Suggested Soundtrack: “I Never Needed You Like This Before,” Trey Anastasio & The Roots Band, August 12, 2020
Hello, my friends, my friends. I intended to write more frequently than I actually have — at least once more than this since, uh, OPENING DAY — but life is busy and, rest assured, I’ve been cramming a lot of music into my ear holes and a LOT of baseball into my eyeballs and I’ve got a few things going on that are pretty fun.
But there’s more afoot including Phish hitting the road in about 6 weeks on a tour that’s reconfigured a bit from their planned 2020 jaunt and there’s REAL LIVE BASEBALL with REAL LIVE FANS. And, reader, I don’t have to tell you I’ve been one of them. I’ve made it to about a half-dozen Cleveland Baseball Team games plus a handful of MiLB games in the area with plans for many, many more.
The pandemic continues but if you feel safe and you’re vaccinated — please get vaccinated if your health allows so we can keep enjoying Phish and baseball in person! — get out to your local ballpark.
In fact, getting out is exactly what I want to get to. Last year, damn near 18 months ago, I plotted the ultimate Phish/Baseball road trip across America. Or, as I call it, my dream vacation. Then the pandemic hit, MLB was shuffled, MiLB and tour was canceled and it all really sucked. But 2021 is — so far — going much smoother in terms of live events so why not give it another go?
For the record, while I wish I could do this entire tour, sadly I cannot for a number of reasons not least of which is the cash it would take. What I WILL be doing is stopping through Cincinnati to see the Reds play a game before heading to Indianapolis for Phish’s weekend at Deer Creek. That’s as close to anything like this itinerary as I’m going to get. So is this a pipe dream? Sure. Is it still fun to write 2,000 words about it? Yes. For the 3 of you still reading (I see you, ChuckerB!), enjoy what could be.
The Southern Swing
TUESDAY, JULY 27: BASEBALL
Fly into the Northwest Arkansas National Airport near Fayetteville a day ahead of Phish’s first-ever show in the state and head to Springdale to see the Kansas City Royals’ AA affiliate Northwest Arkansas Naturals host the Wichita Wind Surge (Twins). It’s the South in late July so be sure to hydrate with plenty of beer and a Gatorade before bed.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 28: PHISH
Okay, so there are apparently plenty of things to do in the Rogers, Arkansas area but if it’s me, I’m staying in my cold, dark hotel room all day and resting for the weeks ahead, not to mention that very night. It’s the band’s first show in Arkansas and their return to the stage after the long layoff as well as the beginning of Phish 4.0 (Hey, Trey said so). It’s going to be a catharsis to behold and it’s not going to be cheap so get your drinking done in The Lot, not in the venue.
THURSDAY, JULY 29: BASEBALL
It’s about 8.5 hours from NW Arkansas to Birmingham, AL, the band’s next stop. But Memphis is just a 5-hour drive and a good halfway point. Now, you could swing by Graceland but this is not Phish & Baseball & Elvis. No, instead, get thee to the Memphis Redbirds (AAA, Cardinals) vs Gwinett Stripers (AAA, Braves) matchup. It’s a much cheaper ticket than Graceland.
FRIDAY, JULY 30: PHISH
Ease yourself into the day and then hit the road for the 3.5 hour drive to Birmingham where Phish will set up shop for the first time since 2014. Oak Mountain is a great venue but parking is a pain in the ass so get there early. I was at the band’s show there in 1999 and it’s an underrated treasure. The band’s Alabama appearances are extremely rare — this is their 11th overall — so tickets, again, are in high demand. But that’s also the case for every show this tour.
SATURDAY, JULY 31: PHISH
It’s a short 2-hour drive from Birmingham to Atlanta so take it easy in making your way to the first Georgia show since 2018. It’s early in the tour and the South is a furnace of Hellfire this time of year so rest and hydrate. Phish always delivers in Atlanta so enjoy night 1 of 2 from the lawn.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 1: BASEBALL & PHISH
The Braves host the Brewers with a 1pm first pitch and it’s Hank Aaron Weekend. You can’t miss honoring one of the best (if not THE greatest) players of all time so get a seat in the shade or just get a cheap ticket and find a cooler spot to hang and alternate beer and water. Then, head back out to Alpharetta for Night 2 of Phish. It’s allegedly a 25-minute drive between Truist Park and the venue but it also takes you onto I-285 and if you know anything about Atlanta traffic, give yourself roughly 2 hours to make the 19-mile trip. That will still get you there in time to meet your lot pals and get inside!
MONDAY, AUGUST 2: DAY OFF
A quirk of the MiLB schedule this year (or it could be intentional!) is that most teams are off Mondays which leaves a bevy of nearby teams — the Chattanooga Lookouts, the Rocket City Trash Pandas, any team in North Georgia — with an off day today. Likewise, the Braves are off. Best path forward? Drive to Nashville and just enjoy the city. Drive through Chattanooga and scope out Lookout Mountain or, if you’re feeling frisky, go a different route through Huntsville, AL and stop by the Space and Rocket Center for a few hours.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 3 & WEDNESDAY AUGUST 4: PHISH
The Nashville Sounds are in town but their games conflict with the shows in the evening. That’s fine because Nashville is a great city to visit and enjoy leisurely before this double dose of Phish. Besides, you’ll get your chance to see the Sounds…
THURSDAY, AUGUST 5: BASEBALL
Make a week of it in Music City. You’ve had an easy few days and the drive to Indy for the next shows isn’t too bad: 5 hours straight up I-65. So head over and watch the two long-tenured teams in the Sounds and Toledo MudHens face off.
The Midwest Swing
FRIDAY, AUGUST 6 - SUNDAY, AUGUST 8: PHISH
3 nights of Phish at Deer Creek is going to be stellar. That makes up for the fact there’s really no baseball option: The AAA Indianapolis Indians (Pirates) are out of town as are the Fort Wayne TinCaps, (A, Padres) about 2 hours up the road. The South Bend Cubs (A, Cubs) and Reds are both at home with Sunday afternoon games but either game means a 5-hour roundtrip drive and cutting it close getting back for the show. Conserve that energy, stay put, hydrate.
MONDAY, AUGUST 9: BASEBALL (WITH A SIDE OF PHISHTORY)
So hear me out. It’s 8.5 hours from Indy to Hershey, PA, the site of the band’s midweek shows, if you shoot straight across Ohio and Pennsylvania. And you pass through 3 baseball cities — Dayton, Columburs, and Pittsburgh — who all have teams with off-days today.
Instead, why not drive 5 hours up to Cleveland to hit up the Cleveland Baseball Team vs Reds Battle for Ohio game? Both teams were scheduled to be off but an early May rainout blesses you with a game today. PLUS! You can take a pre-game stroll down 9th street to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in downtown Cleveland to see Phish’s famous giant Hot Dog they rode to fame on multiple times. Boom. Win-win.
The East Coast Swing
TUESDAY, AUGUST 10: PHISH
Yes, Hershey, PA is far enough east that you are now EAST COAST and no longer MIDWEST. Your side trip to Cleveland added around 2 hours total to your drive to Hershey but it’s split across two days. A 5-hour cruise gets you to Hershey in time to grab some chocolate and hit the first of two shows in the city.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11: PHISH
Eat chocolate, watch Phish. Easy.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 12: BASEBALL
You’ve got 3 choices before making it to Atlantic City for the band’s East Coast Finale. Ranking them from worst to best:
Drive a bit out of your way to Reading (site of my favorite “Down With Disease”) to see the Fightin’ Phils (AA, Phillies) host the Akron Rubber Ducks (AA, CBT).
Stay put and step next door to Harrisburg to see the Senators (AA, Nationals) play the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA, Blue Jays) in a day game.
Head east in the morning and stop in Philly for the day and take in the Phillies versus Dodgers afternoon affair.
If it’s me, as much as I love Minor League Baseball, there’s no topping Phillies-Dodgers. That’ll be fun.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 13 - SUNDAY, AUGUST 15: PHISH (WITH A SIDE OF BASEBALL)
Phish on the beach in Atlantic City, right? What’s not to love? You’ve earned some beach beers and music over the last 2.5 weeks.
BUT! If you want to cram ONE MORE GAME into your schedule, you again have 3 viable options, all on Sunday. Again, here they are ranked worst to best:
Because the Toronto Blue Jays are still having to play their games in Buffalo thanks to Canada’s strict pandemic rules, their AAA team Buffalo is playing their home games in Trenton, NJ. Now, if Canada loosens up and allows the Jays back in, this game would be moved to Buffalo and then it’s off the board. But if the Bison are still around, you could drive up to Trenton for the Bisons’ game against Rochester (Nationals).
You could drive across the border to Wilmington Delaware where. the Blue Rocks (A, Nationals) are hosting the Brooklyn Cyclones (Mets). It’s a 90ish minute drive so you’ll have time for a bite to eat before the final show.
If you want more baseball but either want to stick closer to AC or just prefer MLB, the Phillies are still around a short drive/train ride away, hosting the Reds.
MONDAY, AUGUST 16 - WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25: REST
Return home. Feed the cat. See if you still have a job. Hydrate. Watch baseball.
The West Coast Swing
THURSDAY, AUGUST 26: BASEBALL
A short West Coast Tour begins tomorrow and, as we’ll see, baseball will be hard to squeeze in so get it where you can. The Mariners are home against the Royals tonight so take it all in before you venture off into the wilderness a few hours east.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 27 - SUNDAY, AUGUST 29: PHISH
With the Mariners game under your belt, just enjoy the beauty of camping at The Gorge for three nights. Fingers crossed for fire season, though.
MONDAY, AUGUST 30: TRAVEL (WITH A BASEBALL OPTION)
I’m not gonna lie: as much as I love baseball, it’s a 12.5-hour drive from The Gorge down to Stateline, NV for Phish’s shows at Lake Tahoe and that’s probably best split over two days of driving or a flight down from Seattle which will still consume most of your day. If you someone make it aaaaaalllll the way down Reno way by evening, though, the Aces (AAA, Diamondbacks) are hosting the Sacramento River Cats (Giants).
TUESDAY, AUGUST 31 & WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1: PHISH
Woo!
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2: (MAYBE) BASEBALL
If you’re driving from Tahoe to the band’s annual summer closer at DIIIIIIIIIIICK’S, godspeed for that 16+ hour drive. If you’re flying, though, and you’re lucky enough to get to Denver in the late afternoon, the Rockies open a weekend set with Atlanta that evening. Sit in the Mile High Purple Row, too (a baseball bucket list item for me). But, if you can’t make it in time, don’t sweat it because you’ll still have your chance.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5: PHISH & BASEBALL
Labor Day weekend traditionally marks the “end” of Summer and Phish tour with a trio of shows in the Denver area so see if you can get in both music and baseball this weekend. If you can’t make the Rockies game on September 2, they play Atlanta at 1:10pm on Sunday afternoon. And, given the short distance between the two venues involved, you’ll be good on time.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6: BASEBALL
What better way to close out this long, weird, wonderful stretch of your year than with a Rocky Mountain Vibes game? The Pioneer League team hosts the Grand Junction Rockies at 12:30pm. It’s 90 minutes from Denver so you’ve got a little time to shake off the cobwebs of the weekend Phish before heading down. The Vibes were technically contracted this past offseason; A former Rookie League affiliate of the Brewers, the Vibes were a victim of MLB’s contraction of MiLB teams. The (sorta) good news is that the Pioneer League lives on as a “partner” league of MLB even though there’s no direct affiliation.
Final Tally:
22 Phish shows
Up to 12 baseball games
Roughly 5,000 gallons of water
231 bottles of Gatorade
Who cares how many miles?
Encore: West Coast Playoff Phish???
Thanks to the pandemic, Phish shuffled more West Coast dates to later in the fall and a handful of those dates could align with some playoff baseball. The band will be in Sacramento on Friday, October 15 and San Francisco on Saturday, October 16 and Sunday, October 17, playing at the Chase Center, a ball’s throw away from the home of the San Francisco Giants who are currently tops in the NL West. These shows would likely happen at the same time as the NLCS but, of course, if the Giants are in them and even hosting a game at the time won’t be known till a few days before, probably. But the band knows a thing or two about playing shows at the same time as a Giants playoff run so…
A week later the band has a trio of SoCal shows (Chula Vista, Inglewood, Santa Barbara) that bring them close to three teams: the Los Angeles Dodgers, the San Diego Padres and the Los Angles California Angels of Anaheim USA. This would be around the close of the ALCS/NLCS and start of the World Series. The odds it could overlap with a late-postseason game involving either the Dodgers or Padres is good! As for the odds of it overlapping with an Angels postseason game - LOLOLOLOL no.
Happy planning!