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Dragons president speaks to team

The first serious on-field brawl in nearly nine years of baseball at Fifth Third Field prompted Dragons president Bob Murphy to hold an impromptu staff meeting in the hallway behind the upper-deck suites today, July 25.

"We have a job to do, and we have to be on it," Murphy said. "We want to put on wholesome, safe events for our fans."

Fans not bothered by Thursday's brawl

Don Campbell was first in line at the Fifth Third Field gates on Friday, July 25, waiting for 6 p.m. so he could enter the stadium and find his seat. The 60-year-old could be called the city's biggest Dragons fan, as he has an unofficial museum dedicated to the team in the second floor of his Dayton home.

He, like many fans interviewed before and during the Dragons' Friday game against the Peoria Chiefs, said a bench-clearing brawl on Thursday that resulted in an injured fan and an arrested Peoria pitcher wouldn't dull their enthusiasm about the team.

"My opinion is that the media blows it way out of proportion," Campbell said. "We've had a clean record for nine years. Actually, in my opinion, Peoria started it. Their manager pushed our manager."

Brawl aftermath: Mood cools off a day later

It wasn't going to be a usual night of baseball, so the Dayton Dragons didn't even try to make it that way Friday, July 25.

Muzzled by the parent Reds from talking about Thursday night's brawl with Peoria players, Dayton manager Donnie Scott made another decision. Batting practice would take place indoors instead of on the field, again reducing media opportunities.

The Chiefs are hoping that this event coming up on Tuesday gets attention turned back on them in a more positive light:

Cougars, Chiefs excited to play at Wrigley
Historic ballpark will host its first Minor League game Tuesday

The Peoria Chiefs and the Kane County Cougars will play the first Minor League game in the ballpark's 94-year history in the "Road to Wrigley" matchup on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. CT.

The game represents an opportunity for entry-level players -- Peoria's Cubs prospects and Kane County's A's prospects -- to experience a Major League atmosphere. It puts an image in their minds of the ultimate goal.

Here's hoping.