5 SERIES PREVIEW FIELDS MAKES DIFFERENCE ON AND OFF THE FIELD
BY THE NUMBER
The RiverDogs are back at home this week for a six-game series with the Salem Red Sox. This is the second and final meeting between the teams this season and the first at The Joe. The RiverDogs went to Salem back in April and took five out of six games from the Red Sox. Salem, an affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, is coming into this series with a 28-23 record. They currently sit a half-game out of first place in the Carolina League North Division and are riding a six-game winning streak after sweeping Columbia. Manager Luke Montz returns for his second year in the Blue Ridge Mountains, after leading the Red Sox to a 71-49 record in 2021. Montz has been a coach in the Red Sox organization since 2018. Prior to his managerial career, he was selected by the then-Montreal Expos in the 2003 MLB Draft and spent 12 years playing in five different organizations. The Red Sox come into this series hitting .247 as a team, which is fourth in the Carolina League and ninth in all of Single-A baseball. They lead Single-A baseball in doubles with 108. Offensively, they are led by Niko Kavadas, who has a .255 average and is leading the team in home runs with six and is tied for the team lead in RBI with 27. On the mound, the Sox have struggled this season. Coming into this series, they have a team ERA of 4.98, which is third-highest in the Carolina League and fifth -highest in all of Single-A baseball. Among the staff, Angel Bastardo has been the most consistent pitcher. He is 1-0 with a 2.56 ERA in eight starts this season. The RiverDogs begin their first of two homestands during the month of June this week. After splitting a six-game series last week with the Down East Wood Ducks, they come into this set with a 34-17 record and sit just two games behind Myrtle Beach for the top spot in the Carolina League South Division. Defensively, the RiverDogs .970 fielding percentage is the best in the Carolina League. Offensively, they are second in the Carolina League with a .255 batting average and lead all of minor league baseball with 113 steals. They are led at the plate by outfielder Mason Auer, who has a .314 batting average and is 18 of 20 in the stolen base department. On the mound, the RiverDogs have a 3.50 ERA. They are led by Austin Vernon, who is 6-0 with a 1.47 ERA and was named Carolina League Pitcher of the Month for the month of May, giving up only one earned run in five appearances.
Tuesday, June 7, 7:05 p.m.: Dog Day presented by Twisted Tea: We hope to see you and your dog at the game on this night! The RiverDogs invite you to bring your pup to The Joe for each Tuesday home game this season. This week we will highlight French bulldogs! In addition, enjoy $2 hot dogs and beer as Twisted Tea adds a new twist to Tuesdays this season with goofy on-field games and fan-oriented fun throughout the game. Tuesday games are presented by 96.9 The Wolf.
Wednesday, June 8, 7:05 p.m.: CCSD Educator Night/Wicked Wednesday presented by Wicked Weed: During this midweek contest, the RiverDogs will celebrate local teachers who were nominated for Charleston County School District Teacher of the Year. Also, make sure to keep an eye out every Wednesday for a new wicked ticket deal. This week, buy one Upper Reserved ticket and get another for free with the code: WD0608.
Thursday, June 9, 7:05 p.m.: Thirsty Thursday presented by Budweiser: There is a reason that Thursday nights at The Joe provide one of the best atmospheres in Minor League Baseball. As always, $1 beers are available throughout the ballpark all night long. $4 well cocktails will also be available during “happy hour” from 6:00-8:00 p.m. A lucky fan will leave with a pair of High Tide Festival VIP tickets valued at $400. Enjoy live music in the Ashley View Pub courtesy of DJ DollaMenu or feel free to play a game of cornhole on the concourse. Bottoms up! Thursdays are presented by 95sx.
Friday, June 10, 7:05 p.m.: Friday Fireworks presented by REV Federal Credit Union/Boeing Red Shirt
Friday: The RiverDogs will shine a spotlight on active duty and retired military members and their families, while the team wears their new red alternate jerseys on the field. The red jerseys will be auctioned to fans at the end of the season. Following every Friday night contest make sure to stick around for the best fireworks show in the Lowcountry! Enjoy this week’s fireworks to a soundtrack of halftime show hits. Fridays are presented by 103.5 WEZL and Live 5 News.
Saturday, June 11, 6:05 p.m.: Larry Doby Weekend presented by MUSC Health/RiverDogs Pitch, Hit and Run Event/Larry Doby Charity Softball Game/Saturdays Live at The Joe presented by Breeze Airways/Post-Game Light Show: The RiverDogs and their opponent, the Salem Red Sox, will wear Negro League jerseys for this contest as the organization holds its annual celebration of Larry Doby presented by MUSC Health. Doby was the first African-American player to play in the American League. The team will also honor the 2022 recipient of the Gus Holt Memorial scholarship. Early in the day, as part of MLB’s Play Ball Weekend, the team will welcome young baseball players from the Lowcountry to compete in a Pitch, Hit and Run Event. Registration is available here! Make sure to arrive early for the RiverDogs game as The Joe will also host a Larry Doby Charity Softball Game from 4:00-5:00 p.m. The contest will feature prominent black business owners from the Charleston area and benefit the North Charleston RBI Program. You never know what kind of fun is in store when you walk into the ballpark on a Saturday Live at The Joe! After the game, stick around for a light show featuring our LED ballpark lights! Saturdays are presented by 92.5 Kickin’ Country, 101.7 Chuck FM and FOX 24.
Sunday, June 12, 5:05 p.m.: Larry Doby Weekend presented by MUSC Health/Cannon Street All-Stars/ MUSC Health Family Sunday: Larry Doby Weekend continues with a day of recognition for the Cannon Street All-Stars, a select group of players from the first sanctioned African-American Little League in South Carolina back in 1955. Members of that team will be in attendance at the game and the RiverDogs will take the field in replica Cannon Street All-Star jerseys, which will be auctioned throughout the evening. Parking is free! Before, during and after each Sunday home game, we will make it all about the kids. From the video board, to between innings contests, and even the opportunity to run the bases, Sundays are sure to be a memorable day for the whole family. Sundays are presented by Mix 95.9, Star 99.7 and ABC News 4.
Kamron Fields is a relief pitcher for this year’s RiverDogs team. He is from Garland, TX, which is just outside of Dallas.
Growing up in Garland, Fields described it as a typical city that is not out of the ordinary. He went to a big high school, a 6A school that was one of five in his city alone.
Like a lot of professional athletes, Fields played multiple sports growing up. Specifically, baseball and football, where he was the best athlete on the field. “I was the only kid that could throw,” he said.
Being a relief pitcher can be a lot of pressure, but Fields learn to deal with pressure at a young age. Being a quarterback in the state of Texas as a high schooler will certainly prepare you for anything.
When most people think of Texas, they think of football, and there is not a lot that comes close to high school football in the state of Texas.
“Nothing compares to it,” said Fields when talking about football in Texas. I have never felt the adrenaline rush that I felt on Friday nights.”
Fields had a goal in mind when he got to Lakeview Centennial High School. That goal was to get the Patriots to the state playoffs for the first time in 20 years. He did just that in his senior year, leading the Patriots to the second round of the state playoffs, and winning District MVP unanimously as the starting quarterback.
Not only was Fields getting it done on the football field, but on the baseball diamond as well. In his senior season at Lakeview Centennial, he received numerous accolades, including District 6A MVP, a Texas All-Region First Team selection, and a Rawlings-Perfect Game All-American Honorable Mention.
His efforts would earn him a scholarship to the University of Texas in Austin, where he would play for three seasons for the Longhorns. In 2018, his freshman year, he made 15 appearances and went 1-0 with a 1.82 ERA, while also making an appearance in the College World Series.
2020 was a difficult time for a lot of people, including Fields. As a junior at UT, there was a lot going on with the world and inside Fields mind. While it was a difficult time, he wanted to make a difference.
“The world just hit me all at once,” he said. “A lot went on with me personally, the pandemic hit, and police brutality was plaguing the country.”
During this time, Fields made two big decisions. The first decision was to transfer from Texas to Texas Southern, an HBCU school in Houston, TX. This move surprised a lot of people, but it was a decision that Fields says “was more than baseball.”
“They did not treat me any different when I got there,” said Fields. “Coach Robertson was a great
coach that gave it to you straight.”
In his one year with the Tigers, Fields went 4-6 with a 5.03 ERA in 13 appearances. While the COVID year would allow him to have an extra year of eligibility, Fields would look to the Major League Baseball Draft that summer.
In the 20th round of the 2021 MLB Draft, Fields was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays. He was the only HBCU player to be selected in the draft, which is something that he holds dear to his heart.
While he feels a great deal of pride for being drafted, Fields knows that there is more that can be done and would like to see more HBCU players have the same accomplishment.
“I want this to become the norm,” said Fields. “I do not want this to happen every three or four years. I want this to be an annual thing.”
After signing with the Rays, Fields reported to the FCL Rays to begin his major league career. In three games with the club last year, he picked up a save. This year, coming into the homestand, he is 1-0 with a 3.48 ERA in 15 appearances.
The second big decision that Fields made during the 2020 pandemic was to start a nonprofit organization for the youth in his hometown. He calls it More to Life.
Fields said his biggest influence in life is the youth. Because of this, he had a youth center built in Garland and is doing everything he can to give back to his hometown. More to Life provides children with the resources as well as the direction to be successful.
During the holidays in 2020, Fields raised over one thousand dollars and provided toys to 15 families in the city of Garland.
That is where you will find him during the offseason, working out at Lakeview Centennial and giving back to his community. Fields hopes to continue to grow More to Life and eventually expand past the city of Garland.
