Black gives S-Cards some Arkansas flavor
Former Newport, UAM pitcher returns to state; Plus scores, schedules and promotions for the Arkansas Travelers
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Travs report: Newport’s Black makes return to Arkansas
The eyes of Newport will be on Dickey-Stephens Park this week as Grant Black returns to Arkansas as a professional baseball player with the Springfield Cardinals.
Black, who played at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, has had an improbable path to the Minors as a hard-throwing, right-handed pitcher.
At 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds Black has the size of a pro, but his baseball resume was thin. He last pitched for UAM in 2017, where he spent two seasons and was honorable mention all-conference his senior year for a solid Boll Weevils squad.
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Undrafted and unsigned by a big-league club, Black hit the independent league circuit playing in the Frontier and Atlantic leagues with the Gateway Grizzlies in Sauget, Illinois, and then on to the New Britain Bees in Connecticut.
As a relief pitcher, he didn’t put up impressive numbers -- an ERA of 4.38 for the Grizzlies and then a 2.81 ERA for the Bees -- but he managed a total of 17 saves over the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
That was followed by a momentous December 2019 tweet where Black said he was looking for an “affiliated opportunity” and listed what he could do: A four-seam fastball that was between 94 and 96 miles per hour, a curveball that hit between 83 and 85, with a changeup that came in on the radar gun at 86 to 88. Plus 65 strikeouts in his two independent league seasons.

In February 2020, the St. Louis Cardinals came calling and the Redbirds bought out Black’s contract with the intention of sending him to the minors last season, then came the pandemic and all of baseball shut down in 2020.
Hope, like baseball, springs eternal and Black was back on the mound and pitched two games in relief last week for Springfield. His stat line wasn’t the greatest as he gave up five hits and three earned runs in two appearances, but Black’s potential flashed with four strikeouts in just three innings pitched, while also hitting 95 miles per hour on the radar gun.
Now, for Black, he’s back in Arkansas and playing for the organization he grew up following. And, if you go, you might hear some familiar voices in the crowd as Black’s father, David, and uncle, Buddy, are the long-time announcers of Newport High School football.
Schedule, tickets and promotions
Tickets to Arkansas Travelers baseball games at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock can be purchased by clicking here.
The Arkansas Travelers went 2-3 last week in the opening series of the season against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
Opening Night last Tuesday drew a crowd of 3,581 and they saw a loss, as the Naturals won, 7-4.
The Naturals won again on Wednesday night but the Travs responded with back-to-back wins on Thursday and Friday as the crowds picked up as well but the Naturals won on Saturday night in what turned out to be the end of the series.
The Sunday afternoon game was postponed due to weather and will be made up on Aug. 4 as part of a double-header with seven-inning games.
The scores
Tuesday: Northwest Arkansas 7, Travs 4
Wednesday: Northwest Arkansas 3, Travs 0
Thursday: Travs 4, Northwest Arkansas 2
Friday: Travs 4, Northwest Arkansas 0
Saturday: Northwest Arkansas 6, Travs 3
Sunday: Northwest Arkansas | Postponed
The standings
Wichita … 5-1 ... .833
NW Arkansas … 3-2 … .600
Travs … 2-3 … .400
Tulsa … 2-4 … .333
Springfield … 1-5 … .167
On deck this week
Tuesday, May 11: Springfield
Start time: 11 a.m.
Game Highlight: School and Senior Day
Promotion: Thunderstix Giveaway; Presented By Project Prevent
Wednesday, May 12: Springfield
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Dog Days of Summer; $3 General Admission Ticket at the Box Office if you bring your dog and $1 Hot Dogs.* Presented By Moix RV
Thursday, May 13: Springfield
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Thirsty Thursday; $2 Busch Light, $3 Select Draft Beer for Mug Club members
Friday, May 14: Springfield
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Post Game Fireworks Show
Saturday, May 15: Springfield
Start time: 6:10 p.m.
Promotion: Calendar Giveaway; Presented By First Arkansas Bank & Trust
Sunday, May 16: Springfield
Start time: 2:10 p.m.
Ticket offers
Operation Military Appreciation Day: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with a Military ID; Presented By Mid-South Ford
Edward Food Giants $3 Off: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with an Edward Food Giant Coupon. Redeemable at the Box Office.
$10 Church Bulletin Family Pack: $10 for up to 6 General Admission tickets when you bring your church bulletin, no upgrades available with this package. Redeemable at the Box Office.
Next Week
AWAY GAMES | Tuesday, May 18: at Corpus Christi; Wednesday, May 19: at Corpus Christi; Thursday, May 20: at Corpus Christi; Friday, May 21: at Corpus Christi; Saturday, May 22: at Corpus Christi and Sunday, May 23: at Corpus Christi
Rest of the schedule
Tuesday, May 25: Tulsa
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Kid's Night; Free Train Rides & $1 Select Ice Cream.* Presented By Hiland Dairy
Wednesday, May 26: Tulsa
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlights: Dog Days of Summer; $3 General Admission Ticket at the Box Office if you bring your dog and $1 Hot Dogs.* Presented By Moix RV
Game Highlight: Diamantes Night; Presented by Telemundo
Thursday, May 27: Tulsa
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Thirsty Thursday; $2 Busch Light, $3 Select Draft Beer for Mug Club members
Promotion: Dizzy's Birthday Bash - Tennis Ball Giveaway. Bring your dog to the ballpark to help us celebrate Dizzy "The Ballpark Dog's" 4th Birthday. A Tennis Ball will be given to the first 300 dogs in the ballpark. Presented By Arvest Bank
Friday, May 28: Tulsa
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Post Game Fireworks Show; Presented By Hugg & Hall
Saturday, May 29: Tulsa
Start time: 6:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Blood Drive; Presented By Arkansas Blood Institute
Promotion: Team Photo Giveaway; Presented By Big Rock Fun Park
Sunday, May 30: Tulsa
Start time: 2:10 p.m.
Ticket offers
Operation Military Appreciation Day: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with a Military ID; Presented By Mid-South Ford
Edward Food Giants $3 Off: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with an Edward Food Giant Coupon. Redeemable at the Box Office.
$10 Church Bulletin Family Pack: $10 for up to 6 General Admission tickets when you bring your church bulletin, no upgrades available with this package. Redeemable at the Box Office.
AWAY GAMES | Tuesday, June 1: at Wichita, Wednesday, June 2: at Wichita, Thursday, June 3: at Wichita, Friday, June 4: at Wichita, Saturday, June 5: at Wichita, Sunday, June 6: at Wichita, Tuesday, June 8: at Springfield, Wednesday, June 9: at Springfield, Thursday, June 10: at Springfield, Friday, June 11: at Springfield, Saturday, June 12: at Springfield and Sunday, June 13: at Springfield
Tuesday, June 15: Tulsa
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Kid's Night; Free Train Rides & $1 Select Ice Cream.* Presented By Hiland Dairy
Wednesday, June 16: Tulsa
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Dog Days of Summer; $3 General Admission Ticket at the Box Office if you bring your dog and $1 Hot Dogs.* Presented By Moix RV
Thursday, June 17: Tulsa
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlights: Thirsty Thursday; $2 Busch Light, $3 Select Draft Beer for Mug Club members
Game Highlight: Boating Safety Night; Presented By U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Promotion: Boat Giveaway; Presented By Arkansas Marine
Friday, June 18: Tulsa
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlights: Rolex Dig, Presented By Sissy's Log Cabin
Post Game Fireworks Show, Presented By Arkansas State Parks
Girl Scout Night, Presented By Arkansas State Parks
Saturday, June 19: Tulsa
Start time: 5:30 p.m.
Game Highlight: Faith and Family Night featuring Plumb; Presented By Chick-fil-A, Higginbotham Investments, Kiko's Kountry RV
Promotion: Print Giveaway; Presented By First Arkansas Bank & Trust Mortgage
Sunday, June 20: Tulsa
Start time: 2:10 p.m.
Ticket offers
Operation Military Appreciation Day: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with a Military ID; Presented By Mid-South Ford
Edward Food Giants $3 Off: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with an Edward Food Giant Coupon. Redeemable at the Box Office.
$10 Church Bulletin Family Pack: $10 for up to 6 General Admission tickets when you bring your church bulletin, no upgrades available with this package. Redeemable at the Box Office.
AWAY GAMES | Tuesday, June 22: at Northwest Arkansas; Wednesday, June 23: at Northwest Arkansas; Thursday, June 24: at Northwest Arkansas; Friday, June 25: at Northwest Arkansas; Saturday, June 26: at Northwest Arkansas; Sunday, June 27: at Northwest Arkansas; Tuesday, June 29: at Tulsa; Wednesday, June 30: at Tulsa; Thursday, July 1: at Tulsa; Friday, July 2: at Tulsa; Saturday, July 3: at Tulsa and Sunday, July 4: at Tulsa
Tuesday, July 6: Frisco
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlights: Kid's Night; Free Train Rides & $1 Select Ice Cream.* Presented By Hiland Dairy
Game Highlight: Diamantes Night; Presented by Univision
Wednesday, July 7: Frisco
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Dog Days of Summer; $3 General Admission Ticket at the Box Office if you bring your dog and $1 Hot Dogs.* Presented By Moix RV
Thursday, July 8: Frisco
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Thirsty Thursday; $2 Busch Light, $3 Select Draft Beer for Mug Club members
Friday, July 9: Frisco
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Post Game Fireworks Show; Presented By Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield
Promotion: Baseball Giveaway; Presented By Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield
Saturday, July 10: Frisco
Start time: 6:10 p.m.
Promotion: Team Card Set Giveaway; Presented By Jacksonville Parks and Recreation
Sunday, July 11: Frisco
Start time: 2:10 p.m.
Ticket offers
Operation Military Appreciation Day: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with a Military ID; Presented By Mid-South Ford
Edward Food Giants $3 Off: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with an Edward Food Giant Coupon. Redeemable at the Box Office.
$10 Church Bulletin Family Pack: $10 for up to 6 General Admission tickets when you bring your church bulletin, no upgrades available with this package. Redeemable at the Box Office.
AWAY GAMES | Tuesday, July 13: at Northwest Arkansas; Wednesday, July 14: at Northwest Arkansas; Thursday, July 15: at Northwest Arkansas; Friday, July 16: at Northwest Arkansas; Saturday, July 17: at Northwest Arkansas and Sunday, July 18: at Northwest Arkansas
Tuesday, July 20: Wichita
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Kid's Night; Free Train Rides & $1 Select Ice Cream.* Presented By Hiland Dairy
Wednesday, July 21: Wichita
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Dog Days of Summer; $3 General Admission Ticket at the Box Office if you bring your dog and $1 Hot Dogs.* Presented By Moix RV
Thursday, July 22: Wichita
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Thirsty Thursday; $2 Busch Light, $3 Select Draft Beer for Mug Club members
Friday, July 23: Wichita
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Post Game Firework Show; Presented By Metro Disaster Specialists
Saturday, July 24: Wichita
Start time: 6:10 p.m.
Promotion: Evan White T-Shirt Giveaway; Presented By New Age Distributors
Sunday, July 25: Wichita
Start time: 2:10 p.m.
Ticket offers
Operation Military Appreciation Day: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with a Military ID; Presented By Mid-South Ford
Edward Food Giants $3 Off: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with an Edward Food Giant Coupon. Redeemable at the Box Office.
$10 Church Bulletin Family Pack: $10 for up to 6 General Admission tickets when you bring your church bulletin, no upgrades available with this package. Redeemable at the Box Office.
AWAY GAMES | Tuesday, July 27: at Springfield; Wednesday, July 28: at Springfield; Thursday, July 29: at Springfield; Friday, July 30: at Springfield; Saturday, July 31: at Springfield and Sunday, Aug. 1: at Springfield
Tuesday, Aug. 3: Northwest Arkansas
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Kid's Night; Free Train Rides & $1 Select Ice Cream.* Presented By Hiland Dairy
Wednesday, Aug. 4: Northwest Arkansas
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Dog Days of Summer; $3 General Admission Ticket at the Box Office if you bring your dog and $1 Hot Dogs.* Presented By Moix RV
Thursday, Aug. 5: Northwest Arkansas (DH)
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Thirsty Thursday; $2 Busch Light, $3 Select Draft Beer for Mug Club members
Friday, Aug. 6: Northwest Arkansas
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Post Game Fireworks Show; Presented By Oaklawn Racing & Casino Resort
Saturday, Aug. 7: Northwest Arkansas
Start time: 6:10 p.m.
Promotion: Wrestling Ring Giveaway; Presented By Midtown Billiards & Svedka Vodka
Game Highlight: Clunker Car Night; Presented By Midtown Billiards
Sunday, Aug. 8: Northwest Arkansas
Start time: 2:10 p.m.
Ticket offers
Operation Military Appreciation Day: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with a Military ID; Presented By Mid-South Ford
Edward Food Giants $3 Off: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with an Edward Food Giant Coupon. Redeemable at the Box Office.
$10 Church Bulletin Family Pack: $10 for up to 6 General Admission tickets when you bring your church bulletin, no upgrades available with this package. Redeemable at the Box Office.
Tuesday, Aug. 10: Springfield
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Kid's Night; Free Train Rides & $1 Select Ice Cream.* *Sales tax will be added for all food and beverages. Presented By Hiland Dairy
Wednesday, Aug. 11: Springfield
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Dog Days of Summer; $3 General Admission Ticket at the Box Office if you bring your dog and $1 Hot Dogs.* Presented By Moix RV
Thursday, Aug. 12: Springfield
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Thirsty Thursday; $2 Busch Light, $3 Select Draft Beer for Mug Club members
Friday, Aug. 13: Springfield
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Post Game Fireworks; Presented By Arvest Bank
Game Highlight: Diamantes Night; Presented by Telemundo
Saturday, Aug. 14: Springfield
Start time: 6:10 p.m.
Promotion: Jake Fraley Bobblehead Giveaway; Presented By BEEF Council
Sunday, Aug. 15: Springfield
Start time: 2:10 p.m.
Ticket offers
Operation Military Appreciation Day: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with a Military ID; Presented By Mid-South Ford
Edward Food Giants $3 Off: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with an Edward Food Giant Coupon. Redeemable at the Box Office.
$10 Church Bulletin Family Pack: $10 for up to 6 General Admission tickets when you bring your church bulletin, no upgrades available with this package. Redeemable at the Box Office.
AWAY GAMES | Tuesday, Aug. 17: at Frisco; Wednesday, Aug. 18: at Frisco; Thursday, Aug. 19: at Frisco; Friday, Aug. 20: at Frisco; Saturday, Aug. 21: at Frisco and Sunday, Aug. 22: at Frisco
Tuesday, Aug. 24: Corpus Christi
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Kid's Night; Free Train Rides & $1 Select Ice Cream.* Presented By Hiland Dairy
Wednesday, Aug. 25: Corpus Christi
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Dog Days of Summer; $3 General Admission Ticket at the Box Office if you bring your dog and $1 Hot Dogs.* Presented By Moix RV
Thursday, Aug. 26: Corpus Christi
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Thirsty Thursday; $2 Busch Light, $3 Select Draft Beer for Mug Club members
Friday, Aug. 27: Corpus Christi
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Pyro In The Park; Presented By Cutwater Spirits/Budweiser
Saturday, Aug. 28: Corpus Christi
Start time: 6:10 p.m.
Promotion: Tooth Ball Giveaway; Presented By Rock Dental Brands
Game Highlight: Teacher Appreciation Night
Sunday, Aug. 29: Corpus Christi
Start time: 2:10 p.m.
Ticket offers
Operation Military Appreciation Day: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with a Military ID; Presented By Mid-South Ford
Edward Food Giants $3 Off: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with an Edward Food Giant Coupon. Redeemable at the Box Office.
$10 Church Bulletin Family Pack: $10 for up to 6 General Admission tickets when you bring your church bulletin, no upgrades available with this package. Redeemable at the Box Office.
Tuesday, Aug. 31: Wichita
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Kid's Night; Free Train Rides & $1 Select Ice Cream.* Presented By Hiland Dairy
Wednesday, Sept. 1: Wichita
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Dog Days of Summer; $3 General Admission Ticket at the Box Office if you bring your dog and $1 Hot Dogs.* Presented By Moix RV
Thursday, Sept. 2: Wichita
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Game Highlight: Thirsty Thursday; $2 Busch Light, $3 Select Draft Beer for Mug Club members
Friday, Sept. 3: Wichita
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
Post Game Fireworks Show; Presented By MiCampo
Saturday, Sept. 4: Wichita
Start time: 6:10 p.m.
Game Highlights: Diamantes Night; Presented by Univision
Post Game Fireworks; Presented By Fuller & Son Hardware
Promotion: Growth Chart Giveaway; Presented By Fuller & Son Hardware
Sunday, Sept. 5: Wichita
Start time: 2:10 p.m.
Ticket offers
Operation Military Appreciation Day: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with a Military ID; Presented By Mid-South Ford
Edward Food Giants $3 Off: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with an Edward Food Giant Coupon. Redeemable at the Box Office.
$10 Church Bulletin Family Pack: $10 for up to 6 General Admission tickets when you bring your church bulletin, no upgrades available with this package. Redeemable at the Box Office.
AWAY GAMES | Tuesday, Sept. 7: at Springfield; Wednesday, Sept. 8: at Springfield; Thursday, Sept. 9: at Springfield; Friday, Sept. 10: at Springfield; Saturday, Sept. 11: at Springfield; Sunday, Sept. 12: at Springfield; Tuesday, Sept. 14: at Wichita; Wednesday, Sept. 15: at Wichita; Thursday, Sept. 16: at Wichita; Friday, Sept. 17: at Wichita; Saturday, Sept. 18: at Wichita and Sunday, Sept. 19: at Wichita
*Sales tax will be added for all food and beverages.