Viewpoints
Ketchikan Year Round Baseball
By Neil Gray
July 30, 2007
Monday PM
Those persons who are promoting some form of year round baseball
batting cages and/or some form of facility for baseball are right
on track. In the years I was involved in Ketchikan baseball,
from T-ball right through High School and American Legion , I
saw quite a few ball players who could be very competative with
the talent here in Southern California. In the years I umpired
in Oregon and California after leaving Alaska, I compared the
talent to what I witnessed in Ketchikan, and believe me, we had
some kids there who would fit right in.
Obviously weather plays a role and limits any outisde participation.
Here in San Diego it's year round because the weather is condusive
to 12 month baseball schedules. However, there are also some
indoor batting cages available.
While soccer has grown in popularity, baseball in places like
Ketchikan seems to have lost some luster in gaining support.
I don't know what the solution is (not totally true), but it
seems maybe a corporate sponser could put together a program
and facility. Donation requests run rampant for all the various
organizations, and I know people can't donate to all. Money
just doesn't go that far.
The last time Ketchikan Little League All Stars were in the Western
Regionals I made it to San Bernadino to attend the games. When
the fans found out I was cheering for Alaska, they made comments
about how competative Ketchikan was, considering the extremely
short season available to them. Add a few months where the kids
can devote some more time to the basic skills, and you might
some day see some Ketchikan names on pro and major college rosters.
From what I read on here from time to time, and since I'm now
considered an "out of stater" I doubt my opinions on
any solutions would be welcome.
Keep playing.... Maybe some day the goals will be realized.
Neil Gray
Lakeside, CA
Received July 28, 2007 - Published
July 30, 2007
About: " Former 20 year
resident of Ketchikan, and baseball coach/umpire and KTKN baseball
broadcaster"
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