BananaBall – Party Animals vs Coconuts Lakewood NJ
This weekend it was time for Weekend #4 with the Coconuts and #3 with the Party Animals – this time at the Jersey Shore in Lakewood, NJ.
Thursday I got to the game in time for the pre-plaza but unfortunately couldn’t go in as I had to take a call, but I was parked front row next to the stage so it was a little bit of torture watching all the players signing and not being able to get inside yet! Once I got inside I immediately got myself some water because it was going to be a VERY hot weekend and I knew, especially being alone, that I needed to keep up with my hydration and sun screen. The other thing I did once ballpark gates opened was grab myself an ice cream helmet! They had 3 different colored helmets so I was glad I was going to 3 games and would be able to hopefully get them all.
Coconuts won the first inning and took an early lead. Tanner Thomas fouled out to a fan in the 2nd. Former Met Todd Frazier took an at bat for the Party Animals in the 4th but was out, Coconuts walked it off in the 4th making it 2-0 and then did it again in the 5th making it 3-0. Party Animals scored in the 7th and 8th and got themselves the equalizer point tying it up 3-3 going into the 9th. They were unable to score in the top of the 9th and Brett Carson had a 3 run homerun in the bottom of the 9th leading the Coconuts to be victorious 6-3.
Friday I was about to do the pre-plaza party and finished my first water very, very early. There was talk of thunderstorm in the area so Bronny and I did a no thunder/lightning only rain dance, thinking that if a quick storm came through it would drop the temp a bit and they could still play without too much of a delay. (He also had me pinch the leprechaun Dustin Baber which I’m not sure how that works for any sort of luck) My friend wasn’t going to be getting to the game until closer to first pitch so rather than go inside to my seats and have to go all the way back to the ticket tent, I found a shaded area under cover and just sat myself there to people watch. It drizzled a few times and then it absolutely down poured a couple times as well – but the dance worked and there didn’t seem to be any thunder or lightning accompanying it. Unfortunately though it cooled things down for about 5 minutes the sun came right back out and it was hot again.
My friend showed up just in time for the game start. Bret Helton pitched a complete 9 inning shut out. There was 1 fan out against the Coconuts into a woman’s hat in the front row over the dug out. The Party Animals scored in the 2nd, 4th on a Tanner Thomas Home Run and 7th on a Noah Fisher HR but the Coconuts also scored a run in that inning so no one got a point. The Party Animals won, 2-0. Also worth noting – while my friend was in line to get some food and ice cream helmets, I saw former Met Anthony Recker walk by me with a banana ball staffer. I assumed he was going to go take an at bat with one of the teams. Nope. He ended up doing an in between inning game “no shoes, no shirt, no problem” and winning and just being called “Anthony” like he was just a regular Dad and not a former Major Leaguer. I am not sure if he wanted to remain semi-anonymous or if just no one realized who he was but when I told a couple of players afterwards they all had NO clue. I had tried to figure out if I could get his attention for a photo without causing a scene but everything was so loud I didn’t think I could call his name and have him hear me so now I just have a fun story to tell about the time the former major leaguer took his shirt off at a banana ball game. (I had decided I would try and grab him at the end of the game when things were already pretty chaotic and no one would hopefully notice, but he and his family left early.)
Saturday I went with another friend and we had BBB for their birthday. We got there early for the plaza but I was exhausted from it being my 3rd game of the weekend and we just kind of people watched until it was time to go on the field. We were taken down an elevator, through the tunnel where Andy Cosgrove was running up at us (very apologetically, I might add) and then the dug out had a RAMP! to the field. We made our way around to various players before it was time for the group photo. Then I wasn’t sure who was going to escort us back up to the concourse or if we should just wander back into the dugout like we knew what we were doing. Fortunately Coach Crocco was willing to escort us back to where we needed to be and we had time before the general public came in to get us down to our seats – where we were constantly shown on the broadcast!
Since Bret had pitched a complete game the night before, essentially every reliever that hadn’t pitched yet was going to pitch this one which made me a bit nervous. Also Skole and Bloomer were not there as they were attending friend’s weddings. Riyan Rodriquez started the game and the Coconuts did not score until the 3rd which I believe was when Jake Lialios came into the game. They scored again in the 4th on an Ashby Vining Home Run. Party Animals scored 1 in the 5th, and also the 6th after scoring 3 runs to the Coconuts 2 even with Dane Toftland’s HR. Ben Parker had a HR in the 8th and the Party Animals got the equalizer point once again making it tied going into the 9th. Reece Hampton got a Ball 4 Sprint, Mark came in to run, managed to steal 2 bases and get to 3rd, Andy Cosgrove hit him in with a single scoring 1 run and Drew was able to get balls in play to his outfielders on 3 consecutive batters leading the Party Animals to the series in 4-3!!!
Looking forward to another 3 games this weekend where I can properly root for the Coconuts because the Party Animals will not be present. They will be playing the Firefighters.