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Spokane Indians players excited for opportunity to play at Safeco Field

Safeco Field was full for Friday night’s home opener. (Associated Press)
Safeco Field was full for Friday night’s home opener. (Associated Press)

In addition to playing in the Northwest League playoffs, the Spokane Indians are receiving another unique opportunity.

 

 

In lieu of playing Game 2 at Avista Stadium on Friday, the Indians and AquaSox are playing at Safeco Field in Seattle.

While the players in Texas’ organization dream more of playing at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas, players are excited for the opportunity to compete on a big-league field.

“It’s going to be awesome to see how the field plays out there,” Prescott said. “I’ve never played on a big league field before. … It’ll be fun.”

Coaches, general managers from each team, as well as league officials, decided on the time and locations after Wednesday’s game was rained out.

“The outfield [Wednesday] was treacherous,” pitching coach Joey Seaver said. “It was a good thing that we didn’t play. You look at the outfield prospects they have and you look at someone like Leody Taveras for us. If he goes down out down there and tears a knee up in that mess, that’s not good. You can’t play in that.”

“Everett’s field was pretty drenched,” Prescott added. “It rained a lot [Wednesday]. The outfield was just puddles.”

Even though players were disappointed the game got cancelled, players are fortunate for the opportunity to play at Safeco. The challenge for coaches will keeping the players focused while playing under the bright lights on a big league field.

“You just hope maybe they don’t get too enamored with the surroundings,” Seaver said.

Nonetheless, assistant coach Jared Goedert says the moment shouldn’t be too big for the players once they get on the field.

“I’m sure they’ll be excited, I’m sure they’ll be some nerves, which is completely understandable and natural” Goedert said. “But I think they’ll realize quickly that the bases are still 90 feet apart, the mound’s 60 feet, 6 inches away.

“If nothing else it will be a great experience for them. I think they’ll be excited to play in a place like that and hopefully kind of hone that energy into good baseball.”

First pitch at Safeco is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.

Game notes

Last night: Spokane dropped Game 1 to Everett after several defensive miscues. Story. 



Josh Horton
Josh Horton is a summer intern at The Spokesman-Review and is covering the Spokane Indians baseball team.





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