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Prasco Park partnership key for baseball community
Mitchell McMillen | The Chronicle
For Mason baseball and other local teams,
a field of dreams is just down the street at
Prasco Park.
This year, Prasco hosted two Mason
baseball games, the annual Mason vs Kings
game on April 13 and a matchup with the
Moller Crusaders on April 20.
The Mason-Kings game has become
a staple of both communities, with its
proximity to both schools, professional
facilities and space for additional spectators.
For the first time in its partnership with
Prasco Park, Comet fans were treated
to high-profile games on consecutive
weekends at the venue. Mason won this
year’s matchup 6-2.
The Comets and Crusaders battled in a
top-two matchup in the state with nearly
5,000 fans in attendance. The Comets
jumped to a 3-0 in the first two innings but
eventually fell short 7-5 in 10 innings.
The back and forths, lead changes, and
playoff implications of the game were
amplified by the playing experience of
Prasco Park. The emotions felt by the
players and fans aligned with Prasco’s
reputation for bringing an electric
atmosphere.
Senior Mark Rutherford noticed the high-
energy atmosphere during the Moeller
game. Even with the added pressure of
playing at a stadium like Prasco, Rutherford
felt the team was focused on winning. He
said the team couldn’t capitalize on the
opportunities late in the game but hopes to
play Moeller in the playoffs on another big
stage.
“[The game had] really high energy,”
Rutherford said. “Everyone was locked in
on how we were getting the next three
outs. As we got later [in the game], we
were just fighting for a run. We had many
opportunities, but couldn’t get that one.”
Senior Bryce Brannon earned a win against Kings with nine strikeouts in five innings pitched.
Prasco Park hosted its first game on June
19, 2008. It was built to serve as the home
field for the Cincinnati Spikes, an amateur
baseball team, and for local collegiate
teams.
Prasco is home to many major events
including the face-off between the Comets
and the Crusaders and the annual Mason
vs Kings game. On May 8, Prasco hosted
the NCAA Division II Great Midwest
Conference Showdown and will host the
Big East Championship on May 22 for the
sixth year. Prasco has also served as a venue
for Major League Baseball, hosting the
Cincinnati Reds spring training practices in
2020.
Prasco’s ability to host major events
stems from its state-of-the-art facilities.
The field boasts a surface similar to a
major league field, two high-definition
video boards, a press box, and seating for
approximately 1200 spectators.
Mason celebrates its 6-2 win over Kings with the annual trophy given to the winning team.
Photo by Lily Haller
Senior Michael Bilo said playing at
Prasco adds a new dimension to the
typical gameday experience. He said the
opportunity to play there is something he
hopes to not take for granted.
“The experience is just different playing
on a professionally graded field,” Bilo said.
“[I was] taking it in because you only get
that opportunity in life once or twice.”
Playing on a field like Prasco can be an
opportunity of a lifetime for players. During
the Mason vs. Kings game, the teams invite
youth players to join them pregame, giving
athletes the opportunity to honor and
inspire the next generation of Comets.
Rutherford said he felt an extra layer of
nerves when playing at Prasco, especially
during the Moeller game. He appreciates
the competitive and fan-filled environment
that encourages him to play loose and
enjoy the moment.
Photo by Lily Haller
Mason’s dugout celebrates an extra-base hit in their game against Moeller at Prasco Park.
May 10, 2024
“For Moeller, I felt a little jittery, a little
nervous going into it,” Rutherford said.
“Then after you get the first inning and first
at-bat out of the way you can just play. But
it’s fun sitting there, looking around, and
seeing everyone yelling at you or for you.”
Prasco is also home to many family-
friendly activities. Prasco hosts special
“theme nights” during Spikes games that
can draw crowds of thousands. The next
scheduled theme night is July 6 called the
“Carniball Night.”
The mix of family-friendly activities
and a thrilling atmosphere for watching
baseball is what many believe in the Mason
community as to why Prasco is such a
special place. Families are also very enticed
by the free admission and free food that
Prasco offers.
Prasco is not only special to the Mason
community as a whole, but it is distinctly
significant to Mason baseball. Having a
field like Prasco right in your backyard to
play big games in is not something most
programs can boast.
Rutherford moved to Mason as a
freshman, so he did not grow up attending
summer games at Prasco Park like many
of his teammates. However, Rutherford
said the game has a special connection
to the players and is a tradition the team
cherishes.
“Michael Murphy (Class of 2023) told me
how special [Prasco] was for him because as
a kid he would go there and watch people
play,” Rutherford said. “After every game,
he’d go to the train tracks behind the place
and pick up foul balls. I didn’t experience
that but for him and homegrown players,
[Prasco is] even more special.”
Photo by Lily Haller