Softball facility is ‘field of dreams’

I would like to extend congratulations to (tournament director) Mike Brooker and his team of volunteers from Bangor West Little League for the recently concluded Senior League World Series. It was a treat to watch this tournament and it was apparent that every detail had been accounted for. From the moment teams began arriving until the final pitch had been thrown, this was a first-class affair.

I listened to the opening ceremony on the radio. I heard Mike Brooker and Bob Stevenson welcome all on behalf of District 3 and Mayor Mike Crowley extended greetings from the city of Bangor. Stephen Keener, president of Little League Baseball, lauded the Mansfield Stadium facility. Next came a tribute to Stephen and Tabitha King marking the 10th anniversary of this wonderful ballpark. Gov. Angus King made an entrance on his motorcycle to deliver the ball for the ceremonial first pitch. After Stephen King threw out the first pitch there was a fly-over by jets from the Maine Air Guard. Does it get any better than this?

In fact it did get better. As the 23 games unfolded, we were treated to some great baseball. We saw Bangor’s Senior League team play very well against top competition. We also saw the local crowd adopt and support the team from Curacao. As the week concluded, compliments flew in from all corners for the well-run tournament, the hospitality of the community and the Mansfield Stadium facility.

Thank you Stephen and Tabitha King for building this beautiful facility. Thank you as well for all your countless philanthropic endeavors. Your generosity and commitment to Bangor and eastern Maine have been well-documented and stand as an example to all. Make no mistake about it, this tournament would not be here if not for Mansfield Stadium.

I have often heard Mansfield Stadium referred to as a “Field of Dreams.” It is instead a reality and has been one for 10 years. Life is good if you are a young man playing baseball in Bangor. All home games for Bangor High School are played at this state-of-the-art complex. Indeed, if you play baseball in eastern Maine, you likely will play at Mansfield sometime.

With apologies to my alma mater, let’s compare this experience to that of a high school softball player in Bangor. Imagine the dignitaries at the opening ceremonies touring the softball field at Bangor High School. What kind of comments would you hear as Gov. King and the president of Little League walked the perimeter of that field? The field is essentially unchanged from how it stood 30 years ago when I attended BHS.

Instead of a red Georgia clay surface, the young women play on an infield of crushed stone. Do you know what crushed stone does to the legs when a player slides? Instead of perfectly manicured Kentucky bluegrass with an automatic watering system, the girls enjoy a variety of grass and weed growth that gets watered automatically – when it rains.

Instead of a top-shelf lighting system and a generous grandstand, the girls enjoy a couple sets of bleachers down the left-field foul line, and “natural lighting.” Instead of an expansive concession area and indoor restrooms, at softball games you bring your own snacks and watch the water intake. What kind of impression do you think this tour would make with our dignitaries? What kind of message are we sending our daughters?

How do you think this feels to the young women of eastern Maine? For the past 10 years, every time they enter Mansfield Stadium to support their high school baseball team they are reminded that a comparable facility for them is only a “Field of Dreams.” Isn’t it time to build a stadium designed for fast- pitch softball for them? “If you build it, they will come.”

Clint Higgins

Old Town

Thanks to volunteers

I enjoyed the in-depth articles about people participating at the Masters track and field meet held recently at the University of Maine. “Thank you” must be said to the numerous volunteers whose selfless work made this national meet a success.

Competitions such as this and local events could not take place without the time and effort people willingly donate.

Dick Storch

Orono

Note to readers: The NEWS asks that letters be kept brief and reserves the right to edit submissions for libel, taste, clarity, and to fit available space. Letters should include a signature, full name, address, and daytime phone number. Letters may be mailed to: P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402, or e-mailed: bdnsports@bangordailynews.net