The First Out

Chapter 6 - Road Trip

The Bristol Wolves' team bus rolled into the parking lot of the team motel. It was a national chain, known for the barest of amenities and it's 2-star rating. The Northeastern League was the second lowest rung in minor league baseball, and the players were spared the comforts and luxuries that came with being a Major League player. Steven Chase would vouch for that. He could have had the Breakers give him the 5-Star treatment -- limo service and the top hotels wherever he traveled. But, he was humbled by the suspension and the down time gave him the opportunity to do a lot of thinking. At age 31, he saw the end of his playing days looming on the horizon. His thoughts turned to life after baseball. Coaching and managing, maybe at this level of ball, was in his future and he wanted to reacquaint himself with the lack of trappings. Some of the players, including Brad, stayed in better environs during tournaments, or road games playing for their college team.

The team checked in, then it was off to the field to begin a 3 game series with the Bangor Blue Ox.

Just three years old, Bangor's stadium was so new that it still had that new car smell to it. They had moved from Old Orchard Beach, a coastal community in Southern Maine, a summer tourist spot just south of Portland. It was an upgrade compared to Muzzy Field, but it was devoid of Muzzy's charm or coziness.

While the Wolves became an institution during their 15-year stay in Bristol, the Blue Ox struggled at the turnstiles. Initially, they were embraced by the locals during their inaugural season, consistently selling out the 3500 seat park, but attendance dropped off by nearly half during the second season. Management was hoping new in-game promotions -- like the dizzy bat race -- and a winning season, would improve their fortunes. However, they started off the season 4-5, and things were not going well in Game 1 of their series with the Wolves.

Despite feeling a little tight from the long road trip, Brad kept pace with what he had done the first 9 games of the season. In the 5th inning, he added to Bristol's lead with a 2-run single, scoring Sully and Goldman, who walked and doubled, respectively. Bob Barnes broadcast back to WBIS-AM, and to the rest of the world who listened to the live stream on the internet:

"Line drive base hit! Sullivan scores! Goldman being waved around! He scores! Wolves take a 6-2 lead on a blistering 2-run single off the bat of Brad Hawley!"

In the bottom half of the inning, Brad contributed defensively, diving to his right off the foul line and throwing the runner out on a close play at first base:

"Grounder down the line. Great grab by Hawley! The throw! Got him! Great play by Brad Hawley, robbing Martin Stone of extra bases! Steven Chase called Brad Hawley a Hoover, and he lived up to that description there!"