By Jon Malavolti
C & G Sports Writer

Editor’s note: This is the third installment in a four-part summer series on minor league baseball.  If you missed the first two — the Traverse City Beach Bums or the Lansing Lugnuts — click on the Summer Happenings link.

COMSTOCK PARK — Take a trek about 150 miles west and you might just stumble upon one of the most important farms in the state.

That is, of course, if you’re a Detroit Tigers fan.

Fifth Third Ballpark, situated in the Grand Rapids suburb of Comstock Park, is the home of the West Michigan Whitecaps of the Midwest League.

The Whitecaps are the Tigers’ single A affiliate — meaning several of the team’s top prospects and future stars hone and develop their skills while playing there until they’re ripe for the plucking. Then they’ll be shipped off, possibly to Detroit, for a chance in the big leagues.

Brandon Inge, Joel Zumaya, Matt Joyce, Fernando Rodney, Jair Jurrjens, Cameron Maybin, Mike Rabelo and Ryan Rayburn are some of a growing list of former Whitecaps who eventually suited up for the Tigers.

But being able to get a glimpse of the Tigers’ future is just one of several reasons to make the journey across the state to check out the Whitecaps.

No barnyard blues
Fifth Third Ballpark is no farmhouse, that’s for sure.

The Whitecaps’ home recently underwent a $1.4 million renovation, making the fact that the park is 15 years old barely noticeable.

“I like the atmosphere; it’s a neat ballpark,” Whitecaps fan Marlene Dykstra of Hudsonville said before a July 3 game.

The ballpark, near the banks of the Grand River, has capacity seating around 10,000 — mostly situated behind the baselines and home plate. The areas behind the outfield fences house separate spaces for large groups that include bars, a restaurant and decks, all of which have great game-viewing opportunities. It costs $4 to park in the large parking area surrounding the ballpark. Tickets range from $5 to $10.

Once you’re parked and in your seat, be prepared to root, root, root for the home team.

“The people are coming out, and they’re here to support you,” Whitecaps outfielder Joe Tucker said.

“You want to give them not only a good show, but you want to perform at your best to show them that you appreciate what they’re doing.”

Even when the Whitecaps are on the road to take on in-state Midwest League foes the Lansing Lugnuts or Great Lakes Loons, fans make them feel as if they’re not too far from home.

“Being a Tigers affiliate, around the area — even when we go to other ballparks — people cheer for us a lot,” West Michigan manager Joe DePastino said.

Feed yourself, not the animals
The Whitecaps also hope that when you come to a game, you bring your appetite.

After all, what would a trip to the ballpark, especially this ballpark, be without filling up. And when a menu item has its own mascot, like the pork chop sandwich’s Franky the Swimming Pig, you know it has to be good.

But even if you don’t run into Franky or the team’s other mascot, Crash the River Rascal, on the concourse, you’re bound to bump into a food stand anyway.

“Our philosophy is that you don’t want to walk more than 10 feet without seeing or smelling food,”  Whitecaps Vice President Jim Jarecki said. “We really promote ourselves as Michigan’s largest outdoor restaurant. “There’s stuff that you can get somewhere else, but at a ballpark, it tastes a little bit different, a little bit better.”

Don’t miss out on the fun
Stuffing yourself and taking in a game aren’t the only things to do at the ballpark. Promotions and contests galore run before games, between innings and after games.

“It’s entertaining between innings; they’re not just sitting there. They’ve always got something going,” said Doug Dykstra, a fan taking in the game.

From theme nights, such as Star Wars Night and British Humor Night, to Sunday home pre-game activities, such as autograph sessions and the opportunity to play catch with a friend or family member on the field, the organization strives to keep fans happy.

“Half the people walk out of here not knowing what the score was, and that’s the way we want it to be,” Jarecki said. “Hey, they had a great time and they want to come back.”

The team’s pretty good, too
Diehard baseball fans won’t be disappointed in the product on the field, either. The Whitecaps have won three of the last four Midwest League Championships, including the last two, and they’ll be ready to defend their back-to-back titles when the playoffs start at the end of this season. They have already clinched a spot in the postseason thanks to their success in the first half.

The playoffs get under way the first week of September.

For more information about the West Michigan Whitecaps call (616) 784-4131 or visit the team’s Web site at www.whitecaps-baseball.com.

You can reach Sports Writer Jon Malavolti at jmalavolti@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1040.