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The End of an Era for Bakersfield Baseball
The state of minor league baseball in Bakersfield is what its always been in the past few years after the departing of the Bakersfield Dodgers. Bleak at best. I really think that Bakersfield as whole won't even notice when and if the Blaze are moved to the Carolina League. Sad? Yes, but true.
Without a new ballpark, and an affiliation with a worthwhile major league baseball franchise. People in Bakersfield just don't care about the Blaze. Lets face it, trucking up to the "Dale" just to sit out in over 100 degree weather pretty much kills the buzz right there. Not to mention the fact that you may not want to spend $600 for new windshield if you happened to find yourself arriving at the game late but thinking how lucky you were to get parking spot right up front. I once personally witnessed a fan standing in the beer line get clocked in the melon by an arid foul ball.
Face it. Sam Lynn Ballpark is outdated, old and frankly one the worst ballparks in "pro" baseball. Despite the Blaze ownerships efforts to make some minor improvements. The ballpark is still in an overall state of distress.
The County has absolutely no interest in putting money into the ballpark or any new ballpark for that matter. The County has also destroyed any attempts in the past by private capital investors to build a new ballpark and baseball complex. Maybe to protect their own interest as proud slumlords of a worn out ballpark.
As a die hard baseball fan I am sickened by the fact that the County and Blaze ownership cannot figure out a way to bring the City of Bakersfield a quality ballpark and keep the Blaze in Bako.
What happened to the window of opportunity to partner with the CSUB Baseball program and their new facility?
Once again corporate greed or county incompetence?
In a town with already very little entertainment, the traditions and the passing of an era are slowly fading as the sun disappears behind the Sam Lynn outfield wall.
Comments
Great post! The Bakersfield Blaze stadium is lacking, true. I've always enjoyed going to those games, though, because it reminds me of of the small town (here) in which I grew up. I know that it's not so great for the players who have to play there every season... so I hope something gets done before it's too late and we lose pro ball for good.