It would be close, and require an extra day, but the Pelicans were slated to be playing against the Kinston Indians on the 11th. Braves prospects? The Beach? A new ballpark? Sold. I had to modify my travel plans a little bit to accommodate this new goal, but let's face it - there weren't many other opportunities for me to embark to Myrtle Beach, let alone by myself; not to sound too pretentious, but there are a couple of other beaches that come to mind that I'd take precedence over Myrtle, but none of them have Braves baseball at them.

Besides, this made it even easier to decide that I was going to tackle all four contemporary levels of the Atlanta Braves' minor league system in one season. So obviously, a day-trip or something to Mississippi is to be expected in the very near future. Three down, one to go.

The staff, like at the few minor league parks I've been to were nothing but local, friendly, and extremely hospitable. They made me feel welcome upon entering, and helped me out with any questions I had for them from cabs to food opinions.

Economically speaking, I can't state it enough that I simply love minor league baseball. The cost of tickets is laughable compared to the exorbitant costs of MLB seating these days. I paid $10 and had a third row seat right next to the Pelicans' dugout, and a marvelous view of the game when I was actually sitting and watching. And speaking of the seats, it makes me curious to know what wide-bottomed majority demographic they expect, because the seats were so wide and spacious. Not that I'm complaining, since space is always nice, but definitely more noticeable, and cavernous compared to the creaky cramps of Fenway Park and Dodger Stadium.

It was Thirsty Thursday the night I was at the Beach - meaning cheap dollar beers available, which only help elate my mood. It also, combined with the fact that it's a touristy beach destination to begin with, drew in a very generous crowd, probably the best I'd seen for a minor league park, ever. Upon asking a staffer if the attendance seen was the norm, he candidly mentioned that it was probably the beer that brought them to the park in the first place. I wasn't complaining.

As opposed to the highly-involved, highly-vested fans of Rome, the Myrtle Beach fans were mostly indifferent, and mostly ambivalent to what was going on, on the field. Many, like myself were just tourists to begin with, but the difference was that I really did want to watch some baseball, because these would be the kids that I would eventually expect to see at Turner Field one day.

I really dug the whole Landshark Beach area they have in left field, and I had hoped to be be able to watch an inning or two from there, but unfortunately for me, there was a private function that had the entire area allocated off.

Despite the fact that I was enjoying my experience, it was time for a first for my short list of travels - the first ever rain cancellation. In the top of the 5th inning, the skies darkened very quickly, and prior to the first drop even falling, the grounds crew knew what was coming, halted the game, threw out the tarp, and players on both teams retreated to the dugout. In an efficient display of preparation, the field was ready for the rain, minutes before the torrential downpour began, and ultimately cancelled the remainder of the game. One thing of note was that one inebriated fan took the field for a display of slip and slide, and instead of being tackled, beaten and arrested like at an MLB park, security let him get it off, and simply chased him off the field with no further punishment. Minor league ball rules.

Despite the fact that my experience was cut a little short, I was not disheartened. I got to see Coastal Field myself, and enjoy at least a few innings of Pelicans baseball. During the rain delay, I enjoyed the company of two cute girls as we chatted about travel and not caring about a little bit of rain. I doffed the sandals and trudged around in the rain, since it was warm beach rain, and muggy out to begin with, so it actually felt kind of nice. It doesn't really matter that I won't be able to attend the make-up innings any time soon, I still walked out of the Beach feeling satisfied with my most recent journey.

Noteable performance(s):   Nobody in particular. Not enough ball occurred for me to really declare. Erik Cordier pitched decently for the Pelicans, only giving up a single run in his four innings pitched on three hits, but Russell Young for the Indians allowed zero. The lone RBI was of the two-out variety by Lonnie Chisenhall, naturally after walks put the scoring runners on, because WALKS. KILL. Notable to mention, would be left-fielder Cody Johnson, because he was nice enough to sign a baseball for me prior to the game. I'm rooting for him to become the next Adam Dunn which many are already anointing him as.

Game Result:   There was no result. Mother Nature reared her ugly head into the scenario and in the top of the 5th inning with the Pelicans trailing 1-0, the skies darkened faster than a campfire marshmallow, the tarps flew on, and then the rain fell without mercy. The remainder of the game was canceled, and unfortunately, I probably won't be privy to see the end result if it's ever made up in the future. So for all intents and purposes, Kinston 1, the Beach 0.

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