Baby Birds back in town: I visit the stadium and take a look at the dugout.

I picked up my very own press pass and, having forgotten a lanyard, bought one for ten bucks at the team store. So much for objectivity. But the only person I know from Midland, TX, is a former president, and I don’t think he attended Wednesday’s game at Hammons Field. Close to 4,000 fans were announced, though I suspect the rain sent a few people to the Dugout. Why not?

I went to the dugout, myself.

I don’t like to begin photographing summer night games on the first base side because the sun shines in my eyes. That makes it hard to pick up on other white orbs that also might make me dizzy. But the cloud cover meant I hopped over the railing and stood in the photo well right next to the Cardinals’ dugout from the start. If a ball came near I’d see it.

Possibly.

Kolten Wong was in town, rehabbing for a few days.

In the first inning Jacob Wilson of the Baby Birds hit the softest triple since 1839, a ball that curled like fly line and dropped into the grass. He didn’t advance.

But in the fourth, tied at one, catcher Andrew Knizner hit a home run that I didn’t track until a player said, “Hey, that’s still fair!” Knizner turned to the dugout with a smile and gave the Jordan shrug. My kingdom for a photo.

This will do.