Oakland Park Baseball

Richard and I drove around berkeley today and checked out a number of fields, the most promising of which was at MLK Middle School. the field is in much better condition than it looks here and it's always accessible. full sized infield, decent depth to all fields (arguably somewhat shallow to right-center). There is no fence in right or right center, but there's an obvious cut-off (grass becomes cement) where a home run "should" be. There aren't any houses around and (as far as I know) the field is designated for public use on the weekends (i.e. we won't get kicked off) There's even a mound and what appears to be a recently reworked infield. As of right now I think this field is preferable to any of our current options.

There are still a few fields I would like to check out, but MLK would work as a location for the live game in a week and a half.

I don't see any reason to not try this idea for the March 2nd live game. Of course I've never been to the field, but you guys seem pretty convinced about it.

I'll check it in the morning to see if it could work as a backup-backup for tomorrow.

Hey I noticed that google map link actually shows two fields. I'm assuming you mean the one at 1781 rose st? I need to get this verified before I send out the email or set up the craigslist post. I'll call you if you don't see this.

I wish it were that field on Posen (that looks sweet, but private) but it is indeed the 1781 Rose field.

Weird, when I click the link it only shows one field :shrug:

the field on Posen belongs to St. Mary's College Preparatory Academy High School (or something redundantly pretentious like that) and it appears to be at least 100% inaccessible. The field that I'm referring to is in fact MLK middle school's field on the corner of Rose and Carlotta.

As another side note, I don't know for sure if the entrance on Rose (the path leading from the gate to the baseball field is clearly visible on google maps) is open on Weekends (it may be), but there is guaranteed access (no gate) if you enter on Hopkins and walk past the tennis courts, swimming pool and children's playground and up the stairs/ramp (the field will be to your right).

p.p.s. The North Berkeley BART Station is 8/10 blocks south of MLK on Sacramento (exit the BART Station and turn left on Sacramento, turn right on Rose (or Hopkins as the case may be) and follow that street until you see the school (on Rose)or the park (on Hopkins))

(i like parenthesis)

Hey, I talked to Richard and got clarified on which field, as well as on which entrance is most likely. So I sent out the email and made the craigslist post, pointing folks to the correct field. I emphasize for people to look to enter off of Hopkins as you describe. I say there might be a chance the field is accessible at the end of grant street, because the google map made it look like that was possible. I said that thing about the possible grant street access very tentatively though. So it's all about the hopkins street entrance and shit.

I did not, however, remember to talk about North Berkeley BART proximity, fuck.

PS: Ken, do you have a new email, I keep getting the email updates bouncing back to me with thelegend email. 'Cause there's no way you'd know we're playing if not for the email, haha.

oh ya, ureach seems to have randomly shutdown my account... i'm not sure why... luckily i barely used that account anyway, so i'm not to woried about it... you can reach me now at [mylastname].[myfirstname]@gmail.com

cuz... you know... how else would i know where the games were?

I talked to Will Jackson, Matt Cisco, and Nick Zigler, and they all stated their intent to participate. Of course Nick and I will be there, and probably Jason. With Richard, Kenyatte, maybe Flynn & Jimmy, we're starting to get a good turnout. Of course Dan Rivera is a lock. I've left messages for Chad Caliendo, Chris Adams, Michael Peloquin, and Carlos Escobar, and Darin Weston, and Nick is calling Pablo Ramirez and Pat Kelley.

Unfortunately, we can't get Dan Malkiel, Paul Coooper, or Peter Rich, as they moved or are out of town, those fuckers.

EDIT: Oh, and obviously I put up the Craigslist post and sent out the email to 150+ people.