All-Star Game Brings Huge Crowd, Good Times to Avon

It was rave reviews all around at for the Frontier League All-Star Game.

The host East team prevailed, 4-2, but the score was secondary to being able to experience a slice of Americana on a crisp Wednesday night that ended with a full moon on one side of the ballpark and a fireworks spectacular on the other.

A crowd of 5,237 fans -- a new record for All Pro Freight Stadium -- showed up, and everyone from league commissioner Bill Lee, to players like game MVP Erik Lis, to general manager Dan Helm of the host , put their best foot forward. 

"Every player who came here had a great time," said Lis, who had a two-run triple in the first inning and later singled to help the East win. "It's a great ballpark, great fans, and we were treated so well all week. It was just an awesome experience."

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Helm, in his first year as Crushers GM, said months of hard work were worth it.

"I'd love to do it again," said Helm, who thought for a second and then added: "Maybe in a year of two." 

The work involved in putting together such a spectacle was considerable. It included much more than the game, but also the previous night's home run derby and other activities. 

"You look around the park and every seat is filled," Helm proudly said. "That's a tribute to our staff, from the owner on down to the interns. 

"It also shows how the people in this community love their baseball. This is our third season and people that have been here still love us. People who have not been here are finding out about us and joining the fun." 

Helm said he was particularly proud to show off Avon to executives from each of the other 11 clubs in the league. 

"We showed off Avon and Lorain County and got a lot of positive feedback," Helm said. "We showed off the stadium. And for the game, we were absolutely blessed with perfect weather." 

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