In my review of Matthew Thompson and the other Kannapolis prospects I hadn't seen in person before last week, I'd forgotten to give my first impressions of Atrium Health Ballpark, the new downtown home of the Cannon Ballers.
It shouldn't surprise you to learn that it's a gem, just like the three other ballparks the White Sox's full-season affiliates call home. It's right downtown, with shops along West Avenue on the other side of the park, and Main Street (with free parking at the train station lot) two blocks away. The only advantage the old Intimidators Stadium had was ample parking right on site, but that's only because it wasn't located close to anything else.
The dimensions also seemed to play pretty fair, although there were so many strikeouts that it didn't leave a robust sample of fly balls with which to judge. A couple of promising flies died deep in the alleys, but the no-doubters cleared the wall with plenty of room to spare.
I was reminded to offer my thoughts because Scott Merkin talked to Chris Getz about the ballpark, and to follow up on our discussion from Tuesday's Minor Keys, he says the Sox have some housing close by:
“You fast forward to where we are today, not only to the beautiful stadium, but commerce has followed as well,” Getz said. “They have shops and restaurants and bars. There’s an apartment complex [where] players and staff stay within walking distance. You are really getting a full fan experience, but also the added benefits of having everything within walking distance.
“I’ve enjoyed going down there. I know our roving staff and our staff on a regular basis, along with the players, enjoyed it. It’s a walkable downtown. But I do see that it’s bringing fans to the stadium, bringing people to the area. It’s only going to continue to grow. They have a vision of making this kind of an area in an untapped market, and they have done a really good job so far.”
Charlotte 7, Norfolk 2 (Game 1, 7 innings)
- Blake Rutherford went 0-for-3 with a walk.
- Jake Burger was 1-for-4.
- Yermín Mercedes, 1-for-4.
- Micker Adolfo homered, singled and struck out.
Norfolk 3, Charlotte 1 (Game 2, 6 innings, rain)
- Yermín Mercedes went 1-for-2 with a walk and a stolen base.
- Jake Burger was 0-for-2 with a walk.
- Micker Adolfo, 1-for-3 with a double and a strikeout.
- Blake Rutherford was 0-for-3.
Chattanooga 3, Birmingham 2 (Game 1, 7 innings)
- Yoelqui Céspedes went 1-for-3 with a strikeout.
- Carlos Pérez went 2-for-3 with a double.
- Lenyn Sosa, 1-for-3.
Chattanooga 7, Birmingham 3 (Game 2, 7 innings)
- Yoelqui Céspedes went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.
- Carlos Pérez, 2-for-4 with a strikeout.
- Lenyn Sosa was 0-for-3.
Winston-Salem 3, Rome 2 (Game 1, 7 innings)
- Jose Rodriguez went 1-for-4.
- Luis Mieses, 0-for-3 with a strikeout.
- Luis Curbelo went 0-for-3.
- Harvin Mendoza was 2-for-3, and was picked off.
- Caberea Weaver went 0-for-2 with a sac bunt.
Rome 4, Winston-Salem 1 (Game 2, 7 innings)
- Jose Rodriguez went 2-for-3 with a double, and was caught stealing.
- Luis Mieses went 1-for-3 with a strikeout.
- Luis Curbelo struck out twice and got plunked.
- Harvin Mendoza and Caberea Weaver both were 0-for-3.
