The Flyboys make their first trip of the season to Bristol, Tennessee. Bristol, Virginia is right across the state line. Odd, in my opinion, but who cares what I think. . The bus pulls up and we exit the Flyboy’s iron lung and walk toward the field. I honestly break out in laughter as we get close to the right field line. They have a chain link fence in the outfield, something I have not seen since going to my son’s high school games. The field itself is rather bland. The bullpen is somewhat of a disappointment. This area along with the game mound is important to a pitching coach. It is where my pitchers practice and perform.
Boyce Cox Field opened in 1969 after conversion from it’s prior existence as a football field. The ballpark has three main components, none of which seem to match. This includes grandstands behind the 3rd base dugout which belong to the baseball stadium. There are aluminum bleachers behind the first base side of the field. The seating behind home is a combination of concrete seating and bleacher seats. These were once closed due for safety purposes. The narrow press box sits well behind home plate. There is a small deck for cheesy hecklers off set and behind the third base side seating. A stand alone, small concession stand is also on the third base side, up on a slight hill behind the bleachers. Many fans on these two night brought their own chairs and spread out on the berm on the third base side of the field. Stadium journey.com writes that the field struggles to meet the minimum requirements set forth by MLB. The stadium is run by a non profit group and all jobs there are handled by volunteers. It is a labor of love for the folks there
The series should be a good one. Bristol holds a half game lead over the Boys after winning four consecutive games. Game one was a dominant performance turned in by Bryce Mayer. The young RHP worked four innings, striking out eight batters of the thirteen that he faced. The Boys from the bullpen close out the victory, allowing just one run over the final five frames. Another double digit strike out night for the pitching staff. Greenville completes the sweep in game two of the series in an entertaining 14-7 win. The Boys outscored Bristol 7-0 over the last three innings of the game Connor Harris, a right handed pitcher attending George Washington University turned in another stellar start. Connor has outstanding command of a late moving fastball. The bullpen uncharacteristically coughed up six runs. Zane Robbins, affectionately nicknamed, Big Country, came in to save the day. He struck out five batters over the two and two-thirds innings, including punching out the last three hitters of the game on his power hook down in the zone. The offensive pounded out fifteen hits including six for extra bases. This was definitely a team win with everyone contributing. It will be a happy bus ride back to Tusculum after the exciting victory. The Flyboys are home for the next four days before a day off and a long five day road trip.
No BS Baseball 