The Observer, April 18, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 25
Spartans at Progressive Field next week
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Next Tuesday marks an exciting day for the Spartan Baseball team. In their fifth year in partnership with the Cleveland Indians, Case Western will host Wooster College at Progressive Field on Apr. 22. Because the university has allowed the Indians to hold its winter player development workouts in Veale, the Spartans are permitted to host one game per season at Progressive Field.
In previous years, the field has not been kind to the Spartans, who have a 1-3 record in the major league park. Yet this does not take away from the opportunity to play in the stadium that many of the Spartans' heroes have played in. "When I get to the field, I'm going to go to center field and just stand there for a few minutes to make sure I remember the moment," said centerfielder Clay Hurley. "Since Grady Sizemore is my favorite player, it will be an honor to play in the exact spot as him."
This will be Hurley's first time playing at Progressive, but the few upperclassmen on the team share the same enthusiasm. "As a kid growing up around Cleveland, I always thought I would play at that place one day (of course for another team), but it's exciting nonetheless," senior Kevin Haley said. He also had some insight for the younger guys on the team. "Take it all in before the game, from the pristine field to the indoor batting tunnels. Then, once it starts, the focus has to be on doing what it takes to win the game."
The game will start at noon next Tuesday, with the gates opening at 11 a.m. Students can print off free tickets to the game on the athletics website any time leading up to the game. The university will run a free shuttle service from Thwing to Progressive Field with buses leaving every 15 minutes until the end of the game.
