Americana's Pastime: Snippets from in the Stands

Story and Photos by Jon Cerio

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Americana was in all its glory in Syracuse on Wednesday night.  The Chiefs ended up besting the Bisons, 6-1.  But there were stories happening in the stands. Everybody has a story.

From Down South

Rick Newman and his family weren’t necessarily rooting for a team.   He came from Maryland with his wife and two kids for the game.  Instead of the beach, his family of four is traveling up the East Coast this week, hitting as many minor league ballparks as they can along the way.  

His son plays baseball and is a huge fan of the sport.  Newman arranged for him to throw out the first pitch at the next stadium they visit, in Williamsport.

“Minor league baseball is awesome," Newman said.  "The players are really nice, they’re really accommodating.  They'll toss the kids baseballs.  They’re happy to sign autographs.  And you can get really good seats at very reasonable prices for a family of four."

From Up North

Rick and Pete Medora are brothers from Kingston, Ontario, Canada.  They, like the Newman family, are touring a bunch of minor league ballparks over the course of the week.  Rick says since 1990 they’ve been coming at least once a year to Syracuse, with only one exception.  He remembered going to the old MacArthur stadium.  

“Oh my gosh, where have I been?” he said.  “I just love the sights, the sounds, the smell of the place.  We haven’t quit coming, and we won’t quit coming."

The brothers have been all around AAA baseball, and have done AA as well.

“The heart of it to us is baseball,” Medora said.  “We love being in ballparks.  Have a beer, meet some people, eat some peanuts, have a hot dog.  It’s classic Americana."

“Internationala," Pete Medora added.

A Little to the West

Charles Greene may have been the staunchest Bisons supporter in attendance on Wednesday.  He is the President of the Buffalo Bisons Booster Club.  He’s missed a total of six Bison home games since 2001.

He knows all of the players and managers, and keeps in touch with many who’ve made it to the majors.  

“I used to tell people, I am friends with numerous millionaires,” Greene said.  

Going in Every Direction

Greene doesn’t think some fans appreciate the level of skill and effort that the players put forth.  

“Last week, the Bisons played three games in 24 hours,” Greene said.  “And then a bus trip back to Buffalo, from Scranton.  I mean, that is exceedingly tiring.  And then they have to turn around and play the next day in Buffalo."

Chiefs General Manager, Jason Smorol, added to that sentiment.  

“Until you go through it, you can’t understand it,” Smorol said.  

He said the players start in February, and work through September, unless they’re called up to play through October.  

“Our guys play 144 games in 152 days,” Smorol said.  “They call it a grind for a reason."