If you’ve gone to a Senators’ home game, you know parking on City Island can be a real issue and a detriment to attending. An alternative is to park in either Harrisburg or Wormleysburg and walk across one of the bridges. If you park on the West Shore be forewarned to avoid parking in the lots for Duke’s, Dockside Willie’s, and Rock Bass Grill as they are adamant against fans using their parking lots.

Instead of pissing off potential customers, wouldn’t it make better business sense for them to entice me to park there? Couldn’t they start charging a couple of bucks to park and offer a same day voucher for the same amount to use at any of their establishments? Who wouldn’t start planning on pregaming there? Or stopping by after the game for food and a drink? A place like the Hilton in downtown Harrisburg could also offer the same kind of deal.

But probably the best idea to combat the parking woes would be to borrow an idea from our neighbors in Philly. If you’ve ever been to a sporting event at Citizens Bank Park, the Wach, or the Linc you also have probably seen the Chickie’s & Pete’s bus shuttling fans to and fro the game from their restaurant located less than a mile away.

I understand that it’s an investment in the vehicle and the driver, but shouldn’t a forward thinking restaurant owner consider this a business opportunity? Think how many lazy asses would prefer to park away from the Island only to be dropped off and picked up down near the batting cages. Think how much extra revenue your establishment would bring in by catering to fans that are looking for somewhere to go before and after the game.

Considering their attitude, it doesn’t sound like the riverside restaurants in Wormleysburg would be open to this suggestion. However, there is already a restaurant only five minutes away from Metro Bank Park that partners with the Senators and has the economic foresight to make this happen. Arooga’s presents itself as the ultimate sports bar and they have an opportunity to become more ingrained in the Central PA sports landscape with a bold step like this. I just think the amount of business you would bring in would easily make up for the costs.

Shuffling the Lineup

Last weekend, the Senators saw three of their players promoted to Class AAA Syracuse. Outfielder/infielder Leonard Davis, left-handed reliever Victor Garate and right-handed starter Jeff Mandel will now don a Chiefs jersey in upstate NY.

To fill the three vacant roster spots, the Nationals’ organization promoted outfielder Edgardo Baez from Potomac and demoted RHP Andrew Kown and LHP Chuck James. Kown (1-2, 2.52 ERA) is already familiar with the midstate as he spent parts of the last two seasons here. James (2-1, 3.92) is working his way back from shoulder surgery that had him miss the entire 2009 season. He is probably best known to baseball fans from his four seasons on the Atlanta Braves staff.

One Step Beyond (Alumni Corner)

Drew Storen – Storen was called up to the Major Leagues on Monday and made his debut against the St. Louis Cardinals. Last night was another first as he pitched 2/3 of an inning to earn his first victory as he induced Jose Reyes to line out and Luis Castillo to ground out. For this season, the Nationals project Storen to be an integral part of the backend of their bullpen. He will likely be the 7th inning reliever in front of Tyler Clippard and Matt Capps. Congratulations Drew!