Story by Kevin Hollett
Photo by Taminator
People ask me what I do in winter when
there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do.
I stare out the window and wait for spring.
—Rogers Hornsby
The Vancouver Canadians baseball club is back for another season, wreaking havoc on the rest of the Northwest League. In the spirit of the old ball game, here are the top nine reasons to check out a Canadians game this summer:
9 / Granville Island and Whistler Beer
Really, what is a ball game without beer? In a word: boring.
8 / Nathan’s Hotdogs
Hotdogs are to baseball what fighting is to hockey—totally unnecessary but the game wouldn’t be the same without it. In the words of the immortal Humphrey Bogart, “A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.” Plus, the Canadians offer some of the best vegetarian fare, as evidenced by their PETA-approved menu.
7 / Fourth Inning Sushi Races
It’s a rivalry that’s up there with Yankees versus Red Sox or Giants versus Dodgers.
Who will prevail between Chef Wasabi, Ms. BC Roll and Mr. Kappa Maki? The between-innings, regionally-themed mascot race is a tradition throughout ballparks across North America. In New York City they have racing subway cars; in Milwaukee it’s competing sausages. Of course, Vancouver would have a sushi-themed race. What did you expect, a race between competing condo development projects?
6 / Promotions
One of the great things about minor league baseball is the endless promotions. Fireworks, one-dollar root beer floats, bring your dog to ball-park day, kids running the bases after the game. The list goes on. The good folks running the promotions also bring in former ballplayers throughout the season. The appearance I’m most looking forward to? Bill “Spaceman” Lee, the former Red Sox and Expo pitcher who is perhaps best known for his counterculture views in the 1960s as well as for throwing the slowest pitch in base-ball, the "Lee"-phus.
5 / The Girls of Summer
It’s true, the Canadians are endeavouring to make baseball more appealing to the fairer sex. They’re offering baseball clinics, tickets to games and a whole host of other perks to women that sign up to the female-only fan club. That’s right folks, baseball’s about to become a whole lot less dorky.
4 / The Errors
The Canadians are a Short Season Single-A ballclub, meaning they play just about the lowest level of professional baseball. The players who make up the roster are fresh out of college, or recently trans- planted from Latin America. Many are prone to the poor decision-making that afflicts all 20-year-old males. What does that mean for you, the fan? It means you’ll see some of the zaniest baseball this side of The Bad News Bears. The first game I caught this season featured two throwing errors on the same play that resulted in a Canadians player scoring from first base without a single hit recorded.
The fans couldn’t have been more thrilled. The lesson: expect the unexpected.
3 / Nat Bailey: The Ballpark
Historic Nat Bailey Stadium may be the prettiest park in all of baseball. ‘The
Nat’ was originally built in 1951 and has hosted its fair share of championship teams. The 5,000-plus seats are all located behind home plate and along the first and third base lines, resulting in a cozy atmosphere where spectators are huddled together above the action. Beyond the outfield fence to the west, lies Queen Elizabeth Park, and the serene backdrop lends an air of picturesque naturalism to the game.
2 / Nat Bailey: The Man
He brought us White Spot. There’s a beer named after him. He was a staunch supporter of baseball in Vancouver. In short, the late, great Nat Bailey deserves our reverence.
1 / Conner Crumbless
He’s number one in your programs and in your hearts, stands 5 foot 8 inches tall and weighs in at 175 pounds. He plays an adventurous right field and looks like your little brother. But he’s a spark plug, a dirt-dog type gamer, destined to come through with a big hit or stolen base. And he’s soon to be your favourite player. Buy your jersey now and thank me later.
