April 2, 2013

Canton, OH – The waiting is over; the time is finally here!  After months of hot stove discussion and a less-than-optimistic spring training performance, the Kalamazoo Badgers opened the 2013 campaign on the road in Canton, facing the Longshoremen in less-than-ideal baseball conditions. With great anticipation and outerwear befitting a champion Iditarod musher navigating an icy, windswept path to Nome, 34,778 baseball fans braved game-time temperatures hovering around 39° to usher in another PEBA baseball season.

Despite the cold and blustery day, Svab Memorial Stadium was buzzing with excitement and anticipation of what 2013 holds in store.  Janine Yardley, president of the KZoo Badgers Fan Club, was one of those in attendance and proudly boasts that nearly 1,000 Badgers faithful made the 310-mile trek from Kalamazoo to Canton in order to partake in the treasured American tradition known as Opening Day.

Among the dignitaries in attendance, which included local politicians, businessmen and sports media types, was Harry Bell, the new owner of the Badgers.  Bell arrived on the back of his favorite motorcycle, a Harley Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Limited.  When asked why he would be riding his motorcycle on such an inhospitable day, Bell smirked and replied, “How else was I going to get here from Kalamazoo?”  Considering that it is something like 310 miles from Kalamazoo to Canton, with temperatures not far above freezing, this begins to give Badgers fans some insight into Harry Bell’s personality.  Bell was later seen in the company of Canton owner William Marsten IV as they made their way towards Marsten’s private box.

The game itself was a disappointment for Badgers fans.  You only get one shot to start a new baseball season and this one ended with the Longshoremen completely shutting down the Badgers 5-0.  Not many bright spots in this one other than the fact that it was only our first game of the year.

Clearly disappointed in his team’s debut showing, Harry Bell was overheard boasting that under his ownership, the Badgers will swiftly regain a competitive advantage within the Sovereign League.  In an effort to make his bold claim interesting, and knowing Marsten’s penchant for some friendly gambling, Bell commented that the Badgers, “…will again finish above the Longshoremen in the Great Lakes Division.”  Unflustered, Marsten replied, “Well, I see you are off to a good start.  Perhaps we can wager something of value?”

Obviously, Bell has studied the final standings from past seasons and has learned that the Badgers have finished above the Longshoremen in each of the past six PEBA seasons.  These comments will undoubtedly find their way to the Longshoremen clubhouse bulletin board and serve as a reminder as these two clubs battle their way through the 2013 season and their unique rebuilding challenges.

There you have it from Canton, Ohio.  Game One is in the books; the 2013 PEBA season is finally underway and we have the start of some interesting back-story drama unfolding.