R&R

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Sorry I haven't ducked in for a few days.

Managed to jump off the grid for the Memorial Day weekend, then hit the road for a brief baseball bonanza. Three games in three days, but that's not the best part.

Last night, we saw a game in the newest affiliated minor league baseball park in the United States. Today, we'll see a game in the oldest affiliated minor league baseball park in the United States. Both are in Birmingham (at least until next month, when a newer park is opening elsewhere).

Regions Field is my kind of ballpark. Brand-spanking new, it's right where a ballpark should be -- downtown. (Yes, I'm still angry at Victor Ashe for letting the Smokies get away to Kodak. But, yes, I love that park, too.)

The Smokies are playing the Barons and hung on to win a good ol' good one last night, 3-2. We ran into longtime Smokies assistant general manager (and Halls guy) Jeff Shoaf before the game.

Today, we're headed to the Rickwood Classic. Same two teams. 12:05 (CDT).

Our friend Kurt Pickering is wrapping up a two-week trip in which he caught several games on the West Coast. He's trying to get to every minor league park in the country. He's made it to 105.

I'm just trying to get a little R&R. We both win.

See you on a bounce.