What Needs Fixin Ain't Always Broken

Not sure why this didnt appear last week when I thought it was posted, but here it is, better late than never!


WHAT NEEDS FIXIN AIN'T ALWAYS BROKEN
It could have been viewed as a rocky start.

Even before the gates were flung wide on Opening Night, a few people were asking about giveaways for T-Shirt Thursday (was it really "every thursday?") and others why facebook might have said gates opened an hour and fifteen minutes before the game (the gates were held until just after five-thirty).

The Human Cannonball didn't show up (he cancelled days earlier), some of the ticket scanners went down as the first patrons started were let in. Fans of the souvenir cup were quickly disappointed to find there wasn't a new issue for their tumbler collection (apparently a crime in six states).  

During the formal pregame ceremony the visiting Biloxi Shuckers made sure their opening lineups were changed at the last minute, causing the player introductions to look extra corny for the second year in a row. The color guard even managed to get the flag caught in the netting behind home plate as they left the field.


Then an amazing thing happened. Two simple words changed everything.

Pitcher Genesis Cabrera dispatched the Shuckers quickly in the top of the first and leadoff hitter Andrew "Squid" Velazquez came to the plate....

He sent the first pitch he saw over the wall to put the home team on top with a leadoff home run. It was Opening Day and the Biscuits were ahead.

Fans cheered and children screamed with joy, hot dogs were eaten and beer consumed. Umpires heard heckles and again the game of baseball is swiftly yielded to those for whom it was truly intended - the young players honing their craft on the diamond and those who came to the ballpark to support them.

Swept away with one swing of the bat in first inning were pregame irritations. As Velazquez popped the seal on a new season, fans slid all those concerns to the back burner. Not gone completely, mind you. But more important matters take precedence. How is the pitching, who is swinging a hot bat, can Brady Williams get the offense started quickly, will the Biscuits make the playoffs again? Can the team finally end its ten year championship drought?


The Biscuits front office is a solid blend of proven veterans, young prospects and league stalwarts - all team players. A good team will figure out pretty fast what adjustments are needed. Some things might need fixin, but hearing the cheer of the Opening Day crowd, there's nothing broken.

GOOD NEW STUFF
COME ON RIDE THE TRAIN!
There is plenty to like about this years Biscuits fan experience. The train ride is only a buck and Parney was quoted on WSFA as saying he might even be convinced to run it after the game one night when we have all had a few!

RECYCLING
The Biscuits have recycling stations around the ballpark. They hand-sort the recyclables and take them to the appropriate local facilities. Good job, Biscuits.

GAMEDAY PROGRAM
Every homestand has a free handout program with some news and info. And at least one seriously brutal typo in the first issue in what I hope to be a continuing joke.

GROUNDS CREW UNIFORMS
Green shirts this year for The Green Team, a neat look for the hardworking guys dragging the field and caring for the grass. Adios Sod Squad, you're now The Green Team!


TENNIS BALL GAME
They put hula hoops on the field and you can buy a bag of numbered tennis balls to throw at them for prizes. Five bucks for a bag of five or six balls and you could win a multitude of prizes, including a set of new tires or a gift card to some very popular local businesses.

RBI MAN
Before the game they announce a home team hitter as the designated RBI man, if he drives in a run a section of fans get chick-fil-A sandwiches.

NEW RADIO STATION
Dang, I forgot my radio, have to check that out at the next series.

FOWL POLE
A home team batter hitting a homer off the foul pole gets everone in the park a free chicken sandwich! Sadly, in over 6oo games I have only see two foul pole hits and one of those was a visitor, so this may be a long shot. Alternative take: We are SO FREAKIN due to see it, that it has to happen soon.

NEW BAR
Pretty snazzy, the bartender now sets up near the newly caged in stairwell. The enclosed bar area is windowed to allow a view though no more seats at the rail to watch the game. Good reviews from both longtime and new patrons at the bar were heard, a nice improvement with new lighting. More importantly, it offers shelter from the weather. With heat and air conditioning, it becomes the only area one can sit in comfort and watch the game on a cheap seat ticket.

NAMES WE KNOW

Jake Hager

A familiar face is in the dugout for the first homestand as Jake Hager returns to Riverwalk, this time to face the Biscuits as a member of the Biloxi Shuckers.


A couple other names Skitz fans will recognize are in the Southern League this year.

Juniel Querecuto is with the Jackson Generals, the former Biscuits utility man was with Montgomery in 2015 and 2016. Q made his big league debut with the Rays that year, his first MLB hit was a triple.


Second baseman Ryan Brett is back in the league with the Barons, listed now as an outfielder. After missing a year to injury, RB is hoping to regain form with the White Sox affiliate. Ryan played 104 games with the Biscuits in 2014, which was the last time the former third rounder was on the field for a hundred games due to various injuries. Brett made his big league debut in 2015 with the Rays.