`OLD BALL GAME' LIVES ON IN LANCASTER : JETHAWKS MIX ENTERTAINMENT WITH ATHLETICS.Byline: Jim Skeen Daily News Staff Writer A night at The Hangar watching the Lancaster JetHawks The Lancaster JetHawks are a minor league baseball team in Lancaster, California, USA. They are a Class-A Advanced team in the California League, and are a farm team of the Boston Red Sox. is like stepping back in time before there were millionaire baseball players, when buying a ticket didn't require taking out a second mortgage. The JetHawks front office kept the fans in mind in setting ticket prices - $2.50 to $6 - and in providing entertainment to complement the game. The result is a relaxed, fun atmosphere. For the uninitiated, here are the basics: The JetHawks, formerly the Riverside Pilots, are a Class A minor-league team Noun 1. minor-league team - a team that plays in a minor league minor-league club farm club, farm team - a minor-league team that is owned by a major-league team (especially in baseball) team, squad - a cooperative unit (especially in sports) playing their inaugural season in the new, $14.3 million Lancaster Municipal Stadium, aka The Hangar. The JetHawks, an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Mariners have played in Safeco Field. , are part of the 10-team California League The California League is a minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth , playing teams from cities like San Bernardino San Bernardino, city, United States San Bernardino (săn bûr'nədē`nō), city (1990 pop. 164,164), seat of San Bernardino co., S Calif., at the foot of the San Bernardino Mts.; inc. 1854. , Lake Elsinore, Modesto and Stockton. While the California League can't come near the level of talent the big leagues have, fans can see an occasional star on the rise. Seattle Mariners superstar Ken Griffey Jr. played in the league, as did Dodgers Eric Karros and Mike Piazza, both major-league Rookie of the Year award Rookie of the Year award is newly established in 1985 that third season in K-League. Many star palyers were received this award such as Lee Dong-Gook, Lee Chun-Soo, and so on. winners. Located along the Antelope Valley Freeway The Antelope Valley Freeway is a freeway in Los Angeles and Kern counties in southern California. It is signed as California State Highway 14 along its length. It connects Greater Los Angeles to the rapidly developing Antelope Valley. and Avenue I, The Hangar has readily available parking for $1.50. For the really thrifty, there is free parking in the dirt lot west of the ballpark. Designed by HOK Sports, the same firm that designed Orioles Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, The Hangar is a comfortable, intimate ballpark with 4,500 seats and two grass berms with festival seating. The Hangar features two of the more unusual amenities in all of baseball: a hot tub and two barber chairs on the grass berm berm: see beach. on the right-field side. Haircuts are $6, and the money goes to charity. Drawings are held nightly for the right to watch a future game from the hot tub. The JetHawks provide a variety of light entertainment between innings, from baby races to putting contests between JetHawks mascot KB and a fan, and a ``Let's Make a Deal'' game. Nightly rituals include singing ``YMCA'' and watching KB run - and lose - a race around the bases with a youngster from the stands. The Mariners have provided the JetHawks with good talent. Four JetHawks were named to this year's All-Star team: pitcher Ken Cloude, infielder Jason Cook, and outfielders Jose Cruz Jr. and Marcus Sturdivant. If attendance is the true barometer, the JetHawks have done a good job of keeping their fans entertained. The team draws an average of about 4,400 fans a game. The JetHawks have 29 home games remaining on their schedule. The next homestand begins July 4 with three games against the Stockton Ports, followed by four games with the Lake Elsinore Storm The Lake Elsinore Storm are a minor league baseball team in Lake Elsinore, California, USA. They are a "high-A" class team in the California League, and are a farm team of the San Diego Padres. . CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: (1--SAC edition only) Tina Compton, left, Antoine Mc Cord, 10, and Lance Cody, 12, all of Lancaster, dance to pregame music. (2--AV edition only--Color) JetHawks coach DelwynYoungchats with a fan, JeanGayer of Lancaster, before a game.Seats are cheap, from $2.50 to $6. Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News |
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