What a fine mess
Jamie Keefe has been in the Frontier League as either a player or manager for nine years but he's never seen anything like the field conditions his Florence Freedom and the Wild Things played in Friday night at Consol Energy Park.
"I've been in this league a long time, and that's as bad as I've seen a field. We've never played a game on a field like that," Keefe said after Washington defeated Florence, 12-8.
The rain that has hammered southwestern Pennsylvania for the last month, along with the numerous tarp pulls, has left the outfield a quagmire suitable for only pigs and ducks.
The playing field impacted numerous plays. Perhaps the most obvious was in the first inning when Washington's Jacob Dempsey – not known for his speed - legged out a double on a ball dunked into shallow right centerfield. Dempsey knew the ball would plug in the outfield and was thinking double as soon as he left the batter's box.
"There were scorching line drives and one-hoppers through the infield that died 20 feet beyond the dirt. That's unacceptable," Keefe said. "But both teams did have to play in it."
The Frontier League has a rule that a game can't be canceled or postponed if the infield is dry. Ironically, Keefe was on the rules committee when this was put in the books years ago. But even Keefe says the line has to be drawn between playing on a soggy outfield and playing on a dangerous outfield, like Friday night's game.
"Players' careers and health are at risk playing in those conditions," he said. "From a front office standpoint, I completely understand that it's a business. I've been there and done that. But you have to look out for the safety of the players at some point.
"We had guys go down down three times in that game. We had a center fielder who should have been camped under a ball and he slips. You don't worry about him slipping, you worry about what happens after he slips, how he lands. Will he hurt his knee, hurt his elbow, hurt his wrist? ... We could have had three or four injuries out there in one game, and it doesn't have to be an outfielder getting hurt. If could be an infielder backpeddling on a popup, slipping and falling or colliding with an outfielder who can't stop."
So what should the Wild Things have done last night? Postpone? Play a doubleheader Saturday? There is a leaguewide off day in the schedule Monday, and Florence is at home Tuesday night. Travel wouldn't be an issue if the series was backed up a day.
Keefe said he wasn't in favor of moving the series back through Monday.
"If you look at the forecast, it's going to be like this all weekend," he said Friday night.
The weather-related problems the Wild Things are having this year reminds Keefe of 2003 when he was manager of the Chillicothe Paints. Chillicothe was hit with a rain-filled June and July wasn't any better. The Paints played only 40 of a possible 45 home games, many of those as doubleheaders.
The playing conditions at V.A. Memorial Stadium were so bad in the outfield that year that the ground crew was fighting a losing battle each time it rained, much like at CEP. Too much rain, not enough drainage. They solved the problem in Chillicothe by installing FieldTurf.
Something needs to be done at CEP, either by installing an artificial surface or replacing the inadequate drainage system and outfield grass with proper ones. I'm a traditionlist – I detest fake grass on a baseball diamond. I'd prefer seeing the CEP outfield replaced and an improved drainage system installed. But even all this rain is making me think fake grass isn't so bad.
posted by Chris Dugan at
11:03 AM
28 Comments:
AMEN!!!!!
Chris,
This was a really well written and enjoyable article up until the last line.
As you may, or may not know, I circulated a petition at what was then Falconi Field in regards to artificial surface. There was at that time much talk of replacing the natural grass with fake stuff. A lot of that talk was from the Wild Things management. I, also being a traditionalist, decided to take undertake some sort of effort to try to prevent this from happening. After some thought I decided to talk to Leo Trich about this possibility. I was encouraged by Leo Trich to start this petition. He told me that if others and I felt so strongly about the issue that we should make our feelings known to the appropriate individuals in the Wild Things office. So, I did indeed start a petition. In fact, Mr. Trich did indeed also sign this petition
I was very ill at that time and was unable to continue my efforts because of medical reasons. But, in only one day I was able to collect almost 900 signatures. This was in less than two hours of work on my part. A lot of people said they were not in favor of phony grass but, due to reasons they would not state, were afraid to put their name on a petition. (You probably already know that most folks around here are scared out of their minds about such things). WE MUST NOT OFFEND ANYBODY!!
Since it was very obvious that I was not going be able to continue canvassing the fans I decided to turn the petition into the Wild Things management with just the one day’s collection of signatures on it.
I received a call from Mr. Swiatek regarding this petition after I had sent it to him by certified mail. He was very genial but I could sense he was not really very happy about. He was particularly unhappy I thought about the fact the Mr. Trich had encouraged me in this effort. I did not press this issue any further due to a feeling that something other than a petition was also involved here.
About a week or so, after this exchange Ross told he that we would not be seeing artificial turf because of the cost issue.
Chris, the fans have made their feelings known about this issue very clearly – they should not have to do so again! I will NOT be making any effort to urge them not to make the mistake of blowing a lot of money on something we, the fans, do NOT want! You know darn well this foolish expense will be passed on to the fans – you know, the folks that ultimately have to pay for everything. Yes, even stuff we don’t like or want to see. If the management can’t seem to think clearly enough how to handle rain days and rescheduling problems resulting from them, perhaps then they are in the wrong business.
The business part of baseball definitely has the priority when it comes to the Wild Things. Player safety is of little concern as players are just “tools of the trade”. All one has to do is watch the ‘revolving door’ at Consol Energy Park when it come to players. Nuff’ said! Hell, they are already pee o'd at me so what? LOL
Ron Wilson
To Chris Dugan,
Thank you for creating this blog and letting everyone put his/her 2 cents in. Every other day or so someone puts something on here that gives me a good chuckle. It amazes me that the people complaining keep going back? At some point you have to question the judgement of THOSE people.
It's not like the Wild Things have averaged over 100% capacity since the day they arrived 6 years ago. Oh wait, YES they have! Oh yeah and also 6 straight playoff appearances. Man they must be idiots?
Great job John, Leo, Ross and the rest of the Wild Things crew. Now please if you could just get rid of the disgrace in the 3rd base coaches box.
Thank you again Chris!
They should allow the outfielders to play in swim trunks.
Helmets of course required when batting.
Maybe the proceeds from the tip jars could be used toward outfield drainage or the unthinkable "toupee turf"
If the players are expendable, then bitter old fans like Ron Wilson should find another form of entertainment. Just because there is a legitimate revolving door in baseball does not mean that it is acceptable to put the players at risk for the sake of the already bitter and disgruntled fan. Anyone who reads this blog has to be tired of hearing you complain over and over again about this team. Please go watch the Pirates and complain to Neil Huntington and see if he listens because frankly, we couldn't care less about your opinion.
The fact that you go to every game does not make you any more or less important than the rest of us so take your pompous attitude elsewhere!
Linda Jackson
Well thank you for your
educatedresponse. Apparently you misunderstood what I was trying to say. "Just because there is a legitimate revolving door in baseball does not mean that it is acceptable to put the players at risk for the sake of the already bitter and disgruntled fan". I'd NEVER condone putting a player's safety in jeopardy - it is the Wild Things that are doing so by allowing play on that surface. I don't think the game should have been played at all!
Perhaps I'm not articulate as you you like me to be, well TS. If you don't like what I say, then don't read it!! Is that too difficult for you? I just love it when you hate me!
ERon Wilson
Linda,
I agree with Ron on this one. The Wild Things exist only because of their fan base. I know Ron personally and am aware of his passion for the game of baseball. I believe that what he is saying is true, and that is that the Wild Things are pretty unresponsive to the wishes of the fans. You might not like what he is saying, or the way he expresses himself, but that does not mean that there is no validity to what he writes.
Your reply was simply of a personal attack on him and I can see no useful comment in it. The issue was, and still is, the playing surface. You are entitled to your opinion as he is to his. He stated his fairly well but you stated nothing at all about the playing surface.
It’s not too difficult for a person that goes to all the games to see that the Wild Things tend to “talk the talk” when they can’t “walk the walk”. They take for granted the fan that shows up every game. They also tend to play up to folks such as you that don’t come every day. The place is loaded with ushers that have all the tact of an army tank. Also, as Thriftyone stated there are ‘tip jars’ all over the place for people that do not deserve a tip. I always just ignore them myself. There are tons of things that either need change, or improvement. If folks such as you just turn a blind eye to them nothing will ever change. I hear people bitching all the time but they are too gutless to speak their mind. Whether you like it, or not, Ron at least has the courage to say what he thinks. So if you disagree you are free to say so. Nobody should attack you personally for your thoughts, but apparently you feel it is the right thing to do – shame on you! Who deserves more respect, you or him? Ron gets my vote.
If you have some meaningful comment about the playing surface I, for one, would like to read it. I don’t understand how Chris can allow such personal attacks to remain on this blog. Comments such as yours Linda should be removed to keep things on-topic. If you can’t offer something that adds to the discussion perhaps you should just not comment.
Brad Hise
Hey Linda, while you were sleeping the rest of the world passed you by. Time to wake up and smell the coffee@
Linda,
When I read you’re comments I was a little confused how you could reach one of your conclusions. In re-reading my post I realize I did not compose that sentence in the correct way.
I wrote “Player safety is of little concern as players are just “tools of the trade”. All one has to do is watch the ‘revolving door’ at Consol Energy Park when it come to players.” I suppose I should have said ‘player safety is of little concern to the management as players are just “tools of the trade” to them’. I am so sorry to have not been more clear in what I wrote. I suppose there are those as you that just can’t read between the lines. You do not have to be insulting to make a point. I certainly wish you no ill!
Whatever your feelings are about me are of no consequence – I REALLY don’t care! I’ve been through enough crap in my lifetime of 71 years that you are not even a nuisance and FYI, I am not “bitter” I have noting to be bitter about. Since you don’t know me it is a bit presumptuous on your part to make such a statement. I will afford you the courtesy of not insulting you in return. I speak for nobody other than myself nor do I even pretend to. You have the option to like it, or not. But I would die fighting for your right to say whatever you feel. I pray that your children are never ostracized in the manner you have done to me for writing their opinions in the free press that we still enjoy in this great country. However, I’m sure not going away so I suppose you should find some other blog to go to if you find my post annoying. Better yet, stay on the blog and try to find something constructive to contribute. BTW: I love the Wild Things – if I didn’t care then I wouldn’t write. There is always room for improvement in every organization, and in every individual.
Ron Wilson
I have sure noticed a lot of things that are different at CEP this season. It seems that the WT must feel that they have reached their zenith. They no longer seem to feel that they have to make that extra effort to get it right.
I think the decline in both interest and attendance shows something is not right. I doubt very much if the price of gasoline has much to do with it. It just doesn’t feel the same anymore.
I have been reading these blogs trying to see if I could gain any insight into what is making this happen.
I notice that one person keeps complaining about the parking fee. He says it is the highest in the FL. I don’t know if that is correct or not. No matter, it not that big of a deal – at least not to me.
Someone else is not happy about the tip cups. I don’t think that is a major issue either. However, it is really tacky and should not be allowed because these people are not servers.
Then there are those that are upset about the concession prices. Again, this does not appear to amount to a whole lot. The prices are not that much higher than last season.
Others are not happy with the quality of play and the new manager. On this point I must agree with most of the bloggers. Something is definitely wrong there.
One of the major improvements this season has been the welcome decline in the amount of local politicians
showing their faces at CEP. All it ever amounts to is something self-serving for them and can be of no other value to anyone. However, it was very disappointing to see that the WT sold (I know it was sold because I ask) space to a left leaning local politician by the right field entrance gate. I sure hope this isn’t the start of this on a regular basis. Money can’t be that tight can it? I prefer to get my political information during my free time. This sort of activity seems a bit out of place at CEP. There sure is nothing entertaining about politics! We can only hope that there is not a swap meet there next.
Getting back to the concessions, I have noticed that the small stand over on the right field line is only there for a short period of time now – sometimes not at all. Many people are not going to stand in line to get a soft drink or a pretzel, I’m not. This is one of the things that show a lack of effort by the WT. Just because sales may be slow does not mean that they should shut it down. If they just want to save money on labor cost why make the customers pay for it?
As I said, something just isn’t right this season. Many others are asking the same question. It’s just to obvious to ignore. Are the wheels coming off the gravy train? Do the WT just not care as much as before? Are they starting to feel the pinch? Do the fans not care so much now? Or, is the shine just coming off the apple? Anyone have any answers ,thoughts, or comments?
It’s just not as much fun as seasons past.
I would like to join the blogger above and thank Chris for having this place to discuss matters concerning the WT.
I would like to think as a true fan that people would stop coming just because they install artificial turf. Installing it would be a huge benefit not just to the Wild Things but to Cal U and Trinity High School, who also cal the CEP home. Think about how bad that field must be when they start playing on it in March. Plus they play WPIAL and PIAA games, concerts, bull riding and whatever else they can use the stadium for. I prefer natural grass my self but just like Heinz Field, if you are going to use it so much and you know how the weather is in Western PA, then you gotta go to the fake stuff.
Ooops, I meant to say that I hope fans wouldn't stop coming because they play on fake grass. Thought it and forgot to type it...
Claude,
I know that the Wild Things want to use the stadium for everything under the sun. They claim that it is an 'all-purpose' stadium. I wonder then why it happens to look so much like a baseball field? The primary reason the field was, and should continue to be, for the purpose of playing baseball. Very poor planning has led to the present problem. I don’t fully understand the relationship between BSI and the Wild Things and truly I don’t much care. I am aware that there has been bickering between them.
Somebody associated with one, or both of these organizations is guilty of some of the poorest planning that could ever be conceived here in Mayberry, PA. First, the drainage of water from the outfield should have been a very easy situation to anticipate. I mean even the Loony Tune Engineering Company draftsman should have been able to think of that for God’s sake! Didn’t they do any research about the annual rainfall in this area? Most MLB teams that have built new stadiums in the last few years have went back to natural grass. They have found that the turf surfaces are NOT the way to go for many reasons to numerous to elaborate on here.
Another really dumb oversight, a real favorite of mine, is the lack of safe areas for people to go when we experience one of our sudden thunder and lightening storms. Where were their heads when it came to that? As it is now people have to run their butts off for what little space there is available. Since I am one of the ‘old farts’ that is not able to run my only option is to hold my umbrella up like a friggin’ lighting rod and try to get to my car. Of course it’s about a million miles out in the parking lot! Due to the poor condition of the walkway from the stands to the right field gate (poor drainage there too!)I have to try to maneuver my way through puddles over the top of my shoes. When I finally do get to my car I am drenched of course and too darn uncomfortable to return to my seat when the storm passes. So, at least for me, the game is over and I go home.
As for the younger pups that manage to get under the bleachers, well, there are enough water leaks there to drown a goldfish or perhaps do significant damage to Dutch’s microphone (crap, that could be a GOOD thing!) Sorry, Dutch, I didn’t really mean that, or did I? Getting back to being serious, what rocket scientist approved the plans for the building of Falconi Field? These are only a few of the design flaws in the structure. I sort of reminds me of some of these fancy landfill places – pretty on the outside but filled with carp and junk on the inside. Let's not talk about the shoddy workmanship painfully visible for all to see.
Anyway Claude, I fully expect the Wild Things to do the regressive thing and install turf. A redo of the outfield to MLB standards would be both cheaper and better for baseball. But we really have to do something to appease all the junkies and drunks that show up at these loud obnoxious so-called concerts. Also don’t forget the bull riding folks, and it IS bull in more ways than one!
After all, these intruders on our baseball field show up perhaps two or three times a year, leaving puke and cow paddies all over the place, so I suppose they deserve first priority don’t you think? After all, it's only right! Apparently the Wild Things do. I think the place was built for baseball and should be used only for that purpose. But what the Hell, we baseball fans only show up 40 to 50 times a year and spend our entertainment money there, I guess we just chopped liver!
Ron Wilson
Illegitimati non carborundum! (Don’t let the bastards get you down!)
"the junkies and drunks that show up at these loud obnoxious so-called concerts. ... these intruders on our baseball field show up perhaps two or three times a year, leaving puke..."
Gee, I've been to a few concerts and I don't recall puking or doing drugs. Guess I didn't know I was a junkie. Better enter rehab ASAP.
I also didn't know that the park was "our baseball field" and owned by Ron Wilson and operated only to pleasure Ron Wilson.
Hell, we concert-goers pay a lot more for a ticket than the baseball goers but I guess we're just chopped liver.
Another fan favorite bites the dust. Pat Obrian retired after going on the DL for a broken thumb. He was on the trading block and refused. The new policy apparently gives injured players the choice of being traded or retiring. Remember Jeff Beachum? Look out Knapp. Ross has become Jelks' puppet.
Come on people this is the FL, not the major where the city would foots the bill. It not only the concert that might tear up the field, but alot of high school and college games are played here also, for which is great for the area high schools. There has always been a problem with water settling in the outfields and we having above average of rain this year. I understand that the fans pay for WT and CEP bills. So who will pay for a new turf, the fans, raising prices in tickets and concession is not the answer when the fan are not coming to the field. It is a business and this year it looks like the WT are having a hard time getting the fans to come to the game.
What is wrong this year?
One word that has taken 7 years to finally be exposed.
GREED
"Gee, I've been to a few concerts and I don't recall puking or doing drugs. Guess I didn't know I was a junkie. Better enter rehab ASAP."
Well, as with any addiction, your the last one to know!
"I also didn't know that the park was "our baseball field" and owned by Ron Wilson and operated only to pleasure Ron Wilson." I'll bet if he was running it would not be in the condition it is now. You must have a paper head from too many drugs Dude.
The majority should rule, it's the American Way. All you concert people to go to Starlight or whatever they call that drug haven now. You don't see anyone playing baseball there do you? Leave CEP to the people that enjoy baseball and have faithfully supported it until this year when the REAL FL greed showed it's ugly head.
Gee, I didn't know I owned I owned CEP. Okay, all you cake-heads out there - YOU ARE NOW BANNED FROM MY BALLPARK! Also, NO MORE HIGH AS A KITE CONCERT PEOPLE AND NO MORE B*** S*** ON MY, YES MY, GRASS!! GOT IT!
God it's good to be an owner of a 'sports' joint!
Ron Wilson
Wooops! I said cake-heads instead of coke-heads. I guess it must be some of the residue from that white stuff left over from the last rock group crowd at CEP" I must be 'cracking' up.
Ron Wilson
"What a fine mess"
Lets remember the end of last year melt down with the OR and Chris Dugas after the playoff disaster when he was snubbed.
I think fans remember, or at least an average of 300 to 400 per game remember (average attendence down from last year).
This is the basis for what is wrong this year and is really a carry over from last year.
What can WT management do?
I don't know.
Perhaps others have ideas.
Hey Ron, don't you mean "quacking up'?
I saw a lot of ducks the other night in the outfield. When I think about it, one of the them out in center field looked a lot like Chris Sidick except it's pants were a lot cleaner.
I highly doubt it is greed that has the attendance down. It is the baseball "product" which is not very good and even worse this year than I can recall. Sooner or later, this catches up to all FL cities. Washington should have been agressive in getting an affiliated team here years ago. The novelty wears off. The marketing and management staffs for the WT have done just about everything possible in the organization's existence to make its product relevant. The people in western PA and WV have already seen the product thru 7 years and they know nothing is really changing. If they had a chance to see Pedro Alvarez instead of someone who couldn't make the cut, I would guess that they would come back to watch the young aspiring stars.
Thriftyone, now there you go again! Telling it like it really is. If I were you I’d be watching my back for guys in black suits. You were, my friend, a little slow to see the light if this just occurred to you. I have a feeling you knew it all along.
It’s really amazing how brain dead some of the Wild Things apologist can be. Here is a group of owner/investors or whatever else they would prefer to be called that just can’t seem to get their stuff together. They have, and are rapidly losing, community support and respect. They have so much stuff just handed to them that it is just mind bending. Host families, a program that feeds the players after the games, not to mention a Wild Ones program that helps feed the players while they are on the road. Since the players are so underpaid these programs are of great benefit and I have no problem with that. Just think how much the Wild Things save in motel expenses! What they do with the money? Who knows, it’s theirs to use the way they want.
Host families, now that’s another thing altogether. Have you ever noticed t how many of these folks walk around with their noses in the air? You would think there body waste didn’t smell the same as yours and mine. It always strikes me funny how many of the little ‘goodies’ seem to land in their lap – a lump of coal that is a phony as turf - (BTW: have you ever thought about how appropriate this is? Lump of coal, Scrooge, Wild Things)– a few extra hats – a T shirt – baseballs that come out of the dugout and by some weird coincidence land right in the hands of a host family - God, that’s REALLY amazing isn’t it? Of course the Wild Things would NEVER give these well off folks a free ticket – that would be almost insulting and perhaps not legal. The players give their free tickets to the host families -wink-wink! I know, it happens everywhere. Now get this Thriftyone, and this is the solution to your parking fee complaint, become a host family and you will also get – FREE PARKING!!! Or, you could buy a season ticket and get a 33% discount on parking, OR be like the rest of us and just pay the $3 fee with a big crap eating grin on your face as they collect your money and, like a robot, say “Have a Good Night”.
You know Thriftyone; I have been really trying to figure out how you can think all this is greed! I always just thought this is the way business was done. Greed? The Wild Things? No way!!
Went to CEP last night and saw a whole bunch of miracles so many in fact, I could barely contain myself – I was just that happy.
The first miracle was between the end of the second inning and the start of the third inning when Dutch went MIA for some reason. Man was that great, or what? I could actually hear myself think. Hell,
I wish that would happen more often because I liked what I was thinking. I was thinking how nice it would be if both Dutch and DiFlabio er’ DiFabio were both enjoying gainful employment at some other place then CEP. Perhaps they could go to work for Consol Energy – probably not cause they don’t look healthy enough to put in a real days work in a coal mine, or anywhere else for that matter.
Anyway, getting to the second miracle. About the seventh inning ol’ DiFabio went MIA.. I guess all that ExLax I put into their hot chocolate FINALLY worked. Goodness knows they both need a hefty dose of it. Whatever it takes to get those two bozos away from the microphone is worth the investment. I suppose I’ll have to start working overtime so I can afford to continue feeding them the stuff. The next time Dutch has to goooooo someplace I sure hope it’s the same place he went last night between the second and third innings.
The third miracle was seeing Hoisington bail that clown Jelks out of another mistake with his first home run.
Seeing all these miracles almost makes me want to start giving more money at church.
Now, if we could only see The Wild Thing come back to life then all would be fine. He has been pretty sick almost all season! Perhaps he got hold of some of that ExLax too!
Man, I was just reading the O-R blog about ghost. Those folks make all of us look as if we are actually sane!
Ron Wilson
Comparing Consol Energy Park with the old Chillicothe Park is like apples and oranges. Anyone who ever saw a game there can tell you it was one of the worst baseball fields ever played on. There was a few blades of grass, and ruts caused by erosion all over the field.
I for one hope they never replace the natural surface at CEF, but it would not take much to correct the drainage in the outfield warning track.
I would like to see someone take better control of the scoreboards. We rarely see any stats on the players, or what they did in previous at bats. The right field scoreboard is capable of doing so much more than the way it is being utilized now. I think they could hire a couple of college students with some computer skills, and greatly enhance the evening for the fans between innings, rather than hearing our boy Dutch 17 times a night.
Dutch is alright, we just don't need sooooooooooooo much of him.
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