By Jason Patterson
NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — With memories still fresh from their opening night walk-off homerun which ended a 13 inning thriller in dramatic fashion, the NYCBL’s Niagara Power returned to action this past weekend. Long before a 3-3 tie gave way to a nine run 5th inning for the visitors from Olean it became apparent that the true victory was not secured on the field of play.
The Oilers took the baseball game 19-6, yet the real winner from a picture-perfect Saturday night at Sal Maglie Stadium was the city of Niagara Falls…and not just for one evening, but for endless summer nights to come. The very instant your ticket is taken granting passage through the gate at the historic downtown ballpark. it becomes clear, the Niagara Power have brought old-time baseball back to Western New York.
As you make your way toward a seat of your own choosing, you are greeted by the sights, sounds, and smells of childhood. Memories rush in so vividly that it seems you have stepped back in time. Baseball fans are transported to what feels like another era, a place where the American Pastime is in its purest form, unblemished by the problems of our time.
Those who attend a Niagara Power baseball game find a unique environment, marked by the familiar crack of a wooden bat, yet far removed from the inflated salaries and enormous egos that plague today’s game. Fans enter a world where the future is on the line with every pitch, and the stars of tomorrow hustle to finish every play with the simplest of motivations, sheer love of the game.
You barely have time to settle into your seat before realizing that something very special is happening on the shores of Hyde Park Lake this summer. A brief scanning of the crowd reveals people of all ages and backgrounds enjoying a one-of-a-kind experience. They sport smiles regardless of the score. They share a commonality that must be felt to be understood. For the hours that make up each homestand, all differences are erased and these individuals become a part of something much larger than themselves. Even when it all comes to a close, they linger, as if they are desperate for more, staying long after the night’s baseball activities have ended.
Niagara fans receive unprecedented access to the team’s ballplayers, who are so down to earth that rooting for them comes naturally. The crowd mingles freely with student-athletes so known for the strength of their character that they are fitting roll models for the next generation of New Yorkers, both on and off the field.
In spite of the weekend’s result, Niagara is expected to battle down to the wire for the Western Division crown. The pieces of a winner are finally in place. With the high-energy aggressive style on the team on the field and more wins like the opener a near certainty, I can’t think of a single valid reason not to “experience the power.”
A tremendous amount of credit should be directed toward General Manager Cal Kern and his committed team of volunteers who work tirelessly to provide this community with memories that will last a lifetime. A ballgame at Sal Maglie just may be the most affordable, enjoyable and family-friendly environment in the entire region. The Niagara Power Baseball Club seems to have everything covered, all the way down to the peanuts and cracker jacks.
Leave a Reply