What's the big flat wet thing directly north of Cleveland? No, before Canada . . . Yep, it's a lake -- and someone please tell the Erie Seawolves. Though the Pennsylvania town shares the same lake, it sure doesn't have a sea. What it does have is a cozy little downtown ballpark, home of the Detroit Tigers' AA affiliate, with asymmetrical seating and a first-base side that's double-decked to squeeze the stands in against adjacent 10th Street. Following is a clip 'n' save guide to the park's defining nuances:
Food: Don't miss the pepperoni balls: hot bread buns with pepperoni baked inside.
History: Erie native Sam Jethroe starred in the Negro Leagues just after Jackie Robinson's pioneering season in the bigs. His name and number stand beside Robinson's on the left-field wall.
Mascot: The Seawolf talks! It affects a gravelly sea-captain voice that scares the kiddies.
Games: This Friday and Saturday at 6:35 p.m., and Sunday and Monday at 2:05 p.m., vs. the New Haven Ravens; Tuesday and Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. vs. the Reading Phillies. $2 to $8.
Directions: Jerry Uht Field, 110 East 10th Street, Erie, Pennsylvania (I-90 to I-79 to 12th Street exit heading east; 100 miles); call 814-456-1300. -- Mark T. Fatla
Hike Into History
The Metroparks honor the original suburban sprawlers.
SUN 5/25
The Cleveland Metroparks' upcoming program Signs of Man Connecting With the Land delves into the history of the Strongsville area's early settlers. Throughout the 3.5-mile hike, a Metroparks naturalist will share details about the homes of pioneers and the natural resources upon which they depended. Signs of Man Connecting With the Land takes place from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday at the Royalview Picnic Area (in the Mill Stream Run Reservation, off Valley Parkway, just south of Royalton Road and Route 82 in Strongsville). Admission is free. For more information on this and other Metroparks hikes, call 440-526-1012. -- Michael Gallucci
