Great Lakes Loons plug their way through early season

One of the interesting things that I find in covering the Great Lakes Loons early in the season can be the extreme temperatures swings that occur from day to day at Dow Diamond.  We already have had the first 3 games of the year postponed due to extreme cold in the ground making the field unplayable.  Now here in mid-April attending two games a week apart from a range in temperature of almost 40 degrees.   One day it is sunny and hitting 70 degrees out and then a week later it is barely in the mid 30's and windy. 

On April 17th the Loons would defeat the in state rival Lansing Lugnuts 5-4 during a sunny day game with a decent crowd at the Dow.  Then a week later the Loons would play the Detroit Tigers affiliate West Michigan in front of a very cold small crowd at the Dow.  In talking to Great Lakes executives the announced attendance includes all tickets sold for that game even thought they might not attend the game.    The Loons lost to West Michigan 2 - 1 in 11 innings that cold April 23rd afternoon.  

One of the reasons for the game on the 23rd was to see the 2014 1st round draft pick for the Los Angeles Dodgers in action.   Grant Holmes the 6'1" right handed pitcher would be at home pitching on this cold windy day.   Holmes would pitch 3 2/3 innings that day and would impress this writer with his pitches in the 91-95 mph range for those 3 + innings.   This 19 year old showed good mound presence and didn't allow a run.   He came out of the game in the 4th inning because of a pitch count imposed on this day.   I can see some good signs in this young pitcher who the Dodgers have invested a great deal of money with.   One would be quick to draw comparisons with another former 1st round draft pick now pitching for the Dodgers in Clayton Kershaw who got his start here at Dow Diamond.    Enjoy some of the photos from both games.