Dodd Stadium had been the home to a AA team, the Connecticut Defenders, affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.  When they vacated, that left room for a new team to move in.  And, since it was build for AA, it really is a nice field for the players to play in.  The stands are nice for the fans as well.  The food choices are much more varied for the fans- I have never seen a veggie burger at a single-A ballpark, but there it was.  There is a nice party area down the right field line for all you can eat events.  There are nice suites and a party area upstairs.  In general, it is a very comfortable place to watch a game.  Here is a shot of the field, pre-game.

Dodd Stadium, Home of the Connecticut Tigers

On this night, the final game of the season, the Tigers did a great job of saying thank you to the fans.  There was free cake before the game, and lots and lots of free stuff given away by sponsors.  Between nearly every inning the Tigers staff threw out free t-shirts, and with the crowd just over 2,000, it honestly seemed like there wasn’t someone who didn’t leave with one.

The team also honored the host families before the game.  Host families work with the team to provide housing and food to the players on the team.  For such a short period, really less than three months, it would be very hard for these young men to find housing.  These families open up their homes -and their refrigerators to quote the GM of the Tigers- to these young men, and often drive them to the park each day.  They become a stabilizing force for what is often the first professional baseball experience away from home.

Because so many of the fans in the stands were members of these families, the Tigers players who were brought up to sign autographs prior to the game, lingered on the concourse.  They greeted kids, and said good bye to their surrogate parents.  It was comfortable and beautiful.

Connecticut Tigers Players mingle with Fans at the Final 2010 Game

The Tigers were hosting the Aberdeen Ironbirds- affiliate of the Orioles.  Everyone thinks these young men are provided with a spread of food prior to the game. The Ironbirds standing in their underarmour shorts and shirts and shower shoes, all standing in line for hot dogs reminded us that they are not.  At this level, they are given some meal money, but it isn’t for steaks- its for the concession at the ballpark.

The Tigers played a good game.  Neither team was flawless, and their were a lot of Ironbirds that thought diving for a ball in the outfield made you look like you were trying- maybe they thought it would get them on Sports Center.  A few times, those dives just allowed the ball to roll all the way to the wall behind them, and the Tigers runner to get an extra base.

The Tigers scored a run in the first inning, and then despite getting guys into scoring position, were never able to push one across again.  The Ironbirds had trouble getting into scoring position, until the 8th, when the loaded the bases.  They never did manage to get a run, however.  The Tigers won 1-0.  Here is a shot during the game.

Connecticut Tigers host the Aberdeen Ironbirds

Unlike spring training though, these games are cheaper and the tickets are available.  It will be hard to form alliances, since players from different major league clubs are mixed on each of the six teams, but you will get to see some of the future players all in one place.  Consider that in 2009, Ike Davis, Jason Heyward, Chris Heisey, Mike Leake, Buster Posey, Mike Stanton, Drew Storen, Stephen Strasburg, Jose Tabata all appeared in the fall league.  That is like a rookie All-Star team.

You can get close to these players too.  They often sign autographs, and its just a very relaxed place to see games.  And because all the parks are close, its easy to get to each of the games.

If you just like the game of baseball, this is a really great, almost secret, way to get your fill.  The games begin in October, and stretch on until the week before Thanksgiving.

For more information, check out this Danny Wild piece, which links to each of the six AFL teams news and rosters.  (Isn’t Danny Wild  a great name for a baseball writer?)

And for detailed highlights of each team, of course, check out Baseball America’s Coverage.

Manny made his debut in a White Sox uniform, but never made it up to bat in his role as a pinch hitter.

Manny Delcarmen of the Red Sox has been traded to the Rockies.  Why you ask?  Because the Rockies saw a chance to get him, and though he could help as they chase the Wild-Card or even the Padres, he puts them in a better position to win next year.

And we have some races going on.  Here are the Sept.1 Standings:

Interesting to note, that on Sept 1, only two teams have been mathematically eliminated; Baltimore and Pittsburgh.  The Nationals, Diamondbacks, Indians and Mariners- even the Cubs- still have a chance.

Decimated by injuries, these Red Sox are 27-25 since July 1. In the last two weeks, they rank 21st in the majors in runs scored. Terry Francona has only two relievers he can trust. John Lackey can’t hold a lead. Josh Beckett has four wins, none against a team over .500. The Sox scored only eight runs in three games at Tropicana Field. Sunday night, in the biggest game of the year, Boston started Daniel Nava in left, Darnell McDonald in center, and the second baseman was a 22-year-old kid making his second big league start (Yamaico Navarro). Oh, and let’s not forget that because of injuries, Boston’s everyday first baseman is Mike Lowell — a guy hitting .234.

Its time to spend September trying to determine who is ready to play in the big leagues from the minors so that the team can determine where to spend their money.  They certainly are going to have to spend some of that green on a plan B at a few different positions- because after a season off, who knows how Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jed Lowrie and a few others are going to fare in the early months of 2011.

The Sox are done.  Dan Shaughnessy says so.