The Wilmington morning star., 1947-10-05
P;nch-Hitter Needed

Should Wilmington baseball fans enjoy viewing some major
league ball players in action this month, they can go u faye'e7
vile, Whiteville, or Durham.
That's what the county has said bluntiy In cruising |"
ar,r nermission for the use of Legion Stadium to FRANK
Manner, skipper of the Masonboro Ramblers' who had sia'eo d
xame with a bunch of transforming Carolina major leaguers'
In words of few syllables the county has declared 10 "llnins
want to see the stars play? Well, you can go u
Fayetteville, Whitevile, or Durham"
According to Maner, the county daddies were of the opinion
that it would be too costly to remake the stadium for one night
of baseball. That night was scheduled to be Oct. 10 the nlght
before a bunch of motorcycles will rocket around the race track
on the outer edges of the field. Coincidence?
Since the New Hanover High Wildcats do not play at
home until Oct. II when they engage the Eastern Carolina
Teachers college frosh, it would seem to us that there was
ample time to have made it possible for local baseball follow
es to get a peek at the major league stars.
These are the same fans who packed the STADIUM curing N
Pirate season here. and made it possible for the county to receive
a choice slab of the gate receipts. These are the same fans VINO
have the crazy idea that they are citizens OF a city IN winch
there should be no smaller amount OF sports offered 'han IN a
city the size of Whitevlue.
They are probably the same persons who believe firmly
that local government property belongs to the people, and
should be used for the benefit and enjoyment OF the people.
It's extremely difficult to see how the county could feel that
it was doing the bidding of the residents of New Hanover county
in refusing to let a pitchers mound be built and four bags laid
down for one night of baseball. Wilmington is not the worst base
ball city in the nation. and certainly from checking the total at
tendance at Pirate games, it should be evident even to the county
bosses that the chances were extremely good that the people c
Wilmington would favor the appearance of the major leagu
players here.
Not being an engineer, we cannot compute accurately the
cost of fixing ethe field for baseball. But. we EAR say this -.
if as little was done to change over to baseball, as was done
to change over to football this year, the expense would have
been mighty small.
Moving some transportable bleachers to one side. and erecting
a hurting slab temporarily, and perhaps cutting what grass has
grown in the infield, certainly would not add up to such an
expense that the county cut from the game itself would not off
set it.
So perhaps there was another good reason why Maners
request was refused.
Giving the county every benefit of the doubt, land this isn't
easy in view Of the past record of sports here) we still can't see
how the commissioners refused the request with a quick wave of
Their hands, and did not even look into the thing to see if it
could be done.
1t might be pointed out here that this travelling bunch of
major leaguers probably forms its own opinion of Wilmington,
and there is no better Cor worse) way to advertise than by
word of mouth. They will not study the reasons for a refusal
-. they will only remember the refusal itself.
II mght also be pointed out that practically every mem
Der OF the group playing before other Tar Heel fans, are from
this state. They are attempting to give pleasure to North Carolina
baseball fans in exchange for a bit of cash. MANY of them are
worm more dough than the entire Legion Stadium.
% we eVloently Will not get a chance to see Rudy York,
BUDDY Lewis, Taft Wright, Jimmy Brown and the rest of them
mere But, cheer up, it's not too far to WhiteviIe.
It's things like these that make this writer think the recent
suggestion offered by one of the city leaders that a Wilmington
Athletic association be formed is a good one.
We would add to this suggestion. We would have this
association formed quickly, and have it take over the sale
operation of Legion Stadium, S that Wilmington sports fans
will not continue to get cheated. The county, we feel. has
proven itself incapable of understanding the importance of
sports. We say, clean house here, and let somebody else run
the only sports arena in Wilmington, worse luck.
A guy named Casey once proved in Legend. that IFS bettar IN
go down swinging than never try. Babe Ruth proved its the hits
mat count not the times at bat. He did this by striking out more
times than any other man in baseball history. but also nv oettino
the most home runs.
The county has been up to bat many times, We don't hold
that against it.
But, its bat ing average in Wilmington sports is mighty moor
It's time for a pinch hitter.