I like the new CPF cartoon.

but you're not fooling us, we've seen the moody black and white not looking at the camera shot too.

We're into one of my favourite parts of the baseball year, the bit where veteren players who don't make the club retire. Normally with me thinking 'what were you still playing'. We've had the mightly Bret Boone and Al Leiter so far - I still think Bobby Valentine leaving Leiter in against the yankees in the world series was the worst piece of manageing I've ever seen, even worse that Grady Little leaving Pedro in, and as a red sox fan that's saying something.

Had a nice little 'comunity of Uk baseball fans' moment. I was running a half marathon a couple of weeks back, wearing my red sox running cap. Walking up to the start I heard a new england accent shout 'go sox'; he waved, I waved back. He shouted Go sox when he passed me, I shouted Go sox when I passed him (on my way to a 1:47 personal best)

Then last sunday I was on a training run, down on the south bank of the thames, listening to the dead on my ipod, when there was a tap on my shoulder and a shout of Go Sox, and there he was. his names Sean and we chatted baseball for a mile or so before our routes diverged.

Kinda fun

Oh the reason I'm doing all this running is because I'm training for the London Marathon on the 23rd April. Running for the Alzheimer's society, a great cause, and if any batlings wanted to sponsor me that would be lovely. Click my name for the site :-)

peace and joy

D

PS, I'm the one on the left, though both hair and beard are a lot shorter now

rumour has it, rch/ndtf, nick and I may try to stop by that CPF signing in coon rapids on Saturday.

as for opening day, I'm up for it, but I have no suggestions.

BG,

While in Coon Town, I recommend that CPF take a trip next door to Funoka to visit Serum's on Jackson St. (You may recall Gary Serum was a Twins pitcher 1977-79) or Billy's, right across the street.

It doesn't get much better in the northern burbs!

The Field House in Crystal is a nice place to catch a game. KFAN even does a broadcast there from time to time. The place is large with mutliple projection TV's.

I'll be at the game, otherwise I'd show up and rock with you, BG.

I'll be using the first of my shiny new Flex 40 vouchers. Anyone else going to be in the upper club that fine evening? I promise not to be too much of a blubbery mess when they unveil the "34" in center field.

neil, i assumed BG was talking season opener, as opposed to home opener, BG care to clarify? Cause if it's home opener, I'll be at the game.

Dear Ms. Ra and Mr. Neil,

Indeed. Season opener. Opening Day. BG, Goober, Sooz, and the BatBaby will be at the home opener as well.

Sincerely,
BG

It's a shame we can't hit up the Bulldog again for Opening Day. I loved those stuffed burgers! The place did kind of have an aura of bad luck, though.

At the moment, I can't think of anywhere else to hold the Opening Day Batarama, but I sure hope it stays in Minneapolis and close to a bus route.

I'll be at the home opener, of course. (Maybe Batlings should meet up before the game on the plaza or something?)

Would be up for getting together for the season opener, I don't really have a suggested location though. Various Champps sometimes have decent TVs and are certainly big enough, but how crowded/noisy they are varies greatly.

The Field House sounds like a possibility.

I recommend The Park Tavern in SLP.

http://twincities.citysearch.com/profile/5601681/

Even though I ordered a bourbon up once there and the bartender tried to give me Jack Daniels.

Perhaps the relatively recently reopened Library in Dinkytown? Lots of space, lots of TV screens.... The fact that I live a block away from it has absolutely nothing to do with it :)

Hey, the Library sounds good too. The fact that I can easily walk there from work has nothing to do with it.

To Dan in London –

I much prefer the picture of BG’s CPF at this site:

http://www.childrensliteraturenetwork.org/events/bookstor.html

Her CPF is quite pretty.

The Library does sound like a good idea! I bet it'd have space for the Batcrew.

Kurtis: "Even though I ordered a bourbon up once there and the bartender tried to give me Jack Daniels."

Jumpin' Jehosephat! Yet you still recommend the place?

Roscoe - Sadly, the stuffed burgers at the Bulldog are no more. Sure, they still have burgers, but they're not stuffed. "Disappointed" doesn't begin to describe what I felt when I realized that.

jmj: Jumpin' Jehosephat! Yet you still recommend the place?

I know, I know. Mostly because it's big and centrally located. But I hope Mr. "Believe me it's bourbon" isn't tending bar there, or anywhere, anymore. Now I'm backing The Library. I had a good meal there not so long ago.

Hey, I see from Ranger Fan's link that Blue Balliett is coming to the Red Balloon on April 4. I like her, but there's no way I miss opening day. Maybe I'll drop by that weekend though....

Big City Tavern in Roseville, the sports bar formerly known as KFAN the Restaurant is big and centrally located on Snelling & Co.Rd C near Rosedale for both cities. Jumbotron screen and multiple smaller screens. No personal investment in the option.
Can't. Wait. For. Baseball.

There's no parking in dinkytown. I'm not a fan of the Library...

Which day of the week is the opener? I ask because there's about a 55% chance the (small "l") library across the street is closed and therefore holds about a half dozen free parking spots.

it's a tuesday, but 6 spots for how many people would go?

Angela surprised me with the Baseball in Minnesota book today! I'm finishing up with a big project and will once again be able to read for pleasure without feeling guilty.

I hear you, Skorch. No more stuffed burgers? That's just unAmerican.

I second the Big City Tavern in Roseville.

Oh, and it has a website.
http://www.bigcitytavern.biz/

I'll put my vote behind BCT in Roseville, especially if it helps bring closure to this discussion and results in an official Batling Event.

We called and arranged to have a big table set aside once this year for a gathering of Gopher hoops fans at Big City...(may the Twins season hold nothing like what I've just endured...)