To recognize a memorable day in franchise history, the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (Short Season A; Northwest League) have buried a time capsule that honors the eclipse game.
The total solar eclipse on August 21 proved to be a major draw at ballparks across the country, including Volcanoes Stadium. On that afternoon, 5,297 fans turned out for a game that featured the first document eclipse delay in baseball history.
A time capsule of the event was buried at on the concourse at Volcanoes Stadium during a ceremony on Thursday. There is not expected to be another a total solar eclipse in the area that includes the ballpark until June 25, 2169, but the Volcanoes plan to dig out the time capsule a bit earlier. It will first be unearthed on June 25 2069, and then be being buried again for another 100 years. More from the Statesman Journal:
“Some of the people here today can return on June 25, 2069. That’s only 52 years,” [Volcanoes co-owner Jerry] Walker said.
20-year old Lydia Busch of Keizer, who attended the time capsule burial with her parents, hasn’t marked the date yet on her calendar, but she’s not ruling it out.
“Possibly,” Busch said with a smile. “I really don’t know what I’m gonna be doing (in 52 years). I’m starting school next week.”
As noted, several teams in the minors staged games and promotions around the eclipse. The Volcanoes originally announced their plans for an eclipse game in August of 2016.
Image courtesy Salem-Keizer Volcanoes.
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