Officials: Municipal Stadium Not Good Enough for Minor Leagues
By: Jennifer Lee
Updated: September 20, 2012
HAGERSTOWN, MD - The City of Hagerstown opened Municipal Stadium's gates for a public tour Wednesday night.
The City Engineer, Rodney Tissue, told residents that it's "by far the worst stadium in the South-Atlantic League."
He says, "It's good to play ball in, but you won't see Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball played here. It just does not meet their standards anymore."
Some of the problems include the outfield that's 40 feet shorter than most other ballpark's in the minor leagues, and a hump in the left field. Still, some residents don't see why a change in venue is necessary.
Julie Rivett lives right by where the new downtown stadium is proposed to be built. She says, "I don't think that there's anything bad enough to constitute moving of a historical stadium of this magnitude."
City officials have said a new downtown stadium is necessary to revitalize, redevelop, and keep the Suns.
"The existing stadium is obsolete compared to many of the other stadiums that the club plays in the South-Atlantic League," Tissue says, "so you have a lot of the fan amenities that are missing here that you have at other stadiums."
A new multi-use facility that's proposed to be built on Summit Ave. and Baltimore St. would allow for other events like concerts, and even wedding receptions.
Though the city has secured some funds, some are worried about their tax dollars.
The President of the Hagerstown Tea Party, Don Hineman, says, "We feel that tax money should not be used. If they want to do it, the owners of the Suns and the Washington Nationals should be the ones to pay for the stadium."
Rivett says in support of the current stadium, "You can't touch and change where that home plate was."
Though many don't want to see City Stadium go, officials say no Minor League Baseball team will play there long-term.
The City Engineer, Rodney Tissue, told residents that it's "by far the worst stadium in the South-Atlantic League."
He says, "It's good to play ball in, but you won't see Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball played here. It just does not meet their standards anymore."
Some of the problems include the outfield that's 40 feet shorter than most other ballpark's in the minor leagues, and a hump in the left field. Still, some residents don't see why a change in venue is necessary.
Julie Rivett lives right by where the new downtown stadium is proposed to be built. She says, "I don't think that there's anything bad enough to constitute moving of a historical stadium of this magnitude."
City officials have said a new downtown stadium is necessary to revitalize, redevelop, and keep the Suns.
"The existing stadium is obsolete compared to many of the other stadiums that the club plays in the South-Atlantic League," Tissue says, "so you have a lot of the fan amenities that are missing here that you have at other stadiums."
A new multi-use facility that's proposed to be built on Summit Ave. and Baltimore St. would allow for other events like concerts, and even wedding receptions.
Though the city has secured some funds, some are worried about their tax dollars.
The President of the Hagerstown Tea Party, Don Hineman, says, "We feel that tax money should not be used. If they want to do it, the owners of the Suns and the Washington Nationals should be the ones to pay for the stadium."
Rivett says in support of the current stadium, "You can't touch and change where that home plate was."
Though many don't want to see City Stadium go, officials say no Minor League Baseball team will play there long-term.
Comments
Save the stadium? Um, no thanks. As a resident of Hagerstown I believe that it is more important to keep a minor league team here. If there is no new stadium built, the team goes. If the team goes, so does the revenue that the games bring in for some of our local businesses. Everyone is so scared of change, why? History, extra taxes, boohoo. Build the new stadium and enjoy another century of minor league baseball in Hagerstown. Frederick did it and it was the best thing that happened to their team.
chefprez c.
September 20, 2012 at 8:07 am
You can also go to this website where you will find a direct link under STATUS:
reverbnation.com/letthemgo
MD, county of WASHINGTON, and city of HAGERSTOWN Please voice your opinion by signing the petition...share through email, facebook, twitter...etc
those of your friends that do not have internet, they can call (240) 247-1555 and WE THE CITIZENS will gladly WALK, MAIL, or DRIVE a paper petition to them! Let's do this folks. Let's show them your VOICE! SAVE MUNICIPAL STADIUM and SAVE YOUR TAX DOLLARS!!!
Magdalene M.
September 20, 2012 at 6:46 am
Sign the Petition to save Historical Municipal Stadium and to save ALOT of tax dollars for State, County, and City of Hagerstown:
http://www.change.org/petitions/mayor-bob-bruchey-stop-negotiations-for-a-new-minor-league-stadium-now
Magdalene M.
September 20, 2012 at 6:40 am
