A Weekend With the Chicago Dogs

Chicago IL

26 July, 2021

10:11 AM

Description

Seeing it was Butch Hobson Bobblehead Night at Friday's Chicago Dogs game, my buddy and I agreed to meet at Impact Field for a night of baseball. We enjoyed it so much, we came back for the entire weekend series. The Dogs won two of the three weekend games, which also featured live music on Friday, an Elvis-themed Saturday with fireworks and pre-game onfield fun with the team on Sunday. The Chicago Dogs started play in 2018, quickly gaining popularity and capturing the attention of Chicago sports fans. A member of the American Association of Professional Baseball, an official Partner League of Major League Baseball, the Dogs play in the beautiful 6,300 seat Impact Field. Located adjacent to an expressway and just east of O'Hare Airport, the stadium offers interesting views as the backdrop. Photo courtesy of Daniel Boczarski An issue with the Butch Hobson bobblehead unfortunately meant we would not get one that night, but the staffers were very helpful and communicated to all we would get a raincheck for it. In addition, we all got Mike Ditka bobbleheads. I'd say the Dogs went above and beyond with this and the fans appreciated it. Graphic courtesy of the Chicago DogsSchool of Rock provided live entertainment on Friday. A music school for all skill levels and ages, School of Rock features local musical students. WGN TV's Marcus Leshock and Paul Konrad were broadcasting live during the game, along with having fun on and off the field. They spent much of their time posing with fans, including me. Saturday night was Elvis-themed. Elvis impersonators entertained fans, who got into the act wearing blue suede shoes and sparkly jumpsuits, while gyrating their hips to the King's music. An amazing fireworks display celebrated a win to end the night. I was really excited about Sunday's game, which featured pre-game onfield interaction with the team. I grew up watching Dogs Manager Butch Hobson play third base for the Boston Red Sox (and later the California Angels and New York Yankees). In 2018, when he was named the first manager fo the Dogs, I had the pleasure of interviewing him prior to the season opener. I was hoping to catch up with him Sunday. Armed with gloves, fans lined up hours prior to Sunday's game to ensure maximum time on the field for the pre-game catch followed by pictures and autographs with the team. Hundreds of parents tossed balls to their eager children, who were ecstatic to be playing on a real baseball field. The fun increased when the team interaction period started. I talked to a bunch of players from the Dogs and the Cleburne Railroaders, their opponents. I somehow missed Butch, but I did get to meet his son K.C., a first baseman with the Dogs. Missing Papa Butch just means I will have to go back on a future Sunday to see him again! Pre-game with K.C. Hobson and Harrison Smith The Dogs lost the series finale, but still took two of the three games. The games also featured plenty of other onfield fun, usually involving younger fans. Races, wrestling in sumo-suits and other games provided fun between innings. Mustard and Ketchup, the team's mascots, were all over the park entertaining fans. Ketchup would often get playfully booed, because everyone knows, ketchup does not belong on a Chicago dog. The Dogs are 38-25, good for second place in the North Division. They trail the Milwaukee Milkmen by three games, but with about 35 games left in the season, there is plenty of time for the Dogs to catch their northern rivals. Photo courtesy Daniel Boczarski