Keep It Simple

A perfectly conventional view of the action at the Kane County Cougars,
on the last day of the 2013 season

When we started this deathmarch (no, I love it, I do!), we were really enamored with the idea that you could see so many minor-league teams in relatively short order, given how compact the clusters of teams are in some places. The holy grail was to somehow see two games in different cities on the same day—a matinee in one place and a night game in the next. So, naturally, we soon embarked on huge trips to far-flung locations, such as all the teams in Texas, the cross-country odyssey of 2009, and the Lightning Field wanderjahr.

In 2014, we're getting back to basics. There will be some adjustments, no doubt, but here's what we're contemplating right now—a lot of short drives, and a lot of two-city doubleheaders.

April 13–21

• Gwinnett County Braves / Atlanta Braves
• Rome Braves
• Augusta Green Jackets
• Hickory Crawdads / Charlotte Knights
• Myrtle Beach Pelicans / Charleston RiverDogs
• Savannah Sand Gnats
• Jacksonville Suns
• Daytona Cubs

July 1213–16, 20–23

• Wilmington Blue Rocks
• Frederick Keys / Baltimore Orioles / Aberdeen Ironbirds
• Bowie BaySox / Frederick Keys Aberdeen Ironbirds
• Hagerstown Suns
• Eastern League All-Star Game (Altoona)
• Reading Fightin' Phils / Wilmington Blue Rocks
• Philadelphia Phillies

If you can believe it, we've seen roughly two thirds of all the minor-league teams now, and the first trip will knock off a number more. (Rob has seen all the teams on the second trip, but he's kindly allowing me to catch up.)

Onward, Byways soldiers!