.

The situation has gotten so bad, that for the first time Don joined me for a protest. We did not bring a sign. Baby steps for him. We stood on the edge and listened. We heard from speakers who have gone to Newark to protest. Who have been attacked by pepper spray, who have witnessed NJ State Police shoving protesters into traffic and causing more harm.

The root of today's protest held in Trenton in front of the State House was to get the governor's attention. To encourage her to join us outside and explain herself. She stayed hidden during the hour we were there. I honestly don't blame her. She recently announced there would be safe zones where people can express their First Amendment rights. Well that didn't sit well with the protesters. In the United States we have the right to protest any where as long as it is not on public property. When that right starts to be whittled away at, we lose more rights. That's the definition of fascism.

Gov. Sherrill is a Democrat. Prior to being governor, she was a congresswoman who had a track record of saying just enough to seem to be on the side of protecting people's rights, without actually protecting them.

The speakers were passionate. The microphone was open to anyone who felt a desire to speak. One woman began with "I disagree with you," to be met with boos. She disagreed with a speaker who said it is okay for marginalized people to sit this fight out, that it is up to the white people who have been sitting stuff out to step up now. That we have to ratchet it up and leave our comfort zones. It will get tougher. Gentle protests in the suburbs are no longer enough. We must fight back with the force they are fighting with. 

Some of what was said echoed what Springsteen said on his tour: we can't count on others to fight this fight, it is up to us.

I can't say I'm looking forward to leaving my comfort zone, but I need to figure out how to do so. We are in for a rough summer.

Signs seen today: