First Trip to Peoria This Year

It seems the past few years I have spent Father's Day at a ballpark.  I can recall days in Peoria, Indianapolis, and St. Louis that I spent with the entire family watching a game.  This year was no different as we headed to Peoria to watch the Chiefs for the first time this year.  The stadium give away was a very nice Chiefs dry fit shirt for the fathers in attendance.  Sundays are also autograph day for kids, so of course my son and daughter had some good luck.

The Chiefs had out player posters on most Sunday games.  This one featured the 5 players who were voted to the Midwest League All Star game.  The only auto we did not get was Andrew Knizer who was promoted to Double A Springfield a week or so before the game.

Nick Plummer was the Cardinals #1 draft pick in 2015.  He did not play in 2016 due to a wrist injury.  He is not having the best of seasons right now, batting under .200 with 2 home runs.  He is only 21 years old, so he may have time to turn it around.

Dylan Carlson was Cardinals #1 pick in 2016.  He is doing better than Plummer, hitting .230 with 6 home runs while showing a cannon of an arm in right field.  He is only 18 years old, so there is promise there.  He was the player of the game by hitting a 3 run home run.  He also struck out 3 times though.

Ronnie Williams was a second round pick in 2014.  After starting his career as a starter, he was moved to a reliever this year with a little bit better results. 

O'Keefe is repeating low A Peoria as a 24 year old.  I doubt he will ever make the majors, but he does provide a veteran presence for the young pitching staff.  My son was thrilled to get his auto on this 2016 team card.  He is only 6 or 7 away from completing the set.

I bought the 2017 team set while we were there.  Nice looking cards that I am sure my son will attempt to get autographed also. 

Our seats were by the Chiefs dugout.  After a strikeout to end the top of the second, O'Keefe tossed my son this ball.  He always seems to come away with some type of souvenir from Chiefs games. To end our day, I was able to play catch on the field with my kids after the game.  Can't think of anything else I would rather do on Father's Day.