Results tagged ‘ BB&T Ballpark ’

Tuesday tidbits

Joey DeMichele (18) celebrates after his second walk-off hit of 2013 (Laura Marshall/W-S Dash)

Joey DeMichele (18) celebrates after his second walk-off hit of 2013 (Laura Marshall/W-S Dash)

With the Dash set embark on a six-game road trip tonight in Salem, Va., let’s take a look back at the weekend that was at BB&T Ballpark in a Tuesday edition of Dash Dots:

DASH DOTS:

  • With their three-game sweep of the Potomac Nationals this weekend, the Dash have now beaten the P-Nats 13 consecutive times at BB&T Ballpark dating back to April of 2012.
  • After overcoming a two-run deficit with three tallies in the eighth inning to win 5-4 on Friday, the Dash rallied with two outs in the ninth to tie Saturday’s game and eventually win in 10 innings on a walk-off single by Joey DeMichele. Those two last at-bat victories marked the first time since August 13-14, 2012, that the Dash have had back-to-back last at-bat victories.
  • DeMichele now has both walk-off hits for Winston-Salem after his walk-off single on Saturday. His other walk-off hit was a three-run home run in the 11th inning on May 8 against Frederick.
  • With a pair of singles on Friday and a walk and a triple on Saturday, Adam Heisler has now reached base in 41 consecutive games dating back to the end of last season. Heisler now has the longest such streak in the majors, as High Desert’s Jamal Austin had his 47-game streak snapped when we went 0-for-4 on Friday. However, Heisler did not play in Sunday’s series finale, and he is not in tonight’s lineup.
Myles Jaye has now won both of his starts since being called up from Kannapolis (Laura Marshall/W-S Dash).

Myles Jaye has won both of his starts since his call up from Kannapolis (Laura Marshall/W-S Dash).

  • Myles Jaye gave Winston-Salem his second straight quality start since he was called up from Kannapolis in Sunday’s 7-3 victory, surrendering three runs in six innings. The righty is now 2-0 and has struck out six in each of his first two High-A starts.
  • The Winston bullpen was excellent this weekend against Potomac. Over the three games, Dash relievers did not yield an earned run across 10.2 innings while giving up just six hits. The bullpen also did not allow a walk in the series against the P-Nats while picking up two of the three wins. Terance Marin (3-2) was the winner in Friday’s series opener, and Brandon Hardin (1-0) was rewarded for his three scoreless innings of relief in Saturday’s walk-off win.
  • Yesterday was the second off day for Winston-Salem in the last 12 days, but now they will not have another until the All-Star Break. The Dash will now play 28 games in the next 27 days, including a doubleheader against Frederick which the Dash announced today has been moved from Memorial Day, May 27, to May 28.

The Dash open up a six-game road trip tonight with the first of a three-game set at the Salem Red Sox. Join Brian here at 6:50 for the Pregame Dash, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05.

- Rob

BB&T Ballpark by the numbers

After 4,487 attended last night’s Dash game against Myrtle Beach, BB&T Ballpark surpassed the one millionth fan mark in it’s young history, making it the fastest a High-A ballpark has never reached that milestone. The ballpark has now hosted 1,004,042 fans in its three plus seasons.

More than one million fans have visited BB&T Ballpark since it opened on April 13, 2010.

More than one million fans have visited BB&T Ballpark since it opened on April 13, 2010.

Those aren’t the only impressive numbers this ballpark boasts. Since the ballpark opened, no team in High-A baseball has had more fans come through its gates. Here’s the top five:

1. Winston-Salem Dash: 1,004,042

2. Frederick Keys: 970,988

3. Wilmington Blue Rocks: 936,405

4. Lake Elsinore Storm: 737,971

5. Myrtle Beach Pelicans: 708,164

The Dash have also posted the best home record among all full season minor league teams since BB&T Ballpark opened. Here’s the top five:

1. Winston-Salem Dash (High-A, Chicago White Sox): 143-87

2. Savannah Sand Gnats (Low-A, New York Mets): 138-88  3.0 GB

3. Columbus Clippers (Triple-A, Cleveland Indians): 141-92 3.5 GB

4. Durham Bulls (Triple-A, Tampa Bay Rays): 142-96 5.0 GB

5. Tennessee Smokies (Double-A, Chicago Cubs): 137-92 5.5 GB

The Dash will try and improve that minor league-leading record even more tonight as the Potomac Nationals roll in to BB&T Ballpark for the first of a three-game series. Join me here at 6:45 for the Pregame Dash. First pitch is scheduled for 7. Talk to you then!

- Rob

Dash to a million: Notable players

Since it opened in April of 2010, there have been numerous great players to play on BB&T Ballpark’s field. Here we have compiled a list of the some of the greatest players to play here in the park’s short history:

Jackie Bradley, Jr.: A member of the 2012 Salem Red Sox and the 2012 Carolina League All-Star team, Bradley was the Opening Day left fielder for the Boston Red Sox this year.

Dylan Bundy represented the Frederick Keys at last year's All-Star Game (Steve Orcutt/W-S Dash).

Dylan Bundy represented the Frederick Keys at last year’s All-Star Game (Steve Orcutt/W-S Dash).

Dylan Bundy: The right-hander made 12 starts for the Frederick Keys last year, and tossed a scoreless inning for the Carolina League in last year’s All-Star Game. He came into 2013 as the number two rated prospect in all of baseball by Baseball America.

Adam Dunn: The slugger came with the White Sox when they played the Dash at BB&T Ballpark in an exhibition game prior to the 2011 season. Mostly a designated hitter the last several years, Dunn had a string of five consecutive seasons with 40 or more home runs from 2004-2008 and is fifth among active players with 413 career home runs.

Billy Hamilton: The speedster represented the Bakersfield Blaze on the California League All-Star team last season and stole two bases in the first inning of the All-Star Game. Hamilton set a record for stolen bases in a minor league season in 2012 with 147 swipes.

Eric Hosmer: Now in his third season as the everyday first baseman for the Kansas City Royals, Hosmer played in the Carolina League with the Wilmington Blue Rocks in 2009 and 2010. In 2010, he won the league’s batting title after posting a .354 average.

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Paul Konerko, who played against the Dash here in 2011, is one of the best hitters of his generation.

Paul Konerko: Now in his 17th season in the big leagues, Konerko was another member of that 2011 White Sox squad that played at BB&T Ballpark in March of that year. The first baseman has 1,352 RBIs in his career, ranking him fifth among all active players.

Manny Machado: A shortstop while coming through the Baltimore Orioles’ system, the 2011 Key alum made the big leagues late last season where he played down the stretch and in the playoffs at third base. Now in his first full season with the Orioles, Machado is the team’s regular third baseman.

Wil Myers: The 2012 Minor League Player of the Year, Myers applied his trade for a long time in the Kansas City system before being traded to the Tampa Bay Rays this past off-season. Considered one of the best hitting prospects in the game, Myers hit .346 in 58 games for the Blue Rocks in 2010.

Addison Reed: Now the closer for the White Sox, the hard-throwing righty had a brief stint with the Dash during the 2011 season. Reed appeared in 15 games out of the Winston-Salem bullpen, posting a 1.59 ERA in 28.1 IP.

Anthony Rizzo: Now the proud owner of a new contract extension that will keep him with the Chicago Cubs through at least 2019, Rizzo was once a Red Sox farmhand. The first baseman played for Salem in 2009 and 2010 before being traded to San Diego in the Adrian Gonzalez deal, and eventually to the Cubs prior to 2012.

A record-setting crowd watched Chris Sale make his professional debut on July 2, 2010.

A record-setting crowd watched Chris Sale make his professional debut on July 2, 2010.

Chris Sale: On July 2, 2010 the southpaw made his professional debut here at BB&T Ballpark in front of what was then the highest attendance in the park’s history at 7,268. Sale would reach the big leagues later in the 2010 season, and is now the ace of the White Sox rotation. In his most recent outing, he nearly threw a perfect game against the Angels.

Andrelton Simmons: The shortstop hit .311 during the 2011 campaign as a Lynchburg Hillcat, and also did some damage as a Hillcat in the 2012 Carolina League Playoffs while on a rehab assignment. Simmons hit two home runs in the playoffs including one against the Dash in the Mills Cup Finals. He is now the regular starting shortstop for the Atlanta Braves.

Come join us tonight as we celebrate the one millionth fan in BB&T Ballpark’s history! One lucky fan will be randomly selected to play a game of chance to win either one million dollars, a two-year lease on a vehicle from Flow Auto, or two Dash tickets for life!

If you can’t make it to the park, join me here at 6:45 for the Pregame Dash with first pitch to follow at 7. Tonight’s game will also be broadcast on 600-AM WSJS in the Winston-Salem area. Talk to you then!

- Rob

Dash to a million: BB&T Ballpark in pictures

Since BB&T Ballpark opened on April 13, 2010, nearly one million fans have made their way through its gates. As we approach this milestone, we decided to take a look back at some of the best moments in this young park’s history.

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The first fans make their way through BB&T Ballpark’s gates ahead of the first game in the park’s history.

MiLB - Potomac vs. Winston-Salem - April 13, 2010

Kenny Williams, the former White Sox GM and father of 2010 Dash alum Kenny Williams Jr., throws out the first pitch in BB&T Ballpark history.

MiLB - Potomac vs. Winston-Salem - April 13, 2010

Fans packed the seats and the left field berm for the park’s inaugural night with 7,111 in attendance.

Winston-Salem Dash vs. Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Dash and Myrtle Beach Pelicans played a 20-inning affair in the second game of a doubleheader on May 19, 2010, prevailing 4-3 when Ozzie Lewis scored the game winning run.

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A tremendous crowd of 7,268 fans (the highest in the park’s history to that point) packed BB&T Ballpark on July 2, 2010 as Chris Sale made his professional debut. Sale is now shining in the big leagues.

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Prior to the 2011 season, Winston-Salem entertained its parent club at BB&T Ballpark. The Dash bested the White Sox 3-0 in an exhibition game.

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On July 5 and 6, 2011, Dash outfielder Nick Ciolli robbed a pair of home runs from Salem and Myrtle Beach, the latter of which would have been a grand slam. See both grabs here and here. (Photo via Steve Orcutt/W-S Dash)

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BB&T Ballpark was jam packed again for the All-Star Game between the California League and Carolina League on June 19, 2012. (Photo via Steve Orcutt/W-S Dash)

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Bolt got together with several of his friends to put on quite a show during last year’s All-Star festivities. (Photo via Steve Orcutt/W-S Dash)

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After the Carolina League finished thrashing the California League 9-1, fans enjoyed a great fireworks show to cap off the week’s festivities. (Photo via Jody Stewart/W-S Dash)

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Dash fans came out in droves on July 4, 2012, setting a BB&T Ballpark record with 7,285 watching the Dash take on the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. (Photo via Jody Stewart/W-S Dash)

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The Dash posted full-season Minor League Baseball’s top record in 2012, and Winston-Salem advanced all the way to the Mills Cup Finals. Kevan Smith clubbed a go-ahead homer in the Dash’s Game 2 win, and Daniel Wagner’s reaction in the middle said it all. (Photo via Dan Barber/W-S Dash).

Thank you to the best fans in Minor League Baseball for helping BB&T Ballpark become the fastest High-A facility to reach one million fans! Check back tomorrow for more BB&T Ballpark history.

- Rob

Still plenty of positives

Dan Black is shining for Double-A Birmingham after a tremendous 2012 in the Triad (Steve Orcutt/W-S Dash).

Dan Black is shining for Double-A Birmingham after a tremendous 2012 in the Triad (Steve Orcutt/W-S Dash).

Even though the Dash have dropped three in a row, there are plenty of positive notes to hit on during this Tuesday afternoon. How about an optimistic set of Dash Dots? Last time we did that, Winston-Salem mustered a sweep at Frederick (proof here). Here’s hoping for a similar result.

DASH DOTS:

  • Dating back to last season, Winston-Salem outfielder Adam Heisler has reached base in 34 straight games, which is tied for the second-longest current streak in Minor League Baseball. High Desert’s Jamal Austin has reached safely in 38 straight games, while Nashville’s Scooter Gennett also has a 34-game run.
  • Heisler made his way aboard in the final three contests of 2012 with rookie-level Great Falls before finding his way on base in all 31 games thus far this season (19 with Low-A Kannapolis and 12 with Winston-Salem). Heisler has hit safely in 27 of these 34 games, and he owns a .303 (40-for-132) average with 15 RBIs and 23 runs scored during this streak.
  • Winston-Salem leads the Carolina League in fielding percentage (.976), and the Dash are tied with Potomac for the fewest errors on the circuit (28). The Dash stumbled out of the gates defensively, amassing 10 errors in the first four games and 21 in the first 14. Since then, though, the Dash have only made seven defensive miscues in their last 17 games.
  • Dash alum Jordan Danks hit a game-winning home run in the eleventh inning against Kansas City Monday, helping the White Sox avoid a sweep against the surging Royals. It was Danks’ first homer of the season.
  • In that ballgame, Addison Reed, who shined with Winston in 2011, earned his 11th save. He also has a win, which means that Reed has had some factor in the decision in 12 of the White Sox first 13 wins.
  • How about the start for Double-A Birmingham? The Barons are a Southern League-best 20-10 on the season, including a 13-2 record at home. Birmingham just wrapped up a five-game sweep of Chattanooga over the weekend with a thrilling 16-14 win Sunday afternoon.
  • Multiple 2012 Dash alums are at or near the top of the SL in a handful of offensive categories. Dan Black is currently leading in batting average (.340) and RBIs (25) and sits second in hits (35). He is only two behind fellow Baron and former Winston-Salem player Marcus Semien, who tops the league in hits with 37. Trayce Thompson also has the second-most runs (24) on the circuit.
  • On the pitching side, Steve McCray and Scott Snodgress are two of five pitchers in the SL who have won four games this season, while Erik Johnson (third, 1.30) and Spencer Arroyo (ninth, 2.36) are in the top 10 on the circuit in earned run average. Taylor Thompson is tied for third with five saves thus far this season, too.
  • Vine is one of the newest social media platforms, and both Dash players and Dash fans are having fun with it. Check out Courtney Hawkins’ clips from the Dash’s MVP Education Day at BB&T Ballpark last Saturday. Plus, Dash fan Eric Martinez sums up a Saturday night game here.

The Dash try to avoid losing their fourth straight home game, something they have only done once in BB&T Ballpark history, tonight at 7 against Frederick. Pregame coverage begins at 6:45 here.

- Erika, Rob and Brian

Dashing to 600

dash1While BB&T Ballpark approaches its one millionth fan, the Dash hit a different milestone last night in Lynchburg. For the 600th time, Winston-Salem’s franchise suited up with the Dash nickname.

The team became the Dash prior to the 2009 season, and the club boasts a 331-268-1 (.553) record in the Dash’s 600 total games (regular season and playoffs).

Here are some of the many accomplishments for Winston-Salem during the Dash era:

  • The Dash lead the Carolina League in winning percentage (.553) and total wins (331) since Opening Day 2009.
  • Winston-Salem has qualified for the playoffs in three of its four full seasons under the Dash nickname (2009, 2010, 2012). The Dash have also played in a pair of Mills Cup Championship Series (2010, 2012).
  • The Dash finished the 2012 campaign with the best regular season record in full-season Minor League Baseball (87-51-1).
  • Among Winston-Salem nicknames, the Dash have the second-best winning percentage. Only the Cardinals (.585, 1945-53) recorded a better one.
  • A total of 13 Dash alums have played in Major League Baseball. So, Winston-Salem has churned out a big leaguer every 46 games since 2009.
  • The Dash have also hosted an All-Star Game and an exhibition against the Chicago White Sox, both of which resulted in victories for the home team.

The only current Carolina League squad with a winning record against the Dash invades BB&T Ballpark for the first of a three-game weekend set tonight at 7. Join Rob and me for the Pregame Dash at 6:45 here. Here’s to 600 more!

- Brian

Putting a bow on Opening Weekend

BB&T Ballpark enjoyed some great crowds for Opening Weekend 2013 (Brian Westerholt/Four Seam Images).

BB&T Ballpark hosted some great crowds for Opening Weekend 2013 (Brian Westerholt/Four Seam Images).

Before we recap this weekend, our thoughts go out to all those affected by the tragedy at today’s Boston Marathon. Baseball takes a back seat to things like that.

The Dash took two out of three games at BB&T Ballpark this weekend against the Carolina Mudcats, giving them a 5-4 record so far this season, and tying them with the Mudcats at the top of the Carolina League’s Southern Division. Some quick notes from a great Opening Weekend:

  • The attendance at Friday and Saturday’s games marked the fourth highest two-game total in the history of BB&T Ballpark with 13,874 fans in attendance. A tremendous crowd of 6,963 fans took in Friday’s home opener, while 6,911 fans watched the Dash’s first home victory of the season on Saturday night.
  • In yesterday’s series finale, the Dash set season highs in runs (15) and hits (17) in a 15-2 romp over the Mudcats. The 15 runs is one shy of the Dash team record, which was set against Salem on May 8, 2010, and matched at Potomac on June 23, 2012.
  • Chris Beck (six innings, no runs Saturday) and Terance Marin (six and two-thirds innings, one run Sunday) became the first two Dash starters to post quality starts in 2013, and both picked up their first win of the season over the weekend.
Courtney Hawkins hit a pair of long balls for the Dash this weekend to give him four already this year (Jody Stewart/W-S Dash).

Courtney Hawkins hit a pair of long balls for the Dash this weekend to give him four already this year (Jody Stewart/W-S Dash).

  • After hitting three home runs (including a Jeremy Farrell grand slam) yesterday, the Dash have now hit home runs in seven consecutive games and lead the Carolina League with 12 long balls.  Courtney Hawkins hit two home runs this weekend to bring his season total to four, which is tied for second in the CL.
  • While the Dash kicked off their fourth season at BB&T Ballpark over the weekend, Double-A Birmingham opened new Regions Field with a bang. Dash alums Spencer Arroyo, Erik Johnson, Steve McCray and Scott Snodgress all started for the Barons this weekend, and all four were victorious during the Barons’ five-game sweep of Mississippi.

The Dash are back on the road again today, traveling to Myrtle Beach to battle the Pelicans for the first time this year. First pitch for tonight’s series opener is set for 7:05. Join Brian here at 6:50 for the Pregame Dash!

- Rob

2013 Home Opener Through Tweets

The saying goes that a picture is worth a thousand words, but can a series of tweets of 140 characters also tell a story? We think so! We used fan’s tweets to retell the story of how the Dash lost their home opener against the Carolina Mudcats 9-7 in front of 6,963 spectators.

Pregame:

During the game:

Postgame:

Thanks to all the great fans who came out to pack BB&T Ballpark last night! Game two of the series is tonight at 7. Watch us live on My 48 or listen to us at wsdash.com/broadcast starting at 6:45 p.m.

-Erika and Curt

What you need to know for Opening Night

Brian Westerholt/Four Seam Images

Brian Westerholt/Four Seam Images

Opening Day is upon us in Winston-Salem after a long wait. The Dash and Mudcats meet at 7 p.m., and a limited number of tickets are still available. Tonight’s game IS expected to sell out, so we encourage you to purchase your seats as soon as possible.

If you are coming out to BB&T Ballpark for the Dash’s home opener, here are some tidbits you should know:

  • With a large crowd expected, parking spots will fill up quickly. The Dash’s downtown shuttle is a solid alternative for fans who will be in the downtown area.
  • As in the past, gates open at 5:30 p.m. for those in the Founders Club. All fans are able to enter the ballpark at 6 p.m.
  • Be sure to be in your seats by 6:50 p.m. for an emotional first pitch, which has a strong connection to our 2013 Service Through Sports Award winner, Rich Brenner.
  • Our postgame fireworks show, presented by WilcoHess, will begin shortly after the conclusion of the game. Once the show ends and the lights illuminate the field enough, kids will be able to run the bases. Listen to in-stadium announcements for where to line up.
  • The Dash begin the 2013 season with the best home record in full-season minor league baseball since 2010, BB&T Ballpark’s debut year. Winston-Salem is 134-77 (.635) at home over the last three seasons. The Dash truly have a home field advantage.
  • Speaking of great showings at home, Winston-Salem has not suffered a home sweep since BB&T Ballpark opened three years ago on Saturday. In other words, the Dash have won at least one game in all 63 series played at BB&T Ballpark.
  • The visiting Mudcats did sweep the Dash at Five County Stadium last weekend, so Winston-Salem will be looking for some revenge this weekend.

If you cannot make it to BB&T Ballpark for the home opener, catch all of the action on a one-hour tape delay on My 48 in the Winston-Salem area. I’ll be joined by former Carolina League umpire Garrett Corl. Fans can also catch the play-by-play beginning at 6:45 p.m. with Rob Low here. Baseball is back in the Triad!

- Brian

One day away

If you follow the Dash on Twitter and Instagram (and if you don’t…what are you waiting for?), you already know that we have been counting down the days until Opening Day at BB&T Ballpark. Finally, that countdown has reached one, with Opening Day tomorrow night at 7 against Carolina. Here are some of the notable numbers from the countdown.

100: The countdown began with this picture on a fairly nice day in early January, 100 days from Opening Day.

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88: At the 88 day mark, we highlighted last year’s Carolina League MVP Dan Black, who posted 88 RBIs for the Dash in 2012.

Dash fans set a single-game attendance record for BB&T Ballpark on July 4, 2012.

Dash fans set a single-game attendance record for BB&T Ballpark on July 4, 2012.

72: On July 4th, 2012, the Dash welcomed a single-game record 7,285 fans into BB&T Ballpark for their game against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.

55: Coming into this season, the Dash have posted a winning percentage of .554 (317-255) in the regular season and playoffs since they became the Dash prior to the 2009 season.

38: Dash outfielder Courtney Hawkins played 38 games for the Bristol White Sox before earning a promotion to Kannapolis and later to Winston-Salem for the end of the regular season and Carolina League playoffs.

25: Twice in the last two seasons, the Dash have been 25 games above .500 at BB&T Ballpark. In 2010, they were 47-22, and last season the club went 48-23.

Kevan Smith hit two huge home runs in the 2012 CL playoffs (Dan Barber/W-S Dash).

Kevan Smith hit two huge home runs in the 2012 CL playoffs (Dan Barber/W-S Dash).

21: Last year, the Dash’s #21, Kevan Smith, hit two home runs in the Carolina League playoffs, including a grand slam in the deciding game of the SDCS against Myrtle Beach.

9: BB&T Ballpark has hosted nine playoff games since it opened in 2010. The Dash have a record of 6-3 in those games.

5: The Dash had five postseason Carolina League All-Stars last season; Dan Black, Michael Earley, Carlos Sanchez, Brady Shoemaker and Trayce Thompson.

1: We have the number one fans in Minor League Baseball. Since opening BB&T Ballpark, almost one million fans have seen a Dash game in the Triad. Our total attendance since 2010 is the tops in High-A baseball. Our final countdown went out to all of you.

Tomorrow night, BB&T Ballpark opens it gates for the first time in 2013 as the Dash take on the Carolina Mudcats at 7! But before we get to that, the Dash have one more in Frederick tonight. Join Brian for the Pregame Dash at 6:45 here.

- Rob

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