It's tough to share. Siblings go through that realization early in life. For only children, the rude awakening comes sometime between puberty and marriage. We need to mark our territory, scribbling our name on all the toys. And then there's the domestic dynamic. It's extremely difficult to smoothly coexist.
Guess what? The Palm Beach Cardinals didn't get the "sharing sucks" memo. In fact, they are somewhat enjoying their role as part-time second fiddles to the Hammerheads in Roger Dean Stadium. After all, the Hammerheads have called Roger Dean home for six years, but this marks the first season Palm Beach has played in Jupiter. Nor does it help that the Cards are the basement dwellers in an East Division that has been led much of the season by their Jupiter neighbors.
But the Cardinals aren't worried, pointing to bright spots like their sixth-ranked pitching staff in the league of 12, as well as many one-run losses that could have easily gone their way. And it's a nifty little stadium they get to play in. Roger Dean seats 6,600, from bleachers to luxury skyboxes.
According to General Manager Brian Barnes, who shares duties with Chris Easom between both teams, Roger Dean is big enough for two. "Each club has separate locker rooms, weight rooms, and practice fields," Barnes says. "The only time the two teams come in contact is when they play a league game."
So, along with a stadium and GMs, the teams also share promotional events. And that's good for you, because it means you'll still be able to bring your puppy along for the Cubs-Cards game Saturday, even though the Hammerheads are on the road. It's all part of "The Dog Days of Summer," which is a co-promotion between both teams. During this season, the last Saturday of each month goes to the dogs, as man's best friend becomes the guest of honor. All canines get in free, receive free bones and pooch ice cream, and will be escorted to "Dog Friendly" sections.
Just be courteous to the Jupiter folks. Bring a pooper-scooper. -- Russ Evans
SUN 6/1 Kayakety-Yak
Learn to Stroke Your Oar
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park (State Rd. A1A, north end of Singer Island, North Palm Beach) welcomes Adventure Times Kayaks at 2 p.m. Sunday. The kayak company offers parkgoers a lesson in basic kayaking skills -- not just simple strokes but also safety concerns and other points folks should know before dipping their oars in the water. The sport has turned into a popular one in South Florida's parks, what with all the nearby swamps, rivers, oceans, and lakes, as well as the wildlife that goes along with them. After all, it's nice to be able to pull your boat up next to a manatee without your boat's fan blades chopping the poor thing into bits. Admission is $3.25 per carload. Call 561-624-6952. -- Dan Sweeney
FRI 5/30
Fishin' for Marlin
While our local minor-league boys vie for competitive space up in Jupiter, our men in the majors have problems of a different sort. The Marlins aren't just in the basement; they look as if they belong there, like Christmas decorations in the summertime. With the exceptions of the dismal San Diego Padres and Detroit Tigers, no team in the majors is more games back. Luckily, the New York Mets are proving equally horrid, so the Marlins can climb out of the basement in a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds beginning Friday at Pro Player Stadium (2269 Dan Marino Blvd., Miami), assuming the Mets do their part and take a beating at the hands of the Atlanta Braves. Tickets cost $3 to $60. Call 305-626-7328. -- Dan Sweeney
THU 5/29 Fight Night
World-class boxing will come to Miami when Crown Royal presents Miami Fight Night in the American Airlines Arena, Thursday at 7 p.m. The fight consists of seven bouts, with a junior welterweight main event pitting Cuban boxer Hicklet Lau against Colombia's Carlos Maussa, an undefeated 13-0 with 13 KOs. The evening's sole heavyweight contest will feature Israel's Roman Greenberg, who has seven KOs and is a perfect 10-0, against Troy Beets. Expect many beautiful people and famous faces in the crowd. The Triple A is at 601 Biscayne Blvd. in downtown Miami. Tickets for the event cost from $25 to $75. Call 786-777-4328. -- Russ Evans
