TRI-VALLEY BASEBALL
AT BUSCH STADIUM
JULY 20TH, 2008
 

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TIM DITMAN'S GAMEDAY BLOG

VIB crew member Tim Ditman provided updates as the day progressed in St. Loius. 
 

• 7:30 AM -- Meet me at Busch Stadium!  The Tri-Valley baseball caravan has officially departed for St. Louis.  Everyone I've talked to has high expectations for the trip, and the players can't wait to step into the batter's box for the first time.  It also looks like the small chance of rain that was in the forecast today has diminished;  it'll be sunny skies and temperatures in the 90s all day.  That's all for now.  I'll be back with my next post once we arrive in the Arch City.
   

• 10:15 AM -- We've arrived in St. Louis and will be getting an all-access tour of the stadium within the hour.  After that, there will be time for a little sightseeing before gates open for the Cardinals-Padres game.
   

• 11:22 AM -- The players just dropped off their equipment in the centerfield locker room.  On the way, we passed the Cardinals players' vehicles, most notably a white Lamborghini which were we told belonged to Albert Pujols (photo here).  I overheard several players hoping for a stiff wind during our game so they can hit one out of the park.  Viking baseball alum Taylor Springer told me he hopes to put one up in Big Mac Land.  We'll see how that goes.
   

• 12:30 PM -- The Tri-Valley crew has now taken their seats in Section 270 with about 45 minutes til gametime.  On a side note, saying today is a hot one would be an understatement.  Temperatures are in the 90s, with the heat index around 110.  Yikes!  Nevertheless, it should be a great day for baseball!
   

• 12:58 PM -- The Cardinals-Padres game is just a few minutes from getting underway.  As per MLB regulations, I'm not allowed to blog during the game.  However, once it is in the books, I'll be back with the Tri-Valley-Geneseo pregame report.  In the meantime, check out all the informative tidbits on the VIB Homepage or the VIB YouTube Channel.
   

• 4:30 PM -- Wow...the Cardinals came back from behind to win the game on a walk off grand slam in the bottom of the ninth.  Tri-Valley and Geneseo have now gathered outside the stadium and are just about to go on the field for pregame warmups.  Expect our game to get underway at about 5:30 PM.  Keep checking this space for updates.  A reminder to click on the link below once the game starts to follow along via gametracker.
   

• 5:42 PM -- The teams are on the field now.  We'll be getting started a little later than expected.  Keep checking the gametracker for updates.
   

• 6:30 PM -- A bases clearing triple by Brandon Hott gets the Viking offense rolling as they now lead 4-1 in the third.
   

• 6:40 PM -- Cody Gillis blasts a ball to left field that is just short of a homerun.
   

• 7:00 PM -- Lucas Cook makes it official...a Viking has homered at Busch Stadium as he belts a fastball over the left field fence for a two run home run.  Estimated length:  390 feet.
   

• 7:06 PM -- Some of the younger Viking players are seeing action now.  Let's hope they can keep the offense going and preserve their team's nine run lead.  The weather has cooled off nicely, and the entire field and stands are in the shade.  This crowd of 1500 has been vocal as well, giving the players extra motivation after a long and tiring day so far.
   

• 7:39 PM -- Geneseo mounts a bit of a comeback with three runs in the sixth.  Both teams have been having fun but playing their hearts out at the same time.  It should be a great finish.
   

• 7:58 PM -- A quick note:  the limit for our game time is two and a half hours; thus, the game will conclude at 8:25 PM regardless of the situation.
   

• 8:15 PM -- With the lights turned on here at Busch Stadium, it's do or die time for Geneseo.  They need eight runs to tie the game up and, due to time constraints, only have 10 minutes to do it.  Houdini, anyone?
   

• 8:25 PM -- Vikings win, 14-10.  More info to come later.
   

• 8:54 PM -- The game ended up being called with two outs in the top of the ninth, but a win's a win as the Tri-Valley Vikings make history with a 14-10 win over Geneseo at Busch Stadium.  Credit Geneseo for a hard played game.  Player of the game honors go to Lucas Cook with his monster homerun to left field in the fourth inning.   I talked to Lucas after the game and he said the accomplishment really hasn't sunk in yet.  Vikings head coach Howard Springer was ecstatic over how the day turned out and was glad all of the Viking players got to see time on the field.  He hopes that the team can make the trek back to St. Louis sometime in the near future.  In the meantime, everyone goes home happy.  That's all for the blog, but scroll down on this page for pictures and a video from today's events.

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