7 hit homers to the tunes of Cash at Ogden Raptors FanFest
Kole Story, 14, of Riverdale, prepares to bat during the home-run derby at The Ogden Raptors' 2nd annual FanFest on Thursday, June 14, 2018, at the Lindquist Field in Ogden.
Kole Story, 14, of Riverdale, prepares to bat during the home-run derby at The Ogden Raptors' 2nd annual FanFest on Thursday, June 14, 2018, at the Lindquist Field in Ogden.
Quinton Kendall, 12, gives Oggie the raptor a high five alongside his sister, Azia Kendall, 11, and brother Max Kendall, 9, during the Ogden Raptors' 2nd annual FanFest on Thursday, June 14, 2018, at the Lindquist Field in Ogden.
Riley Schlegel, 5, of Ogden, cheers while watching Raptors players hit balls during the 2nd annual FanFest on Thursday, June 14, 2018, at the Lindquist Field in Ogden.
OGDEN — Johnny Cash provided the soundtrack to the 2018 Ogden Raptors FanFest on Thursday, the team’s second-annual preseason open house.
So it wasn’t quite Johnny Cash, but thanks to Underground Cash and its singer Tim Smith, the Folsom Prison Blues turned a Dodger shade as the vocal dead-ringer warbled the words of the ubiquitous country legend at Lindquist Field.
The Ogden-based band, backed by Cameron Goldsberry, Jesse Hodshire and Nathan Chappell, had just finished playing about the stripes around their shoulders as Raptors players wrapped up batting practice, which was open to the public during the event’s first hour.
Fans dotted the seats and, mostly, lined the concession stands trying to get a bite before the fan home run derby.
The Cash copycats cranked out “Ring of Fire” by request as fans took the field for the home run derby which, despite a much lower hitter turnout, proved to be more successful for the hopefuls taking swings for season tickets.
Compared to four hitters of 52 to hit a home run in 2017, seven of 13 went yard Thursday (four paid to hit another round of 10 balls) to win tickets.
Kole Story, 14, of Riverdale, became the youngest fan in either year to hit a dinger. He plays year-round travel ball and attends Highmark charter school in South Weber.
Brothers Lantzen Toomer of North Ogden and Lydon Toomer of South Weber each lifted balls over the fence. Jordon Cissna of Harrisville was the lone second-chancer to redeem himself by hitting it out.
Breck Snyder of Syracuse returned to again win season tickets, as he did last year. Antonio Robles of Ogden was a winner as well.
None were as impressive as Matt Ellis of Brigham City, however. Cissna and Snyder each hit two out, but Ellis — a social worker and recent transplant from Las Vegas — smacked a pair of dingers as the only participant to hit with a wood bat. He said he’d enjoy his summer at the ballpark with his 2-year-old son.
Several hundred fans mingled around the park, including for a meet-and-greet with players during the home-run derby.
The Raptors open their 25th season of baseball Friday, June 15, with a four-game series in Idaho Falls, returning home Tuesday, June 19, for their home opener.
Contact Brett Hein at bhein@standard.net, follow him on Twitter @bhein3 and at facebook.com/brettheinwrites.