The Wandering Disciple

So many dreams are made or broken in Minor League Baseball. Hundreds of players each year sign a professional contract to start their journey to the majors. The hometown fields are where you can see the stars of tomorrow learn the ins and outs of professional baseball. Here is Chicago Cubs infielder David Bote as he was playing for the Tennessee Smokies in 2017. Bote was drafted by the Cubs in 2012, spent six years in the minors before making his major league debut in 2018. (Photo: June 14, 2017)

Kodak, Tennessee: The Tennessee Smokies struggled to contain the poweful offense of the division leading Chattanooga Lookouts as they dropped the series opener 8-1 on Wednesday night at Smokies Stadium. The Lookouts used three long balls to help them win the opener. After a scoreless first inning, the Lookouts took command of the game in the second inning. A solo home run by TJ White and a three run homer by Nick Gordon gave them a 4-0 lead. The Smokies scored their lone run of the night in the sixth inning. Charcer Burks singled to center and then moved to third following a double by Andrew Ely. Burks then scored on a ground ball by David Bote to make it 4-1. The Lookouts struck again in the seventh. The loaded the bases following three straight singles by Gordon, Edgar Corcino and LaMonte Wade. Gordon scored on a single by Jonathan Rodriguez. After Corcino was thrown out at home, Wade scored on a sac fly by Dan Gamache to make it 6-1. Chattanooga scored two more runs ...

Sarasota, Florida: The Montgomery Biscuits loaded the bus along with Triple-A Durham and headed north to Sarasota for the final spring training exhibition game of 2011. The Biscuits faced the Bowie Bay Sox in the final dress rehearsal for the regular season. With the players just a few days from heading north to their regular season homes, the teams are looking more and more opening day ready. The Biscuits and Bay Sox played a nine inning game in which no official score or stats were recorded. The focus of purpose of the minor league spring training games are to get players the needed reps to get ready for the season. Click on the photo above to view the Biscuits/Bay Sox photo gallery.