Opening of baseball season in Sugar Land brings nostalgia; especially with COVID-19 in mind

Story and video by James Larken Smith 

Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

SUGAR LAND, TEXAS (July 8, 2020) The game of baseball itself is especially nostalgic to those who follow it closely. We know the smells of the ballpark. Just ask Jennifer Sutter, a friend of  mine and Sugar Land Skeeters season ticket holder. She knows the smell of that grass, and even the dirt, at Constellation Field. Many times since 2012 her ad I have seen monumental comebacks. Like the one I saw back in 2013 that involved one of the managers you will see starting this Friday, as the Skeeters organization begins the four-team Constellation Energy League The league was created to fill the gap with the collapse of the Atlantic League’s ability to travel due to COVID-19. 

In 2013, Koby Clemens joined the roster of the Sugar Land Skeeters. We all remember him catching for his father Roger Clemens, the star former pitcher who played for Katy High School, The University of Texas, Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros, and the New York Yankees. The elder Clemens' final pitching appearances would be in Sugar Land pitching for the Skeeters, and putting Constellation Field in the headlines in its first season. In the second game of the now famous second appearance Roger made pitching for the Skeeters in 2012, his son Koby, would join him on the roster, and would be his catcher. Adding to the excitement, was in I believe the seventh or eighth inning, was watching Roger become overjoyed as his son, whom had gone hitless in the game, hit sharp over third base for what might have been the most joyous moment of the ballgame for those of us that knew the joy hood of being parents. 

When Team Texas takes to the field this coming weekend, and join the Skeeters, Lightning Sloths, Del Tigres, they will be managed by that former duo, Koby & Roger Clemens. And in case you are wondering, a few more Clemens kids just  happened to make the roster too. Infielders Kody & Kacy are part of the family business too. And maybe, just maybe, they can provide your family a nostalgic moment like Koby did for mine in 2013. 

I have two kids. In 2013, they were both attending The University of Texas in Austin. I had lived in Austin in high school, and attended most of my years at Westlake High School. So I was very proud when my kids chose UT as their college. During the summer break, the kids came  home to Sugar Land for a visit, and a no brainer was to go to a Skeeters game. We were seated on the third base side that year. I especially loved that the shark was there that game. Me, being a dad, a disaster movie fan, and it was the year that the “Sharknado” movies came out, and I insisted getting a pic with my kids with “the shark”. They grinned and bore it. Going into the eighth inning, the Skeeters were down several runs. The crowd was large, everyone was having fun. And then folks got on base. And then up stepped Koby. He was on a home run tare. If he wasn’t leading the league in home runs he was at least in the top three. But he was also well, striking out when he didn’t hit it out. Not uncommon for a power hitter. Some of the best pitchers of all time led in walks. Ask Nolan Ryan. Koby had some big cuts. My kids were having fun, and I was just enjoying them watch the game. You can guess what happens next. 

A dear friend who used to work at Constellation Field, Janice Frillman, put it like this. “The crowd is nervous with anticipation of what will happen next”. And the cool part, I caught that anticipation on video, and my kids reaction as Koby belted the ball over and out of the ball park! It was a true dad moment, just like Roger had with Koby, that Koby gave to me. My kids danced after, it was a joy. I still watch that video I have on “YouTube” often. It reminds me of that nostalgia that baseball brings to us. 

We don’t know how many parents have been robbed of moments similar to what Roger had, and what I had because of COVID-19. It’s time to bring back nostalgic moments to our lives. Be a part of the Constellation Energy League beginning this Friday night at Constellation Field in Sugar Land. The Skeeters are following extensive COVID-19 cleaning and other recommendations that you can find on their website at www.sugarlandskeeters.com and their Facebook page. Mask are currently required when entering the stadium and in public areas, and public distancing is in effect. You are allowed to remove mask when you get to your seat. Capacity is also being restricted. See their website & Facebook page for current details.