WOOD SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY

By Rodger M. Wood

Lots of fun activities before the game heightened the drama of an exciting 2010 Eastern
League All Star game at Harrisburg Metro Bank Park July 14th.

Ollie’s Bargain Outlets went all out to make it a memorable day for young and old fans, some of
whom traveled from distant Eastern League cities Trenton, Erie, Altoona, Bowie, Binghamton, Akron, Reading, Manchester, New Britain, Richmond, and Portland to cheer their heroes on.

The Family Fun Fest began at 1 PM. All Star players, graciously signed autographs for a multitude of fans, but the biggest demand turned out to be NASCAR Sprint Cup points leader, Kevin Harvick, who later threw out the first pitch and drove his bright yellow race car around the warning track.

Lower Dauphin HS (PA) slugger, Colbe Herr won the high school and Altoona catcher, Hector Gimenez the Eastern League home run derby, with Harrisburg 1B Chris Marrero and Bowie CF Tyler Henson in close pursuit.

The all star game was a classic good pitching, good defense 2-2 ball game until the 7th inning stretch,
when the West Division filled the bases for Altoona SS Chase D’Arnaud to clear with a dramatic grand slam home run to make the score 7-2. Erie CF Andy Dirks hit a solo shot after D”Arnaud to raise the score to 8-2.

In the top of 8th, New Hampshire C Brian Jerolman singled in a run for the East Division making it a 8-3 game and in the bottom of the 8th, Akron OF John Drennen hit a HR and Chris Marrero singled in a run increasing the margin to the West Division final 10-3 win. Harrisburg RHP Rafael Martin picked up the win with a perfect 7th inning.

By Rodger M. Wood

Stephen Strasberg may have left town but lots of good baseball fun is still happening at Harrisburg the remainder of 2010 season.

Almost major league standards after major renovations this past winter, Commerce Bank Park is hardly recognizable. Fans can enjoy the game sitting in the left field bleachers, picnicking along the left field line, or in luxury boxes behind home plate with buffet food for the price of the seat.

Families can picnic along the Susquehanna River, ride the train around the island, hit in batting cages, take a boat excursion, ride the merry go round, and still make it in time to see a ball game and do more new fun things inside the ball park.

While Stephen Strasberg and Drew Storen have advanced to Triple A – Syracuse,
BA #14 Nationals minor league prospect, 6-6 RHP Brad Meyers has returned to the Senators mound to pitch good ball in early outings and may just make lots of fans remember his name down the road too before the season is over.

BA #6 Chris Marrero is playing at 1B, BA #5 Danny Espinosa at SS, BA #12 LHP Aaron Thompson, and BA #27 RHP Jeff Mandel are in the pitching rotation. Put savvy veterans, catcher Sean Rooney, 1B/OF Bill Rheinhard, 3B Offilio Castro, hard hitting OF Leonard Davis, OF Marvin Lowrance, and 2B Michael Martinez in the lineup with them and you have a good ball team.

Harrisburg’s coaching staff, manager Randy Knorr, pitching coach, Randy Tomlin, batting coach, Troy Gingrich, and strength coach Tony Rogowski are one of the best in minor league baseball.

The 2010 Harrisburg Senators photo folder was taken at Harrisburg’s games against New Britain, April 16 and April 18th, Reading April 21st, and Altoona May 4th.