 |
| Frederick, MD - Harry Grove Stadium |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Copyright 2002 Chris Trapani All photographs and text on this website and webpage are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the written consent of the holder of the copyrights, Chris Trapani. Direct all e-mail inquiries to [email protected]. |
| The Park The Frederick Keys, named for Francis Scott Key, who is buried nearby, is the Carolina League (Class A) affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. The O�s just about have a monopoly on Maryland. The Double A team is in Bowie and another Single A (South Atlantic League) team is in Salisbury, on the eastern shore. (No, not the Steaks, the Delmarva Shorebirds. They play in Perdue Stadium, after all.) A New York Penn League (Short Season A) affiliate will begin play in Aberdeen in 2002. The only other professional team in the state is the Hagerstown Suns, a San Francisco Giants affiliate. At one time, the O�s Double A franchise was there, but they moved about 10 years ago. Enough geography and history. Harry Grove Stadium reminded me of Prince Georges Stadium in Bowie, right down to the merry-go-round. The mascot is Keyote, a coyote. |
| That Day I saw the Keys play the Potomac Cannons, a St. Louis Cardinals affiliate, on July 17, 2001. It was a hot summer afternoon, and the park was filled with summer camp kids. I went to my seat near the field initially, but it was so hot that I had to move back into the shade, near the kids. It was loud, but it was cooler. The Cannons scored twice in the 5th, on a 2-run shot by third baseman Brian Fatur. They exploded in the 6th, sending 13 men to the plate and scoring 9 runs. Right fielder Dee Haynes hit two HRs, first a 2- and then a 3-run shot. DH Landon Brandes also hit a 3-run HR. Interestingly, the Cannons only had one hit outside of the 5th or 6th innings. Not surprisingly, the crowd thinned after that half inning. Those who left didn�t miss anything � the final was 11-0. That evening, I saw a game in Allentown, PA in which a total of 27 runs were scored. And who says pitching is thin? |
| Merry-go-round and scoreboard. |
| View from lawn seats. |
| View from my seats in the shade. |
| Keyote. |
| HRs in the 6th by Haynes and Brandes. Notice the frustrated pose of the third baseman (hand on hip). |