a new field

Joe shmoe · Post by **Joe shmoe** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 9:15 pm

me and ken have started practicing at this field right by his house. and the more we practice there the more i think its the best field. the field honestly looks like a real field, like professional quality

it pluses are it is extremly well kept, like i think it gets mowed weekly. which makes play more enjoyable. the mound is basically brand new there isnt the slight pothole either on the rubber or in front of rubber. so pitching in a live game would be perfect.

the down sides are the field is huge, which doesnt bother me that much but the right field line says its 363'. but i dont believe it as i feel i could drop one over the fence and i cant hit 363. left field doesnt have a fence at all and it is a box shape with a diamond at each corner. so center field is probalbly the same as flood if not a little bigger.

any thoughts

tallguy · Post by **tallguy** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 10:06 pm

Well, my only concern is that El Cerrito is kind of far, but I guess it's not much different from Nicholl in Richmond, and I don't mind that at all.

TheLegend · Post by **TheLegend** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 10:18 pm

I really like the field and i think it would be great for non-live games. According to google earth it's ~340 to right, ~460 to center and ~320 to left (there is no fence in left, but this is the measurement to the walkway beyond the left field grass). I like this field (and any other large field) because I feel like the ball should stay in play in non-live games. I've always said that I feel like a homerun (that leaves the park) that was hit off of your own teammate is dumb because it completely negates the opposing team- it's extremely anti-competitive. The fact that there is no fence in left isn't a major issue because, due to the depth of the field, if there was a fence in left, it would never come into play anyway. Another plus to the field is that the backstop doesn't have those annoying wings or hangover, so balls that are popped up will become outs, as they should be, instead of foul balls.

The major downside to the field (which is a rather major downside) is that there are plants/trees etc. down the left field line, and there is the potential for many lost balls.

Also, this field is in El Cerrito, so it's a longer commute for most of you guys. It's pretty much halfway between the two el cerrito bart stations, but isn't an impossible walk from either (even with gear) at about 3/4 of a mile, it's also only a few blocks from a 72/72R stop (moeser lane). The last concern is that i have no clue whether or not it is in use on sunday mornings.

The best things about this field are the size (which may be a personal preference of mine that isn't shared by many people), the backstop (again, just a preference) and that the field is well kept and seems to drain well.

I would be interested in giving this field a test run.

AntMoOAK · Post by **AntMoOAK** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 12:59 am

Gotta have a fence man... That is a beautiful field (Cerrito Vista) though. But I need something to aim for- even if I don't hit it over.

Other big fields again- Oakland High. Park/MacArthur. Brand spanking new field not in use on Sundays. Good for live games. AM/PM right across the street. McConnell gives me the creeps. Ya'll might not be from around here, but I know these 'hoods and stuff can jump off at anytime. 79th and Olive isn't bucolic as ya'll might think.

Joe shmoe · Post by **Joe shmoe** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 1:16 am

LMAO

antmo thats hella funny that you of everyone well play with is a little worried about the hood 79 and olive. don t get me wrong its the hood and there is some shady shit that goes down.

i just find it funny that the big black dude is worried about the hood instead of someone like say daniel tompos.

im just saying if i were to choose who i was gonna jack between the 2 of you i would go with daniel (call me crazy)

but then again i wouldn t try to jack the dude who not only has a bat but his 15 to 20 friends also all have bats.

and i know guns beat bats

AntMoOAK · Post by **AntMoOAK** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 1:39 am

It's not me I'm worried about. Ya' dig ? I actually used to live on 77th and Bancroft around the corner (when it was a little safer) and have played in that park (Arroyo Viejo) many an afternoon.
I bullshit you not, I've seen folks playing company softball and get jacked at some of these ballfields. YES even with bats and ostensibly more numbers.

This is not an indictment of people in the 'hood. I've been there too. But, don't be stupid neither. When it's warmer out, there are A LOT more people out and some are always hustlin for somethin' [/b]

Joe shmoe · Post by **Joe shmoe** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 2:00 am

for sure

the last time i checked most ghetto fools live in the ghetto

i am not a fan of McConnel, because it can be very hard to get and even more so if you dont have a car. i know i get a ride all the time but leaving is still a concern. nothing like 50 block skate through the ghetto on a sunday afternoon.

AntMoOAK · Post by **AntMoOAK** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 2:05 am

You've got balls my man and for that ... They'd leave you alone and would jack me in my truck. The hood can be cool too. If it were a little warmer, the park would have also been permeated with the smell of meat being grilled by the multitudes.

Post by **retep** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 8:03 am

I agree with AntMo that a fence is needed. Flood is already way too big for us. I contend that the fence helps fielders position themselfes better.

I really don't want to get into this whole fuckin' debate again. I'm done!

Blancito21 · Post by **Blancito21** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 9:46 am

retep wrote:I agree with AntMo that a fence is needed. Flood is already way too big for us. I contend that the fence helps fielders position themselfes better.

I really don't want to get into this whole fuckin' debate again. I'm done!

Well pardon me for bringing you back into this Peter but what makes Curt Flood so big for us? Because we can't go yard off 25 mph lob balls as you once did many moons ago? I believe for the sake of keeping a smidgen of the integrity of the game, it's to our benefit to play larger fields like Flood where long fly balls ar exactly what they should be, OUTS!! Also, with our style of pitching, I opine that the gap hitter should be rewarded for sticking to fundamentals and hitting hard line drives that roll past the outfielders and turn into doubles and triples. Those who see the self-locating, slow pitching as a chance to swing for bombs should be UNMASKED AS THE FRAUDS THEY ARE. (I know a little dramatic, but I feel strongly about this.) I can position myself differently, yet accurately with every hitter regardless of a fence based on tendencies and current pitcher. It's not that hard if you just pay attention and study the players. Also, I didn't really see much of a debate here but a suggestion from participants who are consistently trying to improve our groups situation.

I have now become arbitration-eligible. Seemed like forever but I respect that. Nice.

Post by **Baseball=Life** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 9:58 am

The moments I find most exciting are going to check the field status at 8:45 AM when the early morning shady types are hanging out.

Joe shmoe · Post by **Joe shmoe** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 12:46 pm

The moments I find most exciting are going to check the field status at 8:45 AM when the early morning shady types are hanging out.

damn those crackhead must either have a lot of crack or a lot of stamia

Gotta have a fence man... That is a beautiful field (Cerrito Vista) though. But I need something to aim for- even if I don't hit it over.

true, maybe just aim for the trees in left

and i totally agree with daniel that sending a bomb when the other guy just serves it up on a platter, that isnt impressive at all. but when he is trying to get you out thats a whole nother story and i say let the bombs fly.