Gameday Magazine August

Life on the road

While fans enjoy all that City Stadium has to offer throughout the season, there is a totally separate aspect of the Hillcats season: 70 road games. There are many moving parts that go into getting ready for a road trip. A bus itinerary has to be constructed, hotel reservations must be made, and per diem money must be ordered. Lynchburg makes their way throughout the Carolina League during the sum- mer, visiting Virginia, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina and Maryland. The Hillcats shortest overnight trip is to Winston-Salem to visit the Dash, roughly a 2.5 hour trip. The longest trip is to see the Pelicans in Myrtle Beach, requiring a six hour bus ride. Here is a typical day for the Hillcats on the road: Depending on Lynchburg’s road op- ponent, the bus departs City Stadium anywhere from 7:30-9 a.m. the morn- ing of the first game. However, there is one exception. When the Hillcats play the Salem Red Sox, the team commutes back-and-forth due to the team’s close proximity to Haley Toyota Field. In this case, the bus usually leaves around 12:30 or 1 p.m, and will continue to make the 90-minute drive throughout the duration of the series. Almost everyone bring a pillow or blanket to try and get as much rest as possible. The bus is equipped with satellite TV and WiFi for those that choose to use it. If the trip is shorter than five hours, the bus typically makes the drive straight through to the destination. If not, the Hillcats bus driver of the past two years, Ray, will pull over at a rest stop or gas station for a 10-minute break. Upon arrival, the bus will usually stop at a mall for lunch. After getting a bite to eat, the bus will either take the club straight to the ballpark, or, if time allows, check into the hotel.

On non-travel days on the road, the bus will usually take everyone to the gym for a workout around 10 a.m. Some cities have quality lunch options within walking distance of the hotel. If not, the bus will once again make a stop at the mall for lunch. From there, everyone goes back to the hotel, with a bus to the field shortly thereafter. For a 7 p.m. game, the bus will make one trip to the ballpark at 2 p.m. and another at 3 p.m. After the game, the bus often takes two different trips back to the hotel. Most players will depart the ballpark about 45 minutes after the game ends, while the coaching and training staff takes the second journey around 90 minutes post-game. Lynchburg’s longest road trip of the season was a two-city, nine-game stretch in Wilmington and Frederick from June 25-July 3. The Hillcats travel with their entire roster and coaching staff, as well as the Athletic Trainer, Strength & Con- ditioning Coordinator, and the Radio Broadcaster. Life on the road typically allows the Hillcats players to get more rest than they receive at home. They arrive at the ballpark later, and oftentimes get some extra well-needed sleep. While long bus trips are not always glamor- ous, it is just another part of life in the Minor Leagues. Everybody on the bus hopes to one day trade their bus ride for a charter jet with five-star hotels and amenities.