Oakland Park Baseball

So, let's use this thread to discuss how we felt about the new field, Golden Gate Field (at 62nd and San Pablo Ave in North Oakland).


I thought it had many great aspects to it. I like the size of the outfield, and the infield is just big enough to be worth it. The infield is probably 90% the size of Curt Flood, just an estimation. That makes GG much bigger than the small DeFremery infield.

I wonder how often the outfield gets mowed? It was nice and soft out there for outfielders' dives, but the ball's momentum died as soon it hit the grass, unless you hit it to the other infield, the one past CF---then it would roll all the way to that infield's backstop. With a recently mowed outfield, it will be top priority for Centerfielders to not let anything get past you and past the grass, or who knows how far it will roll!?

I'm wondering if RIGHT FIELD was adequate. There was concern about water puddles and mud in what would've been our far right field, just past the foul line in fact, way out there, far away from home plate. Where Ken almost made the webgem catch.

I like the location, very central, near mass transit, near a store. Seating, great foul ball protection (ie we only lost 1 or 2 balls yesterday, all else stayed in retrievable areas).

Many positive aspects.

The infield is a little on the small side, but besides that I like it. I still prefer Curt Flood, as the grass and the extra X feel make life a little less hectic for infielders (particularly corner infielders, and third more than first because most of us are right handed pull hitters).

In terms of convenience, this field is definately easier to get to which I'm sure is a big plus for many of us.

It goes without saying that this field is 1000000x better than Defremery.

TheLegend wrote:It goes without saying that this field is 1000000x better than Defremery.

I was stating something very similar while we were playing there. The trees in LF help to define the foul line, but it has the same problem as Franklin concerning the "foul pole" in RF. However, this is no longer an issue since we have just procured a new push mower like the one Pat's parents let us borrow. (Thank you, Pat.) We will now have much more accurate foul lines with the new mower.

Also, it was very difficult deciding where to place the bases without risking injury to the baserunners. The lip of the grass is just a little bit too close to line up the bases with the rubber, but the way we had them was perfect. I mean the-game-went-into-extra-innings perfect.

Eventually, we can mow out the infield (specifically at 3B) to avoid the issue with the foul ball shield blocking the basepath. Just like the dugout at DeFremery, it makes rounding third at high speeds very difficult and dangerous. In fact, I'm boycotting games at both Golden Gate and DeFremery until they are adjusted to allow for my incapability to avoid running into a solid, stationary metal pole.

No, but all kidding aside, we really will mow it back to make the game safer. Also, anyone who can load up on free dirt or sand should bring a couple of bags to the next game we play there to absorb the nasty shit in deep RF.

I think Golden Gate is the perfect size for our skill level. It's possible for the better hitters to get the ball over the fence, and the outfield is big enough for the slap and pull hitters to drop singles in the gaps. The infield is a bit small, but every play was close, and the amount of double plays confirms this. Another positive aspect of the field is the mound. This allows for possible live game practice or even a secondary field if we can't use Curt Flood.

I'd even slightly prefer Golden Gate over Curt Flood if it wasn't for the obvious downsides (outfield swamp, smaller dirt infield, next to major traffic artery.) I would definitely choose GG over DeFremery any day. It's much better suited to our size.

I'm not saying we should skip the remaining DeFremery games by any means. It's where the whole thing started, and we should play those games out. I'm just saying I'm not going to get too nostalgic about DeFremery for a while if we stay at GG instead.

Southpaw Slim wrote:...we have just procured a new push mower like the one Pat's parents let us borrow.

This is great news. No longer will balls smashed (I should phrase that differently) down the lines be in question.

Southpaw Slim wrote:We will now have much more accurate foul lines with the new mower.

Awesome.

The first step is mowing the lines, and then we upgrade to laying chalk down on the mowed paths. Once we've done that, then we'll even be able to see chalk fly from all over the field on balls that hit the foul line itself. NOTE: We have not gotten a chalking device yet. Only ones we're finding right now are over $100.

Rich, do you still have that information about where to find a cost-effective chalking device?

Southpaw Slim wrote:...we will mow it back to make the game safer.

Nifty, I'll be safe! Yippee! hahahaah but yeah, that will be good to create more space to round third.

Southpaw Slim wrote:Also, anyone who can load up on free dirt or sand should bring a couple of bags to the next game we play [at Golden Gate] to absorb the nasty shit in deep RF.

Yeah, it's like a dense ecosystem out there..... I can't really figure it out. I wonder if burying it with sand/dirt would address the issue. I don't understand where the water is coming from.

I need the perspective of the other right fielders on the issue of how (or whether) to deal with that crazy puddle/swamp area out past the foul line in RF of Golden Gate.

Ken?

Paul?

I don't think it's that big an issue, the area in question is very unpleasant but not that big, and it is also in very shallow right field, where we don't get that many balls landing.
Probably if we dump a bunch of sand on it that would help, I can't see it making it worse!

the area where I slipped / fell was in the RF foul territory under the trees. As Paul pointed out, there's also a pit o' gross in shallow right... neither of which are particularly high traffic areas at our games. Although I could see a hard grounder kersplatting into the area in short-right. but that would be funny

Paul, I think you may not know where exactly we're talking about. Underneath the trees down the RF line, near the fence and -- coincidentally -- right in the heart of Will and Carlos' power alleys. If any RF'er wanted to make a diving catch for a game-saving out, they'd be faced with skunky goop and a mouth full of algae. I would avoid playing RF until that area is filled in.

Well, guys, unfortunately I think we have to revisit the issue about whether or not to use this field.

The 11/20 game revealed two major flaws of Golden Gate Field:

1) Wetness --- the outfield seems to be permanently and inexplicably wet.

2) Sun --- at the wrong time of day the sun is right behind home plate, so it's in every single fielder's eyes.

Also a potential minor flaw:

3) Turnout --- I'm not sure if it's because of Golden Gate, but our turnout has suffered since we began using it.

Now, I don't want to throw the baby out with the bathwater, because the field certainly does have many strengths, especially the overall dimensions.

My belief is that there must be some time of year when the outfield is less wet. I also wonder whether we could use a device to try to flatten it out a bit. When we played there a month ago, it was more flat--it didn't have those big tire tread marks in centerfield, for instance.

I also think that the sun-in-your-face issue can be ameliorated by simply starting on time. Can anyone confirm this for me by stating at what time the sun was actually an issue? And the sunlight issue can also be addressed by using the field in different times of year.

To summarize:

There are obvious strenghs and drawbacks to Golden Gate Field.
Can we lessen the drawbacks by using some of the above ideas?

Finally,

Don't worry, this isn't an attempt to go back to DeFremery. It would probably be easier if we could find a way to make Golden Gate work, instead of the alternative, trying to find a new field.

Then again, I'm certainly open to going and checking out a really high potential field, just let me know where to go. Take into account dimensions, accessibility, field conditions, location, etc.

If a field is not good, we shouldn't use it.

The sun was an issue for me most of the game from second base, staritng with popups.

Even if we start on time, we could not handle a double header. Maybe this is not an issue in the spring?

AntMo seemed to have other good fields in mind. I would rather try a new field than keep trying a failed try.

I did like GG park at first, but it's just too big of a mess!