The Cleburne Railroaders Came to Chicago for Some Dogs

I spent much of my weekend with a bunch of dogs and railroaders, the Chicago Dogs and the Cleburne Railroaders to be exact. What started as one game so my friend and I could get Dogs Manager Butch Hobson bobbleheads turned into the three game series between two independent pro baseball teams.

Hobson was a player with the Boston Red Sox when I first started watching baseball. He was named the first manager of the (then) new Chicago Dogs back in 2018. I had the pleasure of interviewing him prior to the inaugural game for the Dogs.

The Railroaders started play one season before the Dogs. In 2021, the Railroaders announced three new additions to their ownership group. They also got new colors and new uniforms.

Both teams are members of the American Association of Professional Baseball, an official Partner League of Major League Baseball, the Dogs play in the beautiful 6,300 seat Impact Field. Located adjacent to an expressway and just east of O'Hare Airport, the stadium offers interesting views as the backdrop. The Railroaders play their home games at The Depot at Cleburne Station, which has 1,750 seats and, although I have never been there, is a fantastic place to watch baseball, according to the players.

The Dogs took the first two games of the weekend series, but the Railroaders came back to win the series finale. The win brought their record to 35-25, good for second place in the South Division. They are 2.5 games behind the first place Kansas City Monarchs.

School of Rock provided live entertainment on Friday. A music school for all skill levels and ages, School of Rock features local musical students.

Saturday night was Elvis-themed. Elvis impersonators entertained fans, who got into the act wearing blue suede shoes and sparkly jumpsuits, while gyrating their hips to the King's music. An amazing fireworks display celebrated a win to end the night.

Armed with gloves, fans lined up hours prior to Sunday's game to ensure maximum time of the field for the pre-game catch followed by pictures and autographs with the team. Hundreds of parents tossed balls to their eager children, who were ecstatic to be playing on a real baseball field. The fun increased when the team interaction period started.

Living near Impact Field, I have the opportunity to meet the Dogs at many games. Therefore at Sunday games, I always try to talk to players from the opposition. I must say, the Railroaders were extremely nice guys, taking time to talk baseball, Texas and even some fun non-baseball topics. My only regret was I missed talking to pitching coach (and former MLB pitcher) Arthur Rhodes.

The games also featured plenty of other onfield fun, usually involving younger fans. Races, wrestling in sumo-suits and other games provided fun between innings. Mustard and Ketchup, the team's mascots, were all over the park entertaining fans. Ketchup would often get playfully booed, because everyone knows, ketchup does not belong on a Chicago dog.

I want to thank the Railroaders for their time and consideration on the field Sunday. I wish them luck for the final stretch of the season. Maybe they will even play the Dogs in the playoffs!