We went to this game with a group from the church we’re currently attending. From the way the game was described, we—and most of the people we went with—were expecting to be in a skybox. We were told food would be served and we could go inside into the air conditioning any time we wanted. So we were a little surprised to be herded into a small cinder-block room crowded with tables with just one window (and closed blinds). Our seats were in the grandstand down the rightfield line out in the sun. And while it was a very nice September day by Arkansas standards, the sun was still very hot. After an inning or so, we walked up a section and found seats in the shade. A pleasant breeze made things comfortable and we enjoyed the game.
Amarillo jumped out to an early lead. By the seventh inning, the Travelers had fought their way back to tie the game. And then the play occurred. With two runners on, an Amarillo batter hit a line drive to center. The Arkansas center fielder made a diving attempt, had the ball in his mitt, and then dropped it. It would have been a great catch, but he should have held on. Anyway, the Travelers then started to throw the ball all over the field and before the dust settled, both runners and the batter had come around to score. The Travelers came back with two in the bottom of the inning, but that was it. They lost 6-5.
We also got a kick out of the Travelers’ mascots, Otey the Swamp Possum and Ace, a horse. Some people don’t like Otey because he reinforces bad stereotypes of Arkansas. Which is exactly why we liked him. They spent some time dancing on the dugout roof right in front of us.
