A Tuesday trip to Coolray field

I took a quick trip down to Coolray Field to take in a minor league game, AAA version. The Gwinnett Braves landed here in 2009. The initial enthusiasm –and attendance–has cooled steadily over the past few years, and prospects are dim for short-term improvement given the relocation of the “Atlanta” team to Cobb County this year.

That said, Gwinnett is a nice alternative for the serious baseball fan, especially if your ride to this park spares a rougher drive through metro traffic to SunTrust. The joys of minor league baseball are well-known. Compared to the majors, the prices are lower, the fields are cozier and the baseball “product” is pretty good at the AAA level. A distinct difference for a baseball purist is that the minor league mission is more about player development than about winning. So, on a given night, your local lineup might include a player or two on a rehab assignment, or a pitcher working on a new delivery mechanic.

On this night, the Gwinnett Braves fell to the “SWB” RailRiders by a 7-2 margin,  in a game even less compelling than the 5 run margin suggests. There was slight early drama, with the visitors going up 1-0 in the first inning, only to have Gwinnett tie it up in their half on the first, courtesy of consecutive extra-base hits by their two highest profile players–namely, outfielder Ronald Acuna and SS Dansby Swanson.

The RailRiders then added 2 runs in the 2nd inning and 2 more in the 5th, and they were never challenged.

Some intrigue did issue forth from SunTrust Park over in Cobb County where the parent club plays. Atlanta Braves shortstop Johan Camargo injured himself as the team was taking the field to start the game. He stumbled, caught his foot in the turf and wrenched his knee, needing help to hobble back to the dugout. This effect was felt here in Gwinnett where recently demoted wunderkind Dansby Swanson was pulled from the line up in the 3rd inning in anticipation of an early return to Atlanta to take over for Comargo.

The Gwinnett product is decent. I will go back. Not in a big hurry, but I will go back.

This local enterprise faces tough challenges for the fans and their love (money). Compared to most of their international league rivals, Gwinnett has a brief, vague history and lacks a devoted population base or even an identity, for that matter. (Gwinnett is the county. There is no city or state name associated with the team). Having the parent club only 36 miles away doesn’t help.