The Baseball Trip 20

Day 15   Tuesday July 6

We are heading north and east to Marion, Illinois. On the way, we had to stop in Branson, Missouri. Branson is Wisconsin Dells on crack.

Random Observation from Randy: We can't be this close to Branson without showing you. It's stupid.

Replica - One third of the Titanic. Why? I don't know.

Transformers...yeah!

Ozarkland..yeah!

Anyway, we made our way to Marion, Illinois to see the Southern Illinois Miners play the Gateway (Illinois) Grizzlies. The Grizzlies won 3-2 in ten innings in a close game. Both belong to the Independent Leagues, which mean they belong to nobody. There must have been at least 200 in attendance.

Umpires convene at home plate.

Right-center field scoreboard.

Left field fence.

Behind home plate.

The Miners are pretty protective of their facilities:

And, of course, my mascot friend, Grounder:

Grounder.

Random Observation from Randy: I think it's a girl. She did a cartwheel, she did the splits, but the way she rested her arms on her hips really gives her away.

Favorite town names:  Sarcoxie, MO

                                    Eminence, MO

                                    Low Wassie, MO

Favorite Signs: Free Pie Monday and Thursday

                          Hitchhikers May Be Escaping Prisoners.

Random Observation from Randy: Maybe we should pick up those hitchhikers to help them escape the prisoners.

Events we cannot hang around for: Jeremiah's Jammin' Luau, Sikeston, MO.

Next: Home.