BB: USAC: USA South Athletic Conference

[hokieone]

I knew the reasoning and agreed with it, but it just seems that every year since, we end up with tiebreakers. That's okay I guess because the regular season title means very little in the tournament scheduling. If they ever take the last 2 teams, and have a play in game, and have the #1 open by playing the winner, there would be an advantage.

And you're correct, it has worked, with more USAS teams have gone to regionals....

[coachmilburn]

Hey, it's NOT the $4.2million proposed propaganda drawing that Winchester Park-n-Rec threw out in the public's eye during the late summer of 2008 but it's a start.  Again, this is NOT the $4.2 million renovation project that was suppose to include a NEW press-box, new concession stand, new restrooms, new team rooms, new dugouts along with an A-Turf infield.

Still NO update on the pathetic infield which is about as safe as the infielders playing Russian roulette with the baseballs hit at them.  A Shortstop took a bullet in the nose during fall practice which resulted in a broken nose.  Really, the infield should be the #1 priority which has safety issues.

Where is my man "HokieOne", the master of fundraising for Strasburg Nation (God's country where things are purple) who got the money needed for the high school baseball infield $25k renovation done within a 2-hour period with just 5 phone calls!  How 'bout that.  Outstanding concept which I have yet to use!  It'll be my ace in the hole when I need to use it.






Bridgeforth Field getting a makeover

By David Selig
The Winchester Star

WINCHESTER — With the help of students from Handley High School, Bridgeforth Field is getting a makeover.

Renovations to the 31-year-old baseball field at Jim Barnett Park began early this month and will include a refurbished press box and improvements to both dugouts, said Mike White, operations superintendent for Winchester Parks and Recreation.

"It's a great opportunity, because it's good for the city and park and it helps build pride, because it's the home of the Judges," White said.

Handley's baseball team uses Bridgeforth Field for home games, as does the Shenandoah University baseball team and the Winchester Royals of the Valley League.

White said he got the idea to recruit Handley students when he read of their work on a recent Habitat for Humanity project.

Jimmy Robertson, who teaches two construction technology classes at Handley, said 24 students from his program will be involved.

"It's a win-win for everybody," Robertson said. "The students get to work in a real world scenario using materials that are used on a construction site, and the park obviously gets the work done."

Robertson said his students have already begun work on the dugouts, which will have their roofs replaced.

It's a rare opportunity for students to complete that sort of project, because roofs on top of buildings are too high to allow students on them, Robertson said.

White said Winchester-based DeHaven Home Improvement has been contracted to do the siding and window replacement of Bridgeforth's press box.

After that is complete, Handley's students will spend the winter gutting the inside, installing insulation, finishing the walls and putting in a new counter.

Robertson said the coach's office will also be renovated, and there will be two dressing rooms inside the box.

Robertson's students will also replace the steps and porch leading up to the press box, where an 8-by-8 foot deck will be constructed.

White said "an extensive amount of cleaning and painting" will also be done around the field, and the backstop wall and netting are planned to be replaced.

White said he expects the project to be complete by the time Shenandoah's baseball team plays its first home game Feb. 20. He added that Winchester Parks and Recreation is hopeful of making further improvements to Bridgeforth in the coming years — including replacing the lights — as long as funding allows.


dselig@winchesterstar.com



Click here to see the slideshow of pics taken on October 17, 2009:
http://s798.photobucket.com/albums/yy269/THEPIBBSTER/BridgeforthField_RepairWork_Oct17_2009/?albumview=slideshow



Take a look at what it looked like back on June 30, 2008 :
http://s306.photobucket.com/albums/nn245/coachmilburn/Bridgeforth%20Field/?albumview=slideshow

[SUbaseballfan]

Glad to see Bridgeforth Field getting a makeover! Small steps for a team that deserves a better field!!!  I know the guys all work hard to make their field as  good as possible.I guess I can wait for the bathrooms to get real doors and not those darn shower curtains LOL!!

[hokieone]

..and speaking for a visiting team's fans, how about if Frederick County turns the water back on a little earlier so the field can be watered and the bath rooms unlocked?  It would make the admission charge a little easier to swallow.  SU's players would surely benefit by getting the water turned back on a bit earlier.       CNU visits in late March so I suspect the water will be on by then.     

The new press box looks nice.

[coachmilburn]

..and speaking for a visiting team's fans, how about if Frederick County turns the water back on a little earlier so the field can be watered and the bath rooms unlocked?  It would make the admission charge a little easier to swallow.  SU's players would surely benefit by getting the water turned back on a bit earlier.       CNU visits in late March so I suspect the water will be on by then.    

The new press box looks nice.

"Hokieone", Frederick County has nothing to do with water in Jim Barnett Park which is located in the City of Winchester.   

Please contact Brad Veach or Mike White of WPRD with your concern of lack of water, not here on a D3 message board.  The more folks contact them, the better.

http://www.winchesterva.gov/contact/index.php?dept=parks

Winchester Park-n-Rec thing about the water ... not until April 1st.  Looks like you'll be using the beautiful Johnny Blue again!  Nothing but the best for our friends from "purple" country!  You will not find a better Johnny Blue around my friend!  The rumor is that the stalls will be much bigger with a guy in their to hand you a clean towel as you wash your hands and even open the door so you do not have to touch that door handle.  How 'bout that for service! 

Almost forgot "Hokieone", have you been drinking too much of that purple stuff?  What new press-box are you seeing cowboy???  The 31yr old one is getting some vinyl siding along with new windows and interior will be remodeled.  Again, I am NOT seeing a NEW press-box ... quit drinking that purple Jesus from the back woods of the 'burg! 

Glad to see Bridgeforth Field getting a makeover! Small steps for a team that deserves a better field!!!  I know the guys all work hard to make their field as  good as possible.I guess I can wait for the bathrooms to get real doors and not those darn shower curtains LOL!!

I could NOT agree any more, the SU Baseball program deserves better!  Really, what's wrong with the shower curtains?  Are they not the "in" thing?  But I have heard the story about an individual promising the baseball team a new facility within 2 years.  Well, that would be the spring of 2011.  With a statement like that being made, the perception is that something must be in the works?  

[LTBB1971]

According to my son NCWC roster is out.  Coach keeping 32 players this year vice 27 from last year.  I don't think there is any talk of a JV squad so maybe just extra depth.  Schedule looks brutal in March with 21 games in 31 days.  Looks like they'll be carrying about 15-16 pitchers vice 11 last year.

[coachmilburn]

Follow-up for Bridgeforth Field work:

Just wanted to share with everyone after having a discussion with WPRD officials this morning and to bring closure to my concern about the playing surface at Bridgeforth Field ... please read below:

 

Mr. Brad Veach of WPRD is quoted: 

Yes, we are looking at several options (regrade and sod vs artificial turf) for the infield and depending upon the direction we decide to take, some of the user groups may need to financially support our unified effort. Those specific details have not been worked out because there is a significant difference in price between the two options. It is premature to speculate which option we will take until we look at all the pros and cons (which we are doing right now) and then we will determine what resources the user groups can bring to the table. The park budgeted money to make improvements and the work by the HHS students and the volunteers in a few weeks will allow us to stretch those tax dollars to do more than we originally anticipated. We are keeping an open mind on all the options. We'll make a decision after we evaluate all of this. After the City determines what option is in our best interest, which will likely happen within the next week, we will procure the construction services necessary to implement our final decision. Time is against us so we will need to move quickly before the ground freezes. I'll have more info within a week.

Mr. Mike White of WPRD is quoted:

There is a lot of research and pricing going into the infield process.  We are working with the Bridgeforth committee on the process and some of the user groups have expressed an interest in seeing if artificial turf is a viable option.  That option brings it's own set of unique challenges as well as some advantages.  So, at this point, we haven't determined the exact direction with regards to the infield as many variables will factor into the decision, the main one being funding.  At this point, I do feel confident in saying, one way or another we will have a new playing surface at the field for the upcoming season.


Regarding the company from Maryland, if we decide to re-grade the field, we have secured a company out of Remington, VA to do the work.  They have several ballfield maintenance contracts with other entities throughout Virginia and their bid price for their "plow, grind, and grade" service is $1.00 per sq/ft which includes resodding the field once they're done.  It will only take them about 10 days to do the work and part of the service includes a deep cultivation where they go down as deep as 8" to help give the infield some vertical drainage as well as regrading it to give it the proper amount of sheet drainage.  Once it's done, that should last anywhere between 6-8 years before it should be done again.  It's an outstanding price that no one has even come close to beating.  So far, their references check out and we're excited to move forward with them if that's the direction the committee and the park decide to go.  Given the time of year, as you previously mentioned, the calendar is definitely against us right now so we are hopeful to have a decision within the next few days.

Kudos to WPRD officials and Handley High school's Jimmy Roberston students in his carpentry class taking the lead here to get some much needed issues resolved at Bridgeforth Field.

[hokieone]

Practice starts in one month, opening day is just 7 weeks away! Can't wait!   

This should be another wild year in the USAS where nobody can be overlooked and truly any team can lose to any other team if they don't bring their A game.  Shenandoah certainly won't have the benefit of low pre-season expectations, and the traditional powers, which is just about everybody else, will be looking to re-assert themselves as such. Three teams in the NCAA Regionals, and of course one to  the DIII CWS last year, shows just how strong the conference is, and a couple more schools were on the cusp, a couple games away from getting in.    Let's hope we all get a late winter and early spring full of good weather for Christmas.   

[LTBB1971]

I really think just looking at some teams 2010 rosters that Shenandoah will be the number 1 preseason favorite to win with I would say Methodist and NCWC fighting for the Second spot.

[NoVa Baseball]

Shenandoah just published the 2010 pre-season poll on their website.  And with good reason - they are ranked 8th.  Congrats to them.  I find it a bit odd that they are ranked right behind Salisbury given they won the South regional which Salisbury hosted.  Shenandoah is returning 5 starting position players and will surely be the favorite to win the USA South.  CNU is apparently 32nd in the poll and is the only other USA South team mentioned.   Hopkins is 30th.  No ODAC teams appear to be listed. 

CNU's season opening opponent Texas-Tyler is ranked right behind them at 34th.  Should be a good test for the Captains to start the season.

Here is the link - http://www.baseballnews.com/polls/divIII/currentpolldiviii.htm

[LTBB1971]

Shenandoah should be in the top 5 I believe...too many returning players.  They will be very strong again.

CNU is completely overrated.  They lost SS Trae Bailey and most of their OF.  Methodist will be a better team I think.

[D-BAT]

Here's how I think it'll finish up for 2010 spring season:

1 - Methodist : They have something to prove and they were very young last year.
2 - Shenandoah : not sure who they got to replace the Simmons kid as #2 starter?
3 - NCWC : Big ? mark, but they always seem to be in the running
4 - CNU : They graduated a lot

Really anyone of those top 4 could win the USA-South.  Just will come down who has the pitching.

5 - Ferrum
6 - Greensboro
7 - Averett

[D-BAT]

Glad to see Bridgeforth Field getting a makeover! Small steps for a team that deserves a better field!!!  I know the guys all work hard to make their field as  good as possible.I guess I can wait for the bathrooms to get real doors and not those darn shower curtains LOL!!

"SUbaseballfan", how come SU does not have their own baseball facility?  I always assumed that Bridgeforth Field was SU's but I was corrected when I read these articles posted above.  Does SU have plans to build their own baseball field?

[LTBB1971]

My picks just from looking at returners and lost seniors is:

1.  Shenandoah
2.  NCWC
3.  Methodist
4.  Ferrum
5.  CNU
6.  Averett
7.  Greensboro

[hokieone]

     As I'd never pick against the Captains, out of total bias, my pick will come down to a requirement, with the team that best fills the requirement as being the most likely #1:

    In light of every season ending up with lots of ties in the standings and a dogfight for the dogpile at the USAS Tournament, whichever team can run out three solid starters to the mound is my pick...and of course I hope that's the Captains.


   P.S. But to show some love to my Captains, they return 7 of top 9 hitters, may well be a better hitting club top to bottom in 2010 (although Bailey, Cole, and Giarizzi will be missed), and still have the starting pitchers for 10 of the 11 2009 regular season conference games. I wouldn't count them out just yet...