The Wilmington morning star., 1947-09-14

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despite the condition of the playing fied. We agree that the
came should have been played. m
But, we would also remind some of the critics that
they might have taken a trip out to Legion Stadium to see
the condition OF the so-called gridiron, and they might think
wisely about the men who operate Legion Stadium with a
nenny-pinching attitude.
It was a fact that the parking lot outside the stadium was
in much dryer shape than the field itself, being on higher ground.
II was also a fact that yesterday, Coach Leon Brodgen was digging
canals on one side of the field, in the hope that a pint of water
would run down the faulty drains, even when he knew the
clouds above were getting ready to toss down another thousand
gallons.
We believe Brog's decision, though in our mind not
correct was made with a great deal. Of courage and considera-
ton, and only after a great deal of thought.
We think the game should have been played in order to
make the fans see just what kind of a deal Brogden was up
against There was more than a ball game at stake. there was
the fact that possibly from a Friday night farce, z thousand fans
might have brought pressure to bear on the county commission
es for their stupid attitude toward sports in this community.
Yesterday afternoon we heard the high school officials
making plans to pay for help to get the field in shape, be-
cause the county does not believe its responsibility goes any
further than presenting the school with a wide expanse of
swampy area where the boys may put in an appearance. The
countys five per cent cut is, in fact, payment for space, not
for a football field.
There should be no need for this community to hang its
head in shame. Other cities have decent arenas for their, sports.
We have here a fine coach, good equipment, and excellent fans
But we have no place to play.
Let n o commissioner say at the end of this season, that
@Or Wildcats won the conference championship" There can
be no sense of pride, only shame for the messy mudhole
presented to Wilmington football and baseball fans.
What can be done, we do not know. But, a decent drainage
program might be started. If it's done elsewhere it can be done
here. And if the county thinks it can sit by and do nothing unless
. delegation of fans storm the commissioners chamber Monday
morning, then let's have that delegation do just that.
We can hear them saying, well take it under advise
ment," which generally means the waste paper basket will get
a new load.
While respecting Brpgden's decision, and admiring him even
more than before for his willingness to work like a beaver with
a shovel yesterday in a futile attempt to get the field in shape,
wa still maintain. however the game should have been played.
Postponing a football game is a touchy thing, and the
coach needed courage to do it. We do not regard this as an
attack on Brog and sincerely hope he will not consider it
such.
But. looking at the facts coldheartedly, we believe it was
mistake to push the game ahead a full "A hours. First, hundreds
of fans who realize grid contests are almost never postponed or
cancelled must have made plans to attend Friday night. No doubt
married couples had their baby sitters all signed to a Friday night
contractetc.
And anyone telling you that amateur high school
sports do not think of gate receipts is off the beam. .. support
of a school team is just as important as support of a pro
baseball squad.
Secondly, when these Wildcats get to college, they'll play a
scheduled game no matter what condition the gridiron may be in.
Games have been played in downpours, with thousands of fans
getting thoroughly soaked for sixty minutes. Games have been
played when a group of workmen had to break ice on the field
and games have been played in raging billiards..
The boys might just as well get used to it, since a large
percentage of them will get on varsity squads of collegiate
teams soneday.
Thirdly, what reason could possibly have led any part of the
coaching staff to think the field would be in much better condi
ton a day later, when Wimington's normal weather these days
calls for a rainfall a day, despite what the Chamber of Com
merce may say? The coach may counter with the statement that
the field couldn't be in any worse condition Saturday than it was
Friday, but our argument is just as logical and the schedule call
ed for a Friday game.
Are we to suppose that if the Cats opened play one
fine October night with the stars shining, and then long about
the five minute mark a ~cloudburst occurred, that the last
three periods of the contest would be postponed? Certainly
not and the reason for not calling it, is the same reason why
wet field Friday should not have forced postponement of
the Wadesboro tilt.
In October, when there will be several upstate college games
On 1he Saturday agenda,+ we dare say the Friday night game be-
tween the Cats and a foe would not be postponed despite the
"eather, because too many fans will jump in their cars and head
Tor Durham and Chapel Hill for their gridiron diet.
Brogden is, we hope, a big enough man to take this
clucls1n without being ired. A man in his position expects
jill OF his acts to be criticized, and in this particular case
we osagree with the MINIS mentor. There were too many
one persons to be considered, besides the boys who would
" playing on a poor field. Again we say his reason fer
p@lpohlng was admirable, we are sure, but it is our opinoin
"l the reason was not sufficiently powerful enough to war
rant the deed.
6Wt there is still the real thing to consider. Legion Stadium
vas idmlttedly in bad condition. Any field would have been soggy
'Wi the rain Wilmington has had. But, a good field, drained
properly, and kept in decent enough condition to warrant the
0zeh& satisfaction of the field operation, would have been
playable. .
IN other words, the drainage cannot be good enough
Nr q field in the county of New Hanover. We believe Urn
N, as do so many others we've talked to- who, though dis
agreeng with Brogs move, nevertheless hold high respect
LOT MS judgement, that the county can do no less than provide
decent sports arena for fans living here. BY, that we m can,
'"fect the obvious deficiency in the fields drainage system.
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