Minor League Fan Club John

In this week's episode we head to Wichita, Kansas to visit the Wichita Wind Surge of the Texas League. The Wind Surge are the AA affiliates of the Minnesota Twins. They play at Riverfront Stadium in


Follow Minor League Fan Club:

Instagram: @milbfanclub

TikTok: @minorleaguefanclub

Threads: @milbfanclub

X: @milbfanclub

YouTube: Minor League Fan Club

Website: www.minorleaguefanclub.com

In this week's episode we head to Manchester, New Hampshire to visit the Manchester Fisher Cats of the Eastern League. The Fisher Cats are the AA affiliates of the Toronto Blue Jays. They play at Delta Dental Stadium in downtown Manchester right along the Merrimack River.
Ballpark Guide
This week's Ballpark Guide is second year GM, Michael Neis. Neis has had a very diverse career in sports working in baseball, basketball, hockey, and NASCAR.
During the episode, Neis shares with us about what makes the alternate identities special to the community and some of the promotions that will be associated with them.
Fan Guide
Brian Krause shares his experience with collecting baseball cards and his love for the Fisher Cats.
He discusses his journey as a card collector, his preference for collecting older cards, and his goal of completing sets.
Brian also talks about the fan experience at Delta Dental Stadium, including the view from the Hilton Hotel, the seating options, and the food offerings.
He mentions some outdoor activities in Manchester, such as hiking in the White Mountains and visiting the SEE Science Center. Brian also recommends some local restaurants, including the Puritan Backroom and the Red Arrow Diner.
Business, Organization, or Event
I got to chat with Keating Tufts of Boards and Brews Board Game Cafe in Manchester, New Hampshire. The board cafe is a cozy and fun space where people can gather to play board games, enjoy drinks, and relax.
With over 2,000 board games available, visitors can choose from a wide variety of options.
The cafe also hosts meetups on Tuesday nights where people can learn and play new games. It is a family-friendly place with a full restaurant menu.
Located on Elm Street, it is a convenient spot for locals and visitors alike.
Follow the New Hampshire Fisher Cats:
Instagram: @fishercats
X: @fishercats
Website: https://www.milb.com/new-hampshire
Follow Michael Neis:
LinkedIn: Michael Neis
X: @michaelneis
Follow Brian Kraus:
X: @NHbskraus
Follow Minor League Fan Club:
Instagram: @milbfanclub
TikTok: @minorleaguefanclub
Threads: @milbfanclub
X: @milbfanclub
YouTube: Minor League Fan Club
Website: www.minorleaguefanclub.com

In episode 008, I am joined by Eric from Earned Fun Average and Ed from The Dad Hat Chronicles to discuss our experiences and tips for traveling for minor league level baseball road trips. 
We talk about the joy of exploring different cities, the importance of researching and planning for road trips, and offer tips and strategies. We also share their favorite things about road trips, such as visiting different ballparks and exploring the surrounding areas. 
The conversation covers topics like trip length, what to bring to the ballpark, and how to make the most of rain delays. We discuss the importance of researching the ballparks, checking their policies on outside food and bags, and considering the location of the hotel. They also recommend bringing snacks, water, chargers, and entertainment for the car ride. Overall, the tips shared focus on maximizing the enjoyment of the road trip experience.

Takeaways from this episode
- Minor league baseball road trips allow you to explore smaller cities and markets that you may not typically visit.
- Research and planning are key to a successful road trip, including checking the weather and knowing what you can and cannot bring to the ballpark.
- Rain delays can be frustrating, but it's important to be flexible and have backup plans for activities in case the game is delayed or canceled.
- Bringing a glove to the ballpark is always a good idea. 
- Checking out the surrounding area and local attractions can enhance the road trip experience.
- Research the ballparks and check their policies on outside food and bags
- Consider the location of the hotel and proximity to the ballpark
- Pack snacks, water, chargers, and entertainment for the car ride
- Coordinate group meetups and create a group text for communication
- Take advantage of free breakfast at the hotel
- Explore the amenities and food options at the ballpark
- Bring blankets, pillows, and other comfort items for the car
- Stay hydrated and take breaks for bathroom stops
- Plan for downtime during the drive with podcasts, audiobooks, or music
- Enjoy the experience and make lasting memories
Follow Eric:
Instagram: @epro04
X: @epro04
Follow Earned Fun Average:
Instagram:@earnedfunavg
X: @earnedfunavg
Follow Ed:
Instagram: @thedadhat216
X: @thedadhat216
YouTube: The DAD HAT Chronicles
Follow Minor League Fan Club:
Instagram: @milbfanclub
TikTok: @minorleaguefanclub
Threads: @milbfanclub
X: @milbfanclub
YouTube: Minor League Fan Club
Website: www.minorleaguefanclub.com

In this week's episode we travel to Fort Wayne, Indiana to visit the Fort Wayne TinCaps of the Midwest League. The TinCaps are the High-A affiliates of the San Diego Padres. Parkview Field, the ballpark that the TinCaps play in, is regularly named one of the best if not the best ballpark on a regular basis.
Ballpark Guide
This week's Ballpark Guide is John Nolan, play-by-play announcer and media Relations Manager for the TinCaps. John started with the team as an intern in 2013 and became the lead voice in 2015.
We begin our interview by discussing how John decided to get into becoming an announcer. We talk about his childhood and his love for sports.
As we start talking about the ballpark, we begin with an actual park located inside the baseball stadium that is open daily. People can come into the stadium and hang out at the park everyday.
Then we learn about all the great seating options throughout the ballpark. This ballpark has more unique seating options than most.
John and I discuss the food offerings at the ballpark especially the specialty apple items as well as a Midwest delicacy in the pork tenderloin.
We then learn about Johnny TinCap the TinCaps mascot and his impact on the community.
Fan Guide
This week I get to chat with Logan Wiening of Old Fort Baseball Co., an apparel brand based in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
We begin by talking about how he got started with Old Fort Baseball Co. and future aspirations for the brand.
He then walks us throughout the ballpark sharing a fan perspective on ballpark seating, views, and food.
Logan also talks about the best apple dish offered as well as the team playing as the Hoosier State Pork Tenderloins.
As we continue the interview, Logan gives us insight on where to park if we don't park in the attached garage. Parking is free on nights and weekends on the street. There are also hotels that we can stay at that are right next to the stadium downtown.
When we make it into Fort Wayne, we learn about the new Riverfront area and murals throughout the city.
Logan gives us some suggestions to try for food. He says some popular places are Powers Hamburgers, Fort Wayne's Coney Island Dogs, The Landing, and J.K. O'Donnell's.
Kid Friendly activities include Science Central and the Fort Wayne Zoo.
An annual event to consider when making road trips is the Three Rivers Festival that happens in July. There's also the German Fest in June.
Business, Organization, or Event
This week's business is Fuller Plants with Jessica Fuller. Fuller Plants offers all types of houseplants as well as personal services. Some services offered is one-on-one consultations either in person, at your home, or via text.
Jessica also will revive your plant if they are dying if it is salvageable.
Jessica recommends different types of plants for beginners and more advanced planters.
Follow Fort Wayne TinCaps:
Instagram: @TinCaps
X: @TinCaps
Website: https://www.milb.com/fort-wayne
Follow John:
Instagram: @john_g_nolan
X: @john_g_nolan
TikTok: @john_g_nolan
Follow Logan & Old Fort Baseball Co.:
Instagram: @oldfortbaseballco
X: @oldfortbballco
Follow Fuller Plants:
Instagram: @fullerplants
TikTok: @fullerplants
Website: https://www.oldfortbaseballco.com/
Follow Minor League Fan Club:
Instagram: @milbfanclub
TikTok: @minorleaguefanclub
Threads: @milbfanclub
X: @milbfanclub
YouTube: Minor League Fan Club
Website: www.minorleaguefanclub.com

This is a short episode this week to update you on the goings-on for Minor League Fan Club going forward.
There is going to be a change in the schedule to be able to accommodate my weeks as well as sustainability.
There will also be more opportunity to do more with other aspects of Minor League Fan Club that I feel has fallen by the wayside.
Follow Minor League Fan Club:
Instagram: @milbfanclub
TikTok: @minorleaguefanclub
Threads: @milbfanclub
X: @milbfanclub
YouTube: Minor League Fan Club
Website: www.minorleaguefanclub.com

In this week's episode we travel to Bridgewater, NJ/Somerset County to visit the Somerset Patriots of the Eastern League. The Patriots are the AA affiliates of the New York Yankees.
Ballpark Guide
This week's Ballpark Guide is Dave Marek, VP of Marketing, for the Somerset Patriots. He has been with the team for 24 years working with the team when they were in the independent Atlantic League and now as a Minor League affiliate.
During the interview, Dave and I discuss his reignited passion of collecting baseball cards and building his baseball card collection room.
Then he discusses how it has been working for the Patriots and the great owners for the last two decades and how working for the team differentiates between being independent versus affiliated.
He then walks us around the ballpark and talks about the upgrades that have been made, what it's like traveling to the ballpark, weather in the area during the season, and the great amenities throughout the ballpark.
We of course talk about the food offerings and different promotions that occur during the season.
Fan Guide
Our Fan Guide this week is Matt Slattery who is a season ticket holder of the Patriots. Matt attends almost every single home game with his daughter.
Matt and I begin the interview discussing the team being Yankees affiliates which prompt him to become a season ticket holder.
Then we begin discussing who his daughters' favorite players are which leads us into talking about how great the players are with interacting with the kids.
Matt then takes us through the ballpark describing the amenities from a fan perspective and where there are good places to sit during the game. He shares about how just outside the stadium there is a ton of shopping, restaurants, and hotels that you can basically have all the conveniences right next to the ballpark if you were visiting.
When we begin talking about the town itself, Matt recommends visiting the website visitsomersetnj.org for all the things to do in town. But he does highly recommend going to Somerville where there is an area with everything you could want to do from shopping to eating to entertainment.
Business, Organization, or Event
The business that is on this week is a small business called Lulu's Nutrition. Lulu's Nutrition is located in Somerset and serves up health food, snacks, teas, and shakes.
Follow Somerset Patriots:
Instagram: @somersetpatriots
X: @SOMPatriots
Website: https://www.milb.com/somerset
Follow Dave:
X: @davemarek94
Follow Matt:
Instagram: @mattnj
Follow Lulu's Nutrition:
Facebook: Lulu's Nutrition
Instagram: @lulus.nutrition
More on Somerset, New Jersey
visitsomesetnj.com
Follow Minor League Fan Club:
Instagram: @milbfanclub
TikTok: @minorleaguefanclub
Threads: @milbfanclub
X: @milbfanclub
YouTube: Minor League Fan Club
Website: www.minorleaguefanclub.com

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Baseball Card Collection
07:56 Transition from Independent to Affiliated Baseball
16:19 Location and Parking
19:08 Ticket Prices and Weather
21:20 TD Bank Ballpark Features and Amenities
25:42 Food Offerings and Promotions
31:08 Activities for Kids
34:05 Social Media and Conclusion
35:17 Intermission MLFC.mp3
35:30 Introduction and Experience as a Season Ticket Holder
37:32 Unique Experience for Youth at TD Bank Ballpark
43:43 Favorite Features and Amenities at the Ballpark
46:24 Ballpark Food and Dining Options
49:14 Transportation to the Ballpark
50:41 Promotions and Events at the Ballpark
52:33 Exploring Bridgewater and Somerset County
54:55 Unique Landmarks and Photo Ops
58:39 Local Food Recommendations
59:19 Conclusion and Contact Information
59:58 Intermission MLFC.mp3
01:00:11 Introduction and Background
01:04:46 Customer Experience at Lulu's Nutrition
01:06:29 Introduction to the Somerset Patriots and TD Bank Ballpark
01:06:58 Call to Action: Leave Ratings, Subscribe, and Share on Social Media