The Wilmington morning star., 1947-09-28

W. IN if STRAIGHT from n OrSe ulOut Tia 49,"
been spread around by many local sporsmen that Legion STADIUM
i. one of the finest athletic fields of its kind in the state
The q also told us straight from outta his tonsis, that
tbis nonsense had reached some members of the board OF
county commissioners who alegedly operate and keep up the
field.
We donbt seriously that any man calling himself a sports fan
would make such a remark, ard if he ever did, ne ought to be
careful who hears him, lest he be nabbed Tor oemg a Irun CAKE
OF course that phrase "of its kind might make the reports
true. We've gotta admit that Legion Stadium is unique. Inc
only thing missing is a bowling alley between first and second
base and four holes of golf in the outfield. Stick a tennis court
next to the untitled bitches or the sidelines and We'll have all
sports covered in one area.
Already a baseball game, horse race, and gridiron classic can
he played at the same time. 1t would be interesting TO "atcn.
The third basenan would probably get the ball from the center
and run forty yards for a three-bagger, while Whlrlaway was
paving 81 coming around the 50-yard line.
If Legion Stadium is a credit to New Hanover county and
Wilmington, then there are a lotta tiny towns in the south,
in the west, in the north, and maybe even in tile east that are
constructing, and have constructed, arenas far beyond ner
necessities.
As we understand it, racing interests, baseball interests, and
football followers got behind the county after much county
appealing and decided to build a sports field. So they tried to
please em all. They put up a race track but forgot to enclose
if. They made a diamond, and put it inside the track, and then
(his year at least) they failed to have any infield grass growing
(Which of course made it even harder to convert to footbalD.
Maybe the price of grass seed was beyond the budget lhey put
up uncomfortable stands, on one side of the field alone, and failed
to cover them for the fans protection. And then, thank Lord, they
ran out of ideas.
We haven't Travelled the Tobacco State league circuit so
can't honestly make local comparisons. But, we recall last year
in the state of Georgia usually not considered in the same
class as North Carolina when it comes to progressiveness) that
out of eight towns in the Georgia-Florida league, only one park
failed to have a grandstand roof. Not one failed to have infeld
grass. And not one of these towns boosted over $4,000 popula-
ton. And there were no race tracks, either.
Everyone of these towns supported its ball club better than
Wilmington supported the Pirates this year, though that's beside
the point But it is interesting to note, that with heavy clouds
overhead, no fans in the Georgia Florida loop, with the exception
of Albany fans, had to stay home for fear of rain, since they would
be protected by a shelter. That might have had something to do
with the small town of Moulhie (pop. app. 10000 turning out to
the tune Of 100000 fans last year with its drawing power cenered
only in the city itself as other clubs had franchises in cities just
80 miles away. This is about 10000 more than the Pirates drew
this year.
We see some $500 going for airport improvement, which
is excellent. We see some $4,000 being used for a new truck
route by the city, for which we have no comment to make,
knowing little about the matter. W. even see some cash being
kicked around for a portrait, and it's nice to know Wilmington
political leaders are artishcany inclined.
But, there doesn't seem to be any way to get some local govern
ment funds for sports. This is confusing and not amusing. 1t makes
the sports fan gnash his teeth, and ruin the devil out of his
fngernais, as he hops in his car and goes elsewhere to see a game.
It's rough on the infielder, who plays a grounder's bounce
perfectly and then gets hit in the eye because groundkeepers
can't do justice to a CRASHES infield.
It amt healthy for the halfback who in the early season, is
thrown for a loss or the pitchers mound. And it's frustrating for
the racing fan who sees a track with no horses and no pari- mutuel
windows while his two bucks burn a hole in his jeans.
We are not in accord with those who say Legion Stadium
is a fine field perhaps you've guessed that by now. We are
frank to say in our opinion it is a disgrace to the community
seems like we've said it before.
Inc county may say its just one mans opinion, and he's not
authority. The county is correct. We are in no way an authority
But, we would hesitate to sail through life pointing with
pride to something simply because it exists in our home COM
munity, and refusing to admit the defects that could so easily
be corrected, (and with a profit also).
Wilmington is too good, and too large, a city to have a stadium
SO obviously in need of change, we believe. But, it won't be too
hard to change ones mind, if Legion Stadium remains a all that
if offered for sports here.
1t isn't really the commissioners fault. Isn't their lob to
do the will of the people? And if the people do nothing, then
the commissioners jobs are easy ones.
AS far as sports go, we'd say the boys have had a swell va