Up the Middle

Binghamton Mets Baseball

On Sunday, July 11, 2004, I took in a Double-A, Eastern League baseball game just south of Boonville on Route 81 in Binghamton. It was my first of many future trips to NYSEG stadium. 

The field, located in downtown Binghamton, is very fan-friendly. There are many attractions located throughout the park, including a radar gun station for kids to test their throwing speed, a series of picnic tables for families to enjoy the delicious concessions they have (including terrific sausage and peppers and barbecued ribs), and a wonderful mascot that interacted terrifically with fans of all ages named Buddy-Bee. It was definitely a welcoming environment for anyone wishing to spend a few hours watching America's pastime. 

Another compliment to the ballpark was the Mets' Hall of Fame Wall. What a nice surprise to see the plaques of former players, both major leaguers and career minor leaguers, who excelled while they were members of the Binghamton ball club. Included on this Wall of Fame are such superstars as Whitey Ford, Clete Boyer and John W. Jackson (who played under the name of Bud Fowler), the first professionally paid black baseball player. 

Longtime player Ken Oberkfell manages the Mets. Oberkfell was absent from the helm on Sunday afternoon because he was chosen to be a coach in the Minor League Futures Game that is held in conjunction with the Major League's All-Star game also being held that week (an honor his team helped him achieve with a 51-37 record). In his absence, the Mets were managed by former New York Mets fan-favorite Howard Johnson. It was a real treat to see him managing the game since it was always a true joy to watch him as a player. He was a throwback to the Major Leaguers of yesteryear. Rounding out the coaching staff was former Los Angeles Dodgers lefthander Jerry Reuss who won more than 220 games during his 22-year career in the major league. 

The Mets have a solid team with a lot of promising young players. They showed hustle and dedication to the game. They were professional in every aspect. They showed that this level of baseball was much different than the New York-Penn League play that I was used to when the old Utica Blue Sox played at Murnane Field. It was a treat to watch this team, and I urge everyone to make the short trip south to take in one of their games. It is inexpensive and fun-filled, I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

My name is Lou Parrotta. I am a Social Studies Teacher at Thomas R. Proctor High School in Utica, New York, and I also am the Coordinator of Continuing Education at the Utica School of Commerce in Utica, New York. I am a lifelong baseball fan, and have been a frequent contributor to the The Diamond Angle as a guest writer. I am currently a Sports Columnist with the Boonville Herald & Adirondack Tourist and the features writer for www.LegionBaseball.com. I once was employed by the New York-Penn League, and I am a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum, the Ted Williams Museum, the Negro Leagues Museum, and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York.