Winnipeg Free Press > Opinion > Columnists > Something to cheer about at Shaw Park

Columnists

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Something to cheer about at Shaw Park

By: Gary Lawless

Posted: 09/12/2012 3:18 AM | Comments: 0

There was Hal Lanier taking a dignified bow. Andrew Ladd smiling with a group of youngsters for a photo. Max Poulin nervously grinning, wishing he was on the field with eye-black smeared across his face and a glove fit snugly on his hand.

It was the 55th night of this summer the Goldeyes had opened their doors for a baseball game and while it had all the traditional earmarks of pro baseball as we've come to know it in Winnipeg, it was just a little different.

Related Items

  1. Articles

There was bunting draped along the upper deck facia and player introductions prior to the game. There was an extra touch of pitch in Paul Edmonds' voice as he took to the air to announce his 110th Goldeyes game of the summer. Fans lined up for hot dogs and lemonade and beer but instead of talking to their neighbour in line like they were at a church picnic, they kept their focus on the game.

It's been argued people don't come to Goldeyes games for the baseball as much as they do for the experience, but that wasn't close to the case on Tuesday night. This was championship baseball and all 5,117 customers at Shaw Park knew why they were there. They were there to cheer on their team and hopefully be part of a championship.

It may be a little obscure and the very fact they call it minor league baseball takes some weight away from the Goldeyes and Wichita Wingnuts meeting in the American Association Championship, but leave that talk to someone in Fargo or St. Paul or Kansas City or Lincoln or Laredo.

They didn't have a game to go watch on Tuesday.

We sure did in Winnipeg.

Cheer

And for a few nights at least, there is something to cheer and feel positive about on the professional Winnipeg sports scene.

There's lots wrong with the games we watch these days -- just look at this city's football and hockey teams for that angle -- but the stars can still align to create those moments we all hope for when we get behind a team. Tuesday at our downtown ballpark that magical mix was in the air.

The combination of splendid summer weather, an enthused crowd, playoff baseball and just a touch of nostalgia made this an evening to celebrate.

The Goldeyes have spent 19 summers in Winnipeg now and are a consistent entertainer. The park is gorgeous, with a mix of old-time intimacy and modern amenities. The fan base is knowledgeable and passionate, with a core that comes almost every night. The franchise has reached a championship round eight times in its history and has been either first or second in attendance among all independent baseball teams for a full decade.

The Goldeyes do it right, all right.

From front-office management to customer service to long-range planning, they are an organization to envy.

The team hasn't won a championship since 1994, the last on Winnipeg's pro sports scene, but they consistently deliver on all fronts.

We're lucky to have them and we're lucky to have them this late in the season.

Take a bow, Goldeyes.

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @garylawless

Gary Lawless, Winnipeg Free Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 12, 2012 C1

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.

letters

Make text: Larger | Smaller

LATEST VIDEO

Rescue divers pull man from partially submerged vehicle

View more like this

Photo Store Gallery

  • JOE BRYKSA/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Local-(Standup photo)- A wood duck swims through the water with fall refections in Kildonan Park Thursday afternoon.
  • Marc Gallant / Winnipeg Free Press. Local- (Standup Photo). Watcher in the woods. A young deer peers from the forest while eating leaves by Cricket Drive in Assiniboine Park. A group of eight deer were seen in the park. 060508.

View More Gallery Photos

About Gary Lawless

Gary Lawless is the Free Press sports columnist and co-host of the Hustler and Lawless show on TSN 1290 Winnipeg and www.winnipegfreepress.com
Lawless began covering sports as a rookie reporter at The Chronicle-Journal in Thunder Bay after graduating from journalism school at Durham College in Ontario.
After a Grey Cup winning stint with the Toronto Argonauts in the communications department, Lawless returned to Thunder Bay as sports editor.
In 1999 he joined the Free Press and after working on the night sports desk moved back into the field where he covered pro hockey, baseball and football beats prior to being named columnist.

Poll

Can Winnipeg support a downtown grocery store?

View Results

Ads by Google