GRAND PRAIRIE -- With the North Texas summer temperatures rising to the neighborhood of 105 degrees and the Olympics being broadcast on every NBC network imaginable, we found ourselves at Quick Trip Park in Grand Prairie to watch the defending American Association champion Grand Prairie AirHogs host the Laredo Lemurs. QT Park is located in the Grand Prairie entertainment district between Lone Star Park and Verizon Theatre.
The first order of business was checking out the impressive grounds of QT Park that include the Third Base Party Deck designed for private functions during the game, the sports bar and grill that sits above the left field wall and the swimming pool overlooking the right field wall that can accommodate up to 100 people. The Wide World of Parks features a putting green, basketball court, climbing rock and other options for kids at the game. I was partial to the Coors Light Officer's Club on the suites level that had us watching the action in the air-conditioned area above the third base line.
While we were wandering around the ballpark, we discovered the AirHogs had a petition for fans to sign that would bring baseball and softball back for the 2020 Summer Olympics. This year's Olympics mark the first time since 1984 that baseball is not an Olympic sport. To sign the Olympic petition, visit here.
“Baseball is more than America’s pastime, it is played competitively around the globe,” said Scott Berry, president of the Grand Prairie AirHogs. “And, for baseball to not be included in either the 2012 or 2016 Olympics is very upsetting to families and fans across North Texas."
And yes, there was an actual baseball game on this evening. In spite of two home runs by Grand Prairie, the visiting Lemurs held on to defeat the first-place AirHogs 6-5.
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