After three weeks on the road, it was time to head back home. On this trip, I had not planned more than a day or two in advance in general, giving us flexibility in what to set but also limiting hotel choices, especially on the weekends. I ended up booking lodging in Amsterdam, NY, unaware that there was a baseball game that very night. Two games in fact, as the Mohawks of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PCGBL) were hosting Albany in a pair of 7-inning contests.
The first game started at 5, at which time we were still a couple of hours away. We arrived at our hotel just after 7 and I checked to see that the game had started late (yay!) but had only taken 98 minutes (boo!). The second game was slated for 7:30 so after a quick rest, I headed over to Shuttleworth Park. The parking lot is on the other side of a one-way bridge and it was mostly full, so I used the overflow lot down the hill. The second game had just gotten underway and there was no one at the gate to collect tickets, but I still decided to pay $5 because the hard ticket is a thing of beauty. It also didn't get ripped, so it is in mint condition.
The team is by far the most successful in the league, with 7 of the 12 titles since the circuit formed in 2011. The team itself began in Schenectady in 1978 before moving to Amsterdam in 2003, spending their first 32 seasons in the New York Collegiate Baseball League, another wood bat association. Just inside the main gate is a list of former Mohawks who played pro ball, though most of these never guys never made the majors. The most famous name is Hunter Pence, who toiled here in 2002.
The stadium opened in 1914 and has been through a lot in the intervening time, including burning down in 1942. Still, the grandstand is original, though the seats are now large wooden benches.
In front of the grandstand are three rows of box seats that are reserved, though many of them were empty and I sat here for most of the game.
There are several party decks and all were full on this Friday evening, with the crowd coming it at 1,790, just under 10% of the town's population. Capacity is 3,000, though I am not sure if that includes all the party areas.
The team name comes from the Mohawk Valley, the area between the Adirondacks and Catskills northwest of Albany and the mascot has a Mohawk haircut, so stow those politically correct opinions. There is also a team in the league based in Little Falls (about 40 minutes away) known as the Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs.
The entire seating area is covered by netting, but down the lines a bit there is an opening with a clear view. There are no seats down the third base line as that area is well forested.
I managed to get behind the fence in right field from where you could heckle the right fielder if you were that sort of person. It is only from here that you can get a good picture of the entire grandstand (above). You can see a press box atop the roof, but it doesn't seem to be used as the broadcasters and other media people were sitting in the grandstand.
Concessions are varied and inexpensive, and there is craft beer for just $6 a pint, a great deal. I had a couple to celebrate my milestone as this was my 1000th unique venue (and 375th ballpark). I spent the last couple of innings in the grandstand and watched an entertaining finish to what turned out to be a long game.
Overall, Shuttleworth Park was a lucky find and I'm glad I was able to catch a game here. These old barns have a lot of character and although the baseball can be tough to watch at times, it is still a good way to spend an evening when on the road.
The Game
Amsterdam is on their way to another title with a 31-6 record while Albany was only 10-25-1 and had lost the opener 9-1. The Mohawks got on the board when Jackson Natili clubbed a 2-run homer in the bottom of the second but Albany tied it in the fourth with two walks, a wild pitch, and a single. Drake Digiorno of Utah, who has his collegiate batting helmet adorned with Utes stickers, singled home a run in the bottom half and a sac fly in the fifth allowed Amsterdam to regain the 2-run cushion. The Mohawk bullpen could not hold the lead however, giving up a three spot in the 6th only for the offense to get those runs right back in the bottom half, with a Digiorno 2-run triple the highlight.
Brian Yetter was tasked with the save but after an unearned run, he gave up a long bomb to Luke Filippi that made it 8-7 Albany. They needed Matt Thorsen to shut down the Mohawks in the bottom of the 7th but a walk and a Cade Ladehoff (America East Rookie of the Year at NJIT, leading the league with a .405 average) double tied the game. A grounder got Ladehoff to third with two out and then Steven Spalitta grounded to short, but his beat the throw while sliding into first and the Mohawks avoided the upset with an exciting 9-8 win. The game took 3:00, very long for 7 innings, but I was happy as I got to relax for a bit after driving so much over the past three weeks. Unfortunately the scoreboard was turned off before I could grab a picture, but I did snap one of the Mohawks celebrating.
Notes
We spent three weeks on the road and I saw ten games in eight new venues, but also visited several National Park sites and other interesting spots. It was great to spend the time with the family and teach my daughter the beauty of roadtripping.
Best,
Sean
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