Well, we almost didn't see the Hickory Crawdads play today. We thought that the game started at 7:05pm, so we left Raleigh, NC at a leisurely 9:00am, for a 3 hour drive to Hickory, NC. The rain fell most of the way to Hickory. When we arrived the rain had stopped, but it didn't look promising for a game in the evening. We checked into our motel and had lunch. We decided to drive out to the ballpark to take some pictures just in case. On our arrival at the ballpark we realized that there was a game in progress. We hurried inside to find out that there had been an 11:00am start for an Education Day. It was the top of the 9th inning with two outs. Jim quickly hurried around to take the required pictures. Luckily the batter fouled several balls before striking out, so the pictures were taken. The Hickory Crawdads, a Single A affiliate of Pittsburgh, were playing the South Georgia Waves. The Crawdads were the 2002 League Champions of the South Atlantic League. They play in L. P. Frans Stadium. It is named for Mr. & Mrs. L. P. Frans founders of Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. of Hickory. The stadium opened in 1993. The stadium is mainly seats with some no-backed bleachers down each baseline. The Crawdads, nicknamed Dads, were successful winning 6-4. The box score was Waves R-4, H-6, E-1 and Crawdads R-6, H-11, E-2. Because of the late arrival we didn't see a mascot, nor did Jim get the field lines. We talked with the staff person in the Souvenir Shop and she indicated that it was raining off and on throughout the game. She gave us a program, team picture, and set of player trading cards which we appreciate. They have the usual Thirsty Thursday promotion--$1 beer and soda. The Crawdads Cafe is down the 1st baseline and has a menu of grilled sandwiches and other items with fries, chips, or coleslaw. Prices vary from $3.95 to $6.50. 2009 affiliated with Texas Rangers. Another logo added. 2014 L.P. Frans Stadium seating 5,062. New logo in 2016. 2013--Affiliated with Texas. High A playing in the East League, South Division.
Attractions
CSS Neuse State Historic Site has the recovered remains of the CSS Neuse, one of two remaining Confederate ironclads.

The Hickory Furniture Mart opened to the public in 1984 and features over 100 galleries, showrooms and factory outlets under one room. Over 1,000 manufacturing lines offering a wide selection of quality furniture are available on more than 20 acres in a four-story building.