Great fun was had by all at Baseballtown’s First Energy Stadium in Reading on Tuesday night. The HR derby was more of a hitting contest with targets like a boom-lift in center field with an intern with a glove, dudes jumping on a trampoline, a golf-ball collecting cart and even a dunk tank. Some of the targets scored more points than the home-runs themselves.
It was an awesome view from behind the protective netting watching balls sail over your head, a few land nearby and other crazies basically catching the balls as they were slamming the net. Fortunately, I didn’t see any injuries result.
R-Phils GM Scott Hunsicker did a tremendous job MC’ing the evening and keeping the “balls rolling” – at times I thought I was at Coca-Cola Park (but not quite – I jest – the R-Phils did a great job!) The food was various and tasty from the Pasta Bar, Raw Bar, Full Open Bar, Desert Stand, Chicken BBQ, BBQ Ribs, Pulled Pork, Potato Salad, 2 kinds of Pasta Salad to the Corn on the Cob, Baked Beans, and more – “Oy Vey!”
Our own Michael Spidale appeared for the Eastern Division of the Eastern League All-Stars and while scoring well he couldn’t surpass the Harrisburg Senator’s Chris Rahl who scored 340 points after a 100 bonus shot to the crane! Rahl just squeaked by the Richmond Flying Squirrel’s Daniel Mayora, who hit (the most) 10 homers and finished just 6 points shy of the win. Tonight it was all about the Crane!
Ricky Bo even made an appearance and took a couple swings all while wearing his CSN SportNet mic. He got a couple good shots in – not back for a “40” something year old ex-pitcher!
Looking forward to tomorrow evening’s All-Star Festivities – so off to the pix below the sign-off.
Dishing with the R-Phils
Click to Enlarge Pix
Cool VIP Credentials and a nice little program.
Views
The nets protected us while the tables held the food – Well Done R-Phils!
All-Stars
100 Points for hitting the ball-picker-upper
100 Points for the Crane
Crazy Hot-Dog Vendor’s Cousin – Crazy Flag Dude
He wheel’s and deal’s and..
…Michael Spidale watches it leave the Park!
Forget about it – it’s way outtta here
Michael Spidale gets toweled after his effort by the R-Phils Sebastian Valle.
Crazy Hot-Dog Vendor at the Bat
He got all of that one!
He just might be Crraaazzyyy!
Ricky Bo – In the House
The Combatants
He only flinched a dozen times – good thing the nets held!
I see an IronPigs shirt and President Chuck Domino!
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
Could have been a nice homecoming for Matt Rizzotti if the Twins hadn’t released him last week. He was hitting just .225 with 2 HR for New Britain in the AA Eastern League this year after being an Eastern League all-star the past 2 seasons.