There Will Be Baseball in Ogden
First, a look back at baseball in Ogden which has maintained a small town atmosphere. The Ogden Raptors are the Dodgers’ Rookie League team in the Pioneer league. The Raptors are an advanced rookie team that became affiliated with the Dodgers in 2003. Prior to that, the Ogden team was an affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. Ogden, with a population of about 83,000, claims to be the oldest settlement in
First, a look back at baseball in Ogden which has maintained a small town atmosphere.
The Ogden Raptors are the Dodgers’ Rookie League team in the Pioneer league. The Raptors are an advanced rookie team that became affiliated with the Dodgers in 2003. Prior to that, the Ogden team was an affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers.
Ogden, with a population of about 83,000, claims to be the oldest settlement in Utah dating back to 1845 and has a long history with minor league baseball of over 100 years.
The Raptors are blessed to play in one of the most beautiful settings in professional baseball. In fact, Lindquist Field, which was built in the heart of downtown Ogden in 1997, was named the “Best View” by Baseballparks.com – not just in the Pioneer League but in all of Baseball. Digitalballparks.com gave Lindquist Field the same honor and also awarded it the 2007 Ballpark of the Year. Not alone in their assessment, a staff writer for Grand Slam Enterprises, Inc. also named the view beyond the fence as the best in professional baseball. The outfield fences are set against a breathtaking panoramic view the Wasatch Mountains, which majestically stand at 9,000 feet above sea level.
The Raptors have led the Pioneer League in attendance every year since 1997 and did so again in 2019 with an average attendance of 3,951. The continued yearly attendance is due to the historically strong fan base and is buoyed by the ownership’s efforts to thank the fans in a variety of creative ways. Since 1997 upwards of one million free general admission tickets have been given away at local restaurants, thus supporting the team and the restaurant industry.
“There’s a million of them (tickets),” said Raptors president and general manager Dave Baggott. “That’s a lot of them. It’s an unprecedented program. No one has ever done it. I challenge any other company to donate $5 million (worth of product) to their communities.”
Baggott made another strong commitment to the fans way back in 2013.
“We want to celebrate the history of baseball in Ogden, and there is quite a history here,” Baggott said. “Our goal for our 20th year is to increase that fan experience and thank our fans for the support they’ve always given us.”
Two events of note were part of the 2013 Ogden Raptors promotions. One was to honor and recognize the Dodgers’ first stint in Ogden, then called the Ogden Dodgers. The Raptors had a poster giveaway night to honor members of the 1968 Ogden Dodgers team that included Steve Garvey, Bobby Valentine, Bill Buckner and manager Tommy Lasorda, who were part of a run that saw Ogden sweep four consecutive Pioneer League championships. Tommy won three of those championships with the Raptors from 1966-68 and 14 of the players he managed in Ogden went on to play at the MLB level. In 2009 his Ogden jersey, number 4, was retired, and Ogden Mayor Matthew Godfrey proclaimed July 10, 2009 “Tommy Lasorda Day” in the city.
The second event is a bit off topic but demonstrates the family-like atmosphere of baseball in Ogden. The Raptors honored Robbie Parker, who more than a decade ago served for three seasons as “Oggie,” the Raptors’ lovable dinosaur mascot. Perhaps it was not so much to honor Robbie but to help him and his family through a very trying time. Our hearts all broke with the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012, none more so than that of Robbie Parker and his family.
A decade ago Robbie Parker in his worst nightmare could not have ever dreamed of the horrific tragedy that his family would have to endure. On that fateful day last December, Robbie, his wife Alissa and their two other little girls would lose their adorable daughter and sister, 6-year-old Emilie, forever. On July 20, the Raptors remembered and honored Emilie and the Parker family by holding a special night in her memory.
“Our players are going to wear pink jerseys, her favorite color, with her name on the backs of their jerseys,” said Baggott. “We’ll auction those jerseys off for $500 each, and all the proceeds will go to the Emilie Parker Fund. We want to pay tribute to a fallen child who did not get a chance at life. This will help raise money for their other two daughters and allow their family to come out and enjoy a night of baseball with us and our great fans. It’s our small way of trying to help them overcome a terrible, devastating tragedy.”
https://www.ksl.com/article/26077647/raptors-honor-emilie-parker-raise-money-for-foundation
Most of the Raptor players don’t live in apartments, hotels or dorms but instead live with a ‘Host Family.’ They move in with a local family while they play for the team. Each player, often more than one per host family, has a home away from home. The host family program gives the young players a stable environment in which they have the security of surrogate parents, eat well, get proper rest and share in household duties. I can picture a host Mom watching over a professional baseball player, seeing the needs of the young man, not the player. One can only imagine the lifetime bonds that develop among the players and their host families with whom they share their successes and more importantly the times when they do not succeed.
The Ogden Raptors do not play in a small town as I remember a small town. The Liverpool Larrupers did play in a small town of about 2,500 people in Nova Scotia, Canada in the 1950’s, a time when young players, mostly from New England, lived with host families. Ogden, with a population of around 83,000, is more of a small city than a small town, yet team management and the people of Ogden have managed to maintain that small town baseball atmosphere that I remember so well. Dave Baggott, twenty-seven years as president and general manager of the team, seems to have a different philosophy regarding the fans that support the team. It isn’t ‘how can I get you into the stadium,’ but rather ‘what can I do for you once you have paid your $9.00 general admission and entered the stadium?’
This is how baseball is supposed to be or how it was in Ogden. The Raptors are an integral part of Ogden and Dave Baggott intends to keep it that way. MLB announced last November that part of a plan to streamline minor league baseball included eliminating 42 minor league teams. The plan would eliminate the rookie level Pioneer League in which the Raptors play.
This brings us back to Dave Baggott who instantly spoke out against the plan.
Baggott said in December 2019 that the idea of increased costs and poor facilities is a “made-up excuse” and said “they would rather disconnect grassroots baseball from millions of Major League Baseball fans so they can save approximately $600,000 per team.”
A congressional bipartisan committee was set up December to go to bat for minor league ball.
Reps. Lori Trahan, D-Mass., David McKinley, R-W.Va., Max Rose, D-N.Y., and Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, announced the formation of the Save Minor League Baseball Task Force, saying they will advocate for communities that stand to be most harmed by the proposal. The lawmakers said they would monitor ongoing negotiations between major and minor league baseball as well as discuss potential legislation if and when it becomes necessary.
Raptors President Dave Baggott was among Minor League Baseball officials and team owners who talked strategy with the task force in Washington. Baggott said in places like Montana and Utah, local minor league teams are fans’ only connection to major league baseball.
“To cut that off at the knees and immediately alienate millions of baseball fans around the country, just doesn’t make any sense to me,” he said. “I just don’t think baseball’s that stupid.”
Baggott said negotiations between major league and minor league officials are still in early stages and nothing has been finalized and might not be for some time. He said he fully intends to have baseball in Ogden next year and beyond.
https://www.standard.net/sports/ogden-raptors/ogden-raptors-team-president-punches-back-against-insanity-of-minor-league-contraction-proposal/article_7aef1eb5-efed-55f1-915a-cdbb923f48a9.html
“We just finished our 26th year in Ogden and I want to have another 26, but I want there to be value in our franchise,” he said. “I want our public, our fan base to confidently know that we intend on going nowhere.”
If the “insanity” plays out as proposed, Baggott said that, aside from lawsuits filed by all 42 teams and their municipalities, the Raptors will play professional baseball at Lindquist Field in 2021 and beyond, whether as an independent team or “affiliated like we all want.”
The Raptors said in a Facebook post:
“We all know MiLB is affordable baseball that allows everyone, not just folks in big cities, to experience everything weird and/or wonderful about this great sport.”
That’s the way it should be.
More from Dodger Talk
Dodgertown Still Whispers in my Ear!
NOTE: This is an update of a blog I published in 2017. Evan B wrote about Vero Beach and said there was no place like it. I totally agree. I have been to Vero Beach over a dozen times maybe 20, I really can t say. The year before the Dodgers moved to Arizona, we were looking at condos in that area. Fortunately, we could not afford it at the time .
Dave Roberts: On the Hot Seat in 2024?
Over the last eight seasons, no team has won as many games as Dave Robert’s Dodgers. 753. His teams have won seven division titles, three NL pennants, and a World Series. Lasorda and Alston, probably the two most celebrated managers in Dodger history, never came close to that…
Greatest Hitters In Dodger History
The Dodgers this season saw two of the best in the major’s bat back-to-back all year. Both put up excellent seasons. Both have had stellar careers to this point. Both Freeman and Betts will get some serious Hall consideration. Where do they rank with the hitters of the past…
1977: Remembering Tommy's First Year
On September 29th, 1976, Walter Alston, who had been the Dodgers manager since 1954, stepped down and retired. He was replaced by third base coach, Thomas Charles Lasorda. Tommy had been a part of the Dodger organization on and off since 1949 when the Dodgers drafted him from…
Discussion (122)
Disagree, not disagreeable
I would keep CK
Now,, how in the he hell Dodgers will get a run?
Grisham. Where’s Joe Kelly when we need him??
Uh-oh. Here we go. CK gives up an HR!
Dodger bats look pathetic. Luckily, CK is pitching well. How long will he be able to go tonight? Would love to see him get a complete game and give the BP a rest. Will Doc be able to handle such a radical thought?
I got a question for anybody who can answer it. When a guy gets on base the pitcher looks at either the second baseman third baseman or shortstop and points to that guy. What is that about?
Two fist ks for Joc and Muncy
if the lineup is set by a computer. So why a manager? …. I hope I’m wrong and the Dodgers tonight hit well, But baseball is mental and it helps a lot with confidence and Polock and Smith. Even Hernandez are in a better time than Joc, Lux and Muncy. Let’s go blue’s
“Kenley Jansen, who has pitched in back-to-back days, is unavailable tonight. He might be the only high-leverage reliever down.” from ESPN.
Me says, Praise Jesus!
Dodgers batting lineup vs Dinelson Lamet:
Joc – 3-7, 1 double, 2 HRs, 3 RBIs, 1 walk, 1 K – .429/.556/1.429/1.984
CT3 – 2-6, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 walk, 4 K – .333/.429/.833/1.262
Max – 1-6, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 walk, 3 K – .167/.375/.667/1.042
Corey – 2-7, 1 double, 2 RBIs, 1 walk, 1 K – .286/.375/.429/.804
Betts – 1-3, 0 walk, 1 K – .333/.333/.333/.667
Cody – 3-13, 1 RBI, 1 walk, 5 K – .231/.286/.231/.516
Edwin Rios – 0-1- .000/.500/.000/.500
Gavin Lux – 0-2 – 2 K, .000/.000/.000/.000
Austin Barnes – 0-2, 1 K – .000/.000/.000/.000
Team vs. Lamet – .255/.364/.553/.917
Padres batting lineup vs Clayton Kershaw:
Tatis, Jr – 3-5, 2 walks – .600/.714/.600/1.314
Machado – 5-15, 2 HRs, 6 RBIs, 2 K – .333/.333/.733/1.067
Austin Nola – 1-3 – .333/.333/.333/.667
Wil Myers – 4-37, 1 RBI, 2 walks, 13 K – .108/.171/.108/.279
Team vs. Kershaw – .217/.273/.317/.589
Cohen agrees to buy the Mets. Waiting on approval by the other owners. Sandoval signs with the Braves, Hoskins to 10 day IL
I love bellinger but I cannot hardly watch him bat at this point. He is way over swinging. He will end up with back problems if he continues this out of control off balance swing. He reminds me of a pitcher who gets men on base and try’s to throw a 105. Calm down get a base hit. This is so obvious surely the decision makers can see.
Today vs Lamet:
Mookie
Seager (DH)
Joc (LF)
Muncy (1b)
CT3 (ss)
Belli (CF)
Rios (3b)
Lux (2b)
Barnes
Kersh
This has nothing to do with anything, but it popped up on my YouTube Feed today and I felt compelled to share it:
In 2019, Cody Bellinger was the NL MVP. Watch this video and tell me that his swing is much different and see where he is standing:
It’s always easy to figure out other people’s problems. If A-Rod saw where he set up last year, he would have told him to move. A-Rod is a blow hard!
Nice comfortable win last night
* Good for KJ getting right back on the horse and having a clean inning. I haven’t changed my thoughts on his role in the future but I admire his fortitude. I certainly don’t want him to fail.
* A-Rod – I can’t stand the guy but he was spot on his analysis of Belli’s swing woes. Badger, Bear, me and others have all pointed out the same things: head movement causing pulling off pitches, severe bucket foot, poor balance and standing on the plate. All of this causes timing issues and lack of consistency. For starters, bend your knees into an athletic position and Get OFF the plate.
* I haven’t talked at all about next year. I’m concerned about now. But I will say that if the DH stays, and I think it will, I would like to see a permanent DH weapon in that role and not just a player who isn’t on defense that day. An Edgar Martinez type. That might be JT. A right hand bat with power as DH would help. The last 2 games had Joc and Lux in the 8 or 9 holes and they were 0 for 8. A total waste of a spot that should be a weapon.
* Cool article on Joe Davis today in the Athletic. Joe pulled off an unusual double header Saturday calling a college football game from the Fox studio followed by the Dodger game with Smoltz.
* DBMom mentioned Smith Field in SLC as another park like Lindquist Field with a great view of the Wasatch Mountains. Salt Lake has had baseball at that spot where Smith Field is since 1915. It was Derk’s Field forever until the rebuild. U of Utah plays there along with the Bees. Besides Lindquist Field in Ogden, BYU has a baseball complex just up the street in Provo. Utah Valley U has a great park close by in Orem that they share with the Orem Owlz in the Pioneer League. Lots of quality baseball and facilities all close by.
* Absolutely great article and pictures today Harold. Terrific work. You touched a hot spot with me on the contrition of 42 minor league teams. Your comments about the importance of affordable, family-friendly baseball for the grass roots baseball fan is spot on. The spin that MLB can’t afford to increase minor league salaries and afford the $600,000 to support the 42 teams is bullshit. Manny Machado makes $51,000 every at bat. 12 at bats would support the 42 teams on the block. Manfred, the puppet for the owners , is bound and determined to make this happen which has been made easier by the pandemic.
* Mark mentioned listening to Duquette on the radio where he said that MLB pays for everything: bats, balls, transportation, meals, uniforms, etc and gets nothing back except to grow their players.
I don’t believe that’s true:
MiLB teams pay for a portion for bats and balls. MiLB pays for transportation (air and ground) for MLB employed players and staff. MiLB pays for batting cages, batting practice equipment and maintains the ballparks to MLB standards. MiLB pays all the uniform costs and frequently picks up the tab for housing and cars for the coaches and support personnel.
As part of the current agreement MiLB annually incurs expenses in excess of $60 million in cash, goods and services tied to players, coaches and staff
In addition, over $20 million a year is paid by MiLB to the Commissioner’s Office in a “ticket tax” to pay nearly 50% of player salaries below AA levels.
* many have mentioned a “Dream League”. Basically, independent teams and leagues not supported by MLB financially, just verbally. When looking a sustainability of independent baseball, a 20:year look (1999-2019) at independent baseball’s 5 largest leagues shows that just over a 100 teams participated and just 11 that started in 99 still exist in 2019. Local communities and local owners can’t make it without MLB financial help.
Again, great stuff Harold. Thanks for the post.
Fun article about Don Drysdale’s exploits with a bat in 1958 – 7 HRs hit in 24 AB!
Open on www.sbnation.comhttps://www.sbnation.com/secret-base/21222742/don-drysdale-los-angeles-dodgers-home-runsGood article and good comments today. Here’s my take:
1 – On minor league ball, the minors exist for one reason – to get talent to the majors. I enjoy going to minor league games too (in Sacramento, the AAA River Cats), but MLB has no responsibility to continue any minor league franchise. It’s totally wrong to require a business to operate a franchise in a given location because it has operated there in the past. I question how this will hurt MLB in the long run but don’t believe that any one has the right to require MLB to keep operating a minor league franchise anywhere.
2 – ARod is spot on with Bellinger. He is too close to the plate causing him to pull off of the ball, open his right hip, swing off balance and on his heels, slowing his bat speed and reducing his ability to make contact. It’s a minor miracle that he has done as well has he has. If ARod has figured it out (and several others who have posted here) then surely the Dodgers’ coaching staff has also, which raises questions in my mind as to Bellinger’s coachability. If this isn’t fixed by the post-season then Belli will have yet another ugly playoff performance.
3 – While the Dodgers have a very good record, they still have several glaring problems:
a – Problems hitting LHP – (.722 OPS against vs .847 against RHP)
b – Innings pitched per game started – 4.7. They will expose the bullpen and lose games that they should win. Buehler didn’t show up ready to pitch and Roberts has babied the young starters all year long.
c – The black hole that is 2B.
d – Surprisingly, given the team’s advantage against RHP, the inability of the LH power hitters (Bellinger, Muncy Pederson) to hit their weight.
This looks like the year that the Dodgers can finally win it all – but I’m concerned that they don’t seem to be addressing the obvious problems that need to be addressed so that they can do it.
Just doing the Math it doesn’t seem like many people want to go to the games. Average attendance 3,951, but $5,000,000 in tickets given away? Seems like there must be lots of free tickets that are never used.
It makes me very funny to read that everyone is very concerned about the series against San Diego, they are the ones in second place, they are the ones who made a lot of changes, they are the ones who try to reach first place, they are the ones who want to to win, they are the ones with the pressure …. They are very lucky so far. Also I do not understand why many consider the stupid clown Tatis as the future MVP of this year….
If the admiration for SD is so great, then off this blog, this is for the LA Dodgers…I just hope Jensen doesn’t come in to pitch!
But can we beat the AL champion and win a WS. The AL is much stronger than the NL this year.
Max Muncy is the one that concerns me the most, when he was in Oakland he was not good and then he came to the Dodgers and for two years he was quite good, but now he is performing very similarly, in general, to when he was in Oakland.
My question is which is the real Muncy, the one in Oakland or the one in Los Angeles?
If you told me the numbers of Belly, Muncy, Joc and Lux In mid September before this season began who would have thought we’d have the record we have! Wow! Still don’t have a lot of confidence heading into the post season tho!
This is the high point of the season. I suggest Roberts do this:
Nothing would break their spirit like a good, old-fashioned beat-down!
Badger. The F35’s never came to Boise. They were a finalist, but another air base was given the contract. We have the Warthogs. They fly over the city, but very quietly, until they get away from the city.