August 3, 2004 > Letter to Niles Residents

Dear Niles Residents
(reprinted with permission)

This is the summer I really fell for minor league baseball. For some reason the game is very different than the pros. Much smaller crowds, and lots and lots of kids. The Sacramento Rivercats have a stadium built in 2000, and roughly average 7,000 fans. The Fresno Grizzlies have a stadium that is 2 years old, and it has a swimming pool. Next year the Stockton Ports will
open a new stadium, and a home run will sail into the Delta! The Modesto Athletics have fireworks after every Friday and Saturday game. Closer to home, the San Jose Giants players smile a lot, and sign plenty of autographs for the kids. Every game I've been to, I've sat in the first row behind home plate for $8.00- $13.00. Children are sometimes half price. There are
plenty of races and contests for the kids between innings. For some reason the game is different, but in a charming way.

Enjoy the rest of your summer.

Best Wishes,

David D. Makki
Niles Elementary School