Road Trip, Part 4 - Williamsport, Pennsylvania

We took our time getting around Sunday morning and departed Auburn, New York after a big breakfast (actually Senaca Falls). Heading southbound towards Williamsport, Pennsylvania, we stopped again in Corning, New York (see Road Trip, part 3). We toured the Corning Museum of Glass; lots of interesting historical information about the glass industry. A stop here is recommended if you are ever traveling in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. This area of New York has several wineries which are also worth checking out.

We arrived at BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field shortly after 4:00pm, picked up our tickets at Will Call and entered one of my favorite baseball venues. I had not been to the old ball field since 1988 when the Double A Eastern League Williamport Bills played here.

As you are probably aware, Bowman Field has gone through a major facelift. Thanks to a major financial contribution from Major League Baseball (MLB), the entire playing surface was replaced including new irrigation and drainage systems. Additionally, MLB is constructing new bullpens behind the outfield fence.

Because of MLB's financial commitment, the city of Williamsport was able to expedite other upgrades including new seating and dugouts. Much of those renovations were paid for with a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) Grant.

All the stadium upgrades are in preparation for August 20th, when the St. Louis Cardinals will play a regular season against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Williamsport. The game will be a nationally televised on ESPN's Sunday night game, aka: "MLB Little League Classic". During this same timeframe, the Little League Baseball World Series will be taking place in South Williamsport.

Sunday was a perfect day weather wise for baseball and it was Military Appreciation Day at Historic Bowman Field. The Crosscutters' pitching staff totally dominated the West Virginia Black Bears, striking out 16 in a 4-1 victory before 2,154 fans. Good seats are always available at Bowman Field. The Crosscutters average 1,836 fans per game (capacity 2,366). We sat in the box seats in the third row, right behind home plate. Bowman Field has a variety of reasonably priced food options (the Newberry Sub is recommended) and the beer prices may be the best in professional baseball (I had a 32 oz Genessee). Williamsport, Pennsylvania is a "highly recommended" destination for a baseball road trip.

We are on our way home this morning and are looking forward to the rest of the New York-Penn League season. After 39 games, the division leaders are the Staten Island Yankees, Mahoning Valley Scrappers, and Vermont Lake Monsters. The West Virginia Black Bears are 1.5 games up in the Wild Card race.

See you at the ballpark.....

The Stedler Report is not affiliated with Minor League Baseball or the New York-Penn League.