Fields: Variety & Flexibility

[Baseball=Life]

Hey, familiar theme here. I think it's time to revisit the Fields issue. Specifically, I think we are more informed now, though not yet completely informed about what our options are.

Fields that have proved usable: Curt Flood, Nicholl, McConnell
Fields that very well may be useable: Caldecott, Golden Gate, Raimondi, El Cerrito Vista, Arnerich
Fields I'm currently ignorant about but plan to check out: the Berkeley fields

Anyway, I figured I'd give a heads up that I want to be richer in the fields department, so we can provide variety and have ultimate flexibility, especially when/if permited user traffic increases as well as when/if weather issues force us to use other fields. Feel free to comment about various fields if you are inclined. And I know we've discussed this issue almost ad nauseum, but it never hurts to increase the number of fields in the rotation, and memories are imperfect.

[Tayster]

While the fields in Berkeley are good, you'll be hard pressed to find them open on a consistant basis...

[Baseball=Life]

Well the Berkeley fields were less than stellar. The 1720 8th street location is probably the best option, with possibly 2730 Hillegass being a bit better. Both would need some aerial analysis / measuring. They're probably both too small, but worth a check due to other upsides. 1720 8th street has a dragged field and nice grass, but again size may be an issue. Is the infield big enough? It seemed like Golden Gate size infield. It's pretty clean, foul poles both sides, outhouse on location, good cage to block foul balls, good location. 2730 Hillegass had a full size infield, but looked like it would possibly be locked up (I was there during recess so of course it was open). RF was marked at 243, but that may not inherently disqualify it from limited usage, depending on the other markers. Anyway, both aren't the strongest leads, but merit at least a quick overhead check. The HR robbery potential at both sites, and their excellent proximity to Oakland, are strong upsides. They both had probably a 25 foot fence in LF, and a 13 foot fence in RF, with the robbable portions being 6' fences in CF.

[Joe shmoe]

the one one hillegas is called willard field and thats were we have had practices, i remember it being fairly small, like smaller than nicholl i believe left is around 260, straight away is like 315, and right is 243. it is the box shape and so left and left center are shorter than nicholl. i just remember lightly swinging and bouncing a ball off the very top of the left center fence, and i also hit one out that went across the street in left center. on the accessibility of the field if it is locked up you can really easily slide under the rolled up fences along right field, if bubba can do it so can any one we play with(we dont call him bubba for nothing)

and the one on 8th street i dont know too much about, but i and quite interested in cause i work on 4th street. so i could come to a game, but i dont know anything about its dimensions

[Tayster]

The 8th street park is the same place where the berkeley skate park is, and will be the most heavily used of any fields in berkeley. (Richard, you should know the field, it's the one dedicated to Gabe)

[Tayster]

The 8th street park is the same place where the berkeley skate park is, and will be the most heavily used of any fields in berkeley. (Richard, you should know the field, it's the one dedicated to Gabe)

Nevermind about that, the one I'm thinking of is on like Gilman and 4th... not 8th street...

[Baseball=Life]

You fucking lying son-of-a-bitch. How dare you mislead us! hahha

Yeah, I'm going to get Caldecott checked this Sunday before I head over to Curt Flood. It's a nice field and would be good to get into the rotation... stat!

[Blancito21]

You fucking lying son-of-a-bitch. How dare you mislead us! hahha

Yeah, I'm going to get Caldecott checked this Sunday before I head over to Curt Flood. It's a nice field and would be good to get into the rotation... stat!

That would be a dream come true for me. I threw around on that field once and I've hoped to play there ever since. The backdrop could not be more beautiful. I'm assuming the issues with it would be use by leagues, especially soccer, since it is so nice and if my memory serves me right the infiled was small. Right?

[AntMoOAK]

Caldecott Park (now North Oakland Regional Sports Center) does indeed have a nice field however it is home to North Oakland Little League and various softball leagues. The main field (the 1st as you walk in ) is almost always in use. The second field is sometimes open but doesnt appear to be very desirable with no fence in left and t he RF fence only about 170 feet away.


Fielding East Field in Berkeley (actually Albany as it is on the other side of the Codornices Creek), next to Gabe Gatalfo Fields (E & W soccer) overall is a good size but the infield is short. I work down the street from here and eat my lunch in the parking lot and I used to see a sign highly discouraging the use of the field but as I sit here at work this morning, it is not in use.

I also throw into the hat Oakland High baseball field at 580 and Park Blvd. it has a new outfield and I've never seen it in use on the weekends except for O'High football games. Not sure of accesibility. Numerous buslines and an AM/PM across the street.

[Baseball=Life]

Thanks as always for the quality input everyone.

Caldecott Park (now North Oakland Regional Sports Center) does indeed have a nice field however it is home to North Oakland Little League and various softball leagues. The main field (the 1st as you walk in ) is almost always in use.

Dan M. checked Caldecott availability this morning, and no one was using it. He's checking it again right now to see if it's in use, and also to see how it handled the light rain. Of course, it's practically December, so usage will theoretically be at it's lowest right about now.

Fielding East Field in Berkeley (actually Albany as it is on the other side of the Codornices Creek), next to Gabe Gatalfo Fields (E & W soccer) overall is a good size but the infield is short. I work down the street from here and eat my lunch in the parking lot and I used to see a sign highly discouraging the use of the field but as I sit here at work this morning, it is not in use.

I haven't heard the names you're referencing here, are you referring to one of the fields mentioned above? (1720 8th street probably, or maybe 2730 Hillegass)

I also throw into the hat Oakland High baseball field at 580 and Park Blvd. it has a new outfield and I've never seen it in use on the weekends except for O'High football games. Not sure of accesibility. Numerous buslines and an AM/PM across the street.

There's an overhead of the Oakland High School field (possibly outdated now) in this thread: http://gohlkusmaximus.com/parkbaseball/ ... igh+school

I heard Oakland High School was all turf now, do I have it confused with another field? I think it was Nick who maybe told me this. I know Oak HS was renovated in the last year, so that makes me think maybe this was the turf field.

[AntMoOAK]

Fielding fields are at Approx. 5th and Harrison in Berkeley/Albany.

The photos of O high are outdated as they have new turf

[Joe shmoe]

would love to play on the field that is dedicated to Gabe, for sentimental reasons and work reasons, as fifth is right by 4th (maybe a block away). how small is the infield cause i know nichol is a little small but no one notices/cares?

[AntMoOAK]

Just to add a possible field to the mix-

Oakland High-- Don't know of its accessibility but it looks nice and is never in use on Sundays.

[Baseball=Life]

For sure, I'm interested in that field. But isn't it all artificial turf?

[Joe shmoe]

yes the field is turf