Dayton's My Kind of Town

Kevin Czerwinski is in Dayton, Ohio, home of the Dayton Dragons (Class A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds) for Opening Day 2006 and pinch-hitting for He Said, She Said.

Well, it’s a cold, gray, rainy evening and first pitch is 15 minutes away here in Dayton, so I figured what better time to file my first blog of the season. My primary reason for being in southwest Ohio is actually still in Arizona, rehabbing his injured shoulder. Justin Upton, the top pick in last season’s draft, was supposed to be starting the season with South Bend and was scheduled to make his debut Thursday night against the Dragons at Fifth Third Field. But the Diamondbacks announced earlier this week that his debut would be delayed two weeks as he recovers.

The consummate reporter, I decided Justin Upton be damned, I’m going to Dayton anyway. [The plane ticket was already paid for, making that bold decision even easier.] Beside, there are plenty of other great things to cover in Dayton, not the least of which is B.J. Szymanski. I’ve been wanting to write about him since the day he was drafted for one simple reason – he shares the same last name as my grandparents, Zigmund and Martha Szymanski. While B.J. and I aren’t related, I can’t help but get a kick out of sharing something with him.

This is also my first trip to Dayton and I am very impressed with the ballpark. I’ve heard so much about this place and everything I was told or have read turns out to be true. This is a beautiful park that can easily serve as High-A or Double-A facility. Heck, throw another deck or add some seats in center field and let’s bring Triple-A baseball to Dayton.

As for the city itself, walking around this afternoon I was reminded of Chattanooga, where, coincidentally, Cincinnati’s Double-A team plays. BellSouth Park is not too far from the river walk on the Chattanooga River while Fifth Third Field is a stone’s throw from the park and walking path that runs along the convergence of the Great Miami, Stillwater and Mad Rivers.

Well, the game is about to start and I’m anxious to watch Travis Wood pitch, so I’ll sign off. Trust me, these blogs will get better. [They can’t get much worse, can they?] I’ll be in Dayton for one more day than it’s on to Fort Wayne and Toledo. Catch you soon. -- Kevin C.