In 2008, the Lancaster Barnstormers, the local pro baseball team, offered a Fantasy Day Camp for Father’s Day. The Barnstormers played in the three year old Clipper Magazine Stadium, named in 2021 as the best independent baseball stadium in the country. My children, Alicia and Jared, purchased a spot as my Father’s Day gift. Though it wasn’t a week in Florida, with retired Phillies, and the Barnstormers are a non-affiliated team, playing in an independent league, it was a a thrill to participate.
That year the Barnstormers were managed by two ex-major leaguers, Von Hayes and Rick Wise. Manager Von Hayes was infamously nicknamed 5 for 1 by Phillie fans for his acquisition from the Cleveland Indians for five Phillies. Hayes had his best years as a Phillie, making his only All Star team in 1985. June 11th of that same year, he became the first major league player to hit two home runs in the first inning, one of which was a grand slam, leading the Phils to a 26-7 win over the Mets. Hayes was also the recipient, of what many consider, ESPN’s Chris Berman’s best nickname, “Von Purple Hayes“.
Rick Wise, the pitching coach, was also an ex-Phillie. A two time All-Star, amassing 188 wins in his MLB career. He famously hit two home runs against the Cincinnati Reds on June 23, 1971, while pitching a no-hitter. A sixth inning walk to Dave Concepcion, was the only Red’s runner to reach base, keeping Wise from a perfect game. Wise was familiar with perfect games, his first major league win came in the second game of a doubleheader against the Mets on June 21, 1964. Teammate Jim Bunning had pitched a perfect game in the first game.
Arriving at the empty stadium at 7 am, we were ushered to a suite, overlooking the field, directly above home plate. We were given Barnstormer’s hats and jerseys, with No. 1 Dad emblazoned across the back. After we were feted with coffee and a buffet breakfast, they led us to the home team locker room. There we were introduced to Manager Hayes, Coach Wise and a few players. In a half hour bull session, the coaches and players talked about life in professional baseball and answered any questions that the campers had. For a number of years there had been a debate concerning pitchers in the American League not batting and feeling free to brush back or hit certain batters, with no fear of retaliation by opposing pitchers. In Rick Wise’s day it was common for a pitcher to throw brush backs, knowing they may face retaliation when they batted. I asked what he thought of pitchers, like the former American League pitcher, Roger Clemens, whose name was often mentioned as a pitcher who had no hesitation to brush back or throw at an opposing batter. Coach never hesitated, “Roger Clemens is a pussy.” Enough said.
There was quite an assortment of campers, obvious younger athletes, who had fairly recent high school or college ball experience, middle age or older softball players like myself, (55) and even more obvious, fans with little or no baseball, softball or any athletic background. One of the latter, a rather large, jovial 50 something, sported a tattoo of the mascot, Cylo, on one bicep. Though I might have questioned his subject matter choice, I could not deny his enthusiasm and unbridled delight in being at this camp. After the talks, we took the field for stretching and practice.
The stretching, led by the 6’5″ Von Hayes, who looked like he could still play, was more strenuous then the normal pre-game routine to which I was accustomed. After working up a sweat and wondering if I was going to make it through the rest of the day, we broke into groups for outfield and infield practice. I was in the first group in the outfield, once again led by Manager Hayes. His instructions, after basic ready positions and lateral movements, turned to retreating on a ball hit over your head.
The basic concept, familiar to anyone that has played outfield, is to turn, shoulders in line with the flight of the ball, while watching the ball flight over a shoulder. If the ball, or you should drift and you need to change direction, or the ball now is over your opposite shoulder, DO NOT CROSS YOUR LEGS, simply rotate your shoulders so you can turn your head to the opposite side. Not an easy maneuver, but vital to keep from tripping over your own feet.
Von Hayes then reinforced why you should never cross your legs. Playing in Yankee Stadium for the first time, a dream every young ballplayer has, he made that mistake. It was a nationally televised game, between the Yankees and his Cleveland Indians, Hayes knew that all of his friends and family would be watching. Hayes was patrolling centerfield, when Willie Randolph lined a ball over his head. As he retreated, ready to make the catch, the ball slightly faded and he needed to adjust his position. Crossing his legs, he tripped himself, falling to the ground, losing his hat, as the ball bounced of his glove. Jumping to his feet, reasoning, since the ball had hit his glove, it must be close by, he spun around repeatedly, with no sign of the ball. Meanwhile, Randolph is scampering around the bases, headed towards third with the crowd is going wild. Hayes sees his hat laying on the field, kicking it over, he finds the ball. Quickly recovering the elusive ball, he manages to hold Randolph to a triple. After the game, his friends informed him that the play was shown on replay numerous times, as they all sat there laughing. Lesson learned, he never crossed his legs again. Through his willingness to share this embarrassing moment and his constant good humor throughout the day, I became a big fan.
As we moved to infield practice, I naturally headed to third base, my position for years. As I took my spot, I was amazed at the condition of the infield, easily the most well groomed that I had ever played on. Being on a baseball diamond for the first time in decades, the distance from third to first seemed was daunting. Naturally, my first three throws to first came up short. I soon adjusted and comported myself admirably during infield drills, making almost no errors.
It was now time for batting practice, thrown by Manager Hayes. He threw with some authority, at a good pace. Behind the batting cage stood a few players, including catcher Matt Lecroy. Matt had just completed a seven year stint in the majors, compiling a .260 average with 60 home runs in 476 at bats. During this time, he was also the active player with the most plate appearances without a stolen base. He, like many other Barnstormers, were hoping for another, or first, shot at the majors. As I nervously took the plate, Hayes sent a fat pitch, straight down the middle. Adrenaline flowing, I swung, not unlike a kid, their first time with a bat, corkscrewing myself in a 360 degree pirouette, while wildly missing the ball. Prompting Matt Lecroy to remark, “Easy Big Boy, don’t hurt yourself.” Properly mortified, I relaxed and made contact with the next offering. In short order I was roping line drives hitting one to the base of the outfield fence. My brief humiliation turned to unabashed pride, when Matt then said, “That’s it, maybe we should offer you a contract.” Another fan made. Matt went on to a good year for the Barnstormers, hitting .326 with 22 home runs. This was to be his last season as a player. He is currently the manager for the Rochester Redwings a Triple A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. I wish him luck.
After practice, we were split into two teams for a game. Our families were then invited to enter the stadium and watch these highly tuned athletes compete. With Von Hayes pitching, my first at bat resulted in a single up the middle. Advancing eventually to third, to the plate came the large, Cylo tattooed, camper mentioned earlier. With one out, he weakly dribbled a ball back to Manager Hayes. Taking off to first with all of the speed he could muster, he tripped himself, falling flat on his face. Hayes approached his prone form, hesitating as he reached down to make the tag, saying something, that caused both of them to break into laughter. Later, in the dugout, I asked him what Von Hayes had said as he applied the tag. He looked at me with a huge grin and says;
“He said, I think you started your slide a bit early“.
Von Hayes
How could you not like this guy?
Game over, we adjourned to the home plate suite for a buffet luncheon. The Barnstormers were playing shortly after our repast. The campers were invited to take the field, standing with the Barnstormers at our respective positions, as the National Anthem was played.
My wife commented, “I’ve never seen you smile so much!”. It was a great day and experience, unfortunately, the Barnstormers never repeated that event.
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