The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1954-03-18
BEHIND
HOME PLATE
BY H. S. DOUGLAS

S~S>>~0N>S - -
Through the fine efforts of the
Mayor and Council, the Field Athle-
/ tic Association and the front office
of the Hagerstown Baseball Club,
Hagerstown will have just about the
best lighting system of any stadium
in the Piedmont League.
In addition to that, fans will find
that the grandstand is in better con-
dition than it has been in long time.
Some sixteen thousand dollars IS
being spent by the city to complete
w modernize the lighting system.
The two poles on the playing field,
one on the foul line beyond third
base. and the other on the foul line
in short right field, are being moved
back. and the overhead wires that
ran across the diamond in left and
right field, are being eliminated.
New type sealed-beam lights are
being installed and there will not
only be more lights on each pole,
but there will also be two additional
poles. with the whole system syn
chronized by an out-of-town expert,
so that every inch of the playing
field will be fully Illuminated.
AS far as the grandstand is con-
cerned. it is also being modernlzed.
The entire front section of the stand,
including the first and second rows
of reserved seats is being rebuilt; the
underpinning is being considerably
strengthened; all new roofing is be-
ing installed; the press box is being
practically rebuilt and the entire
grandstand is being painted.
With these improvements and a
brand new ball club, including new
manager, baseball fans of Hagers-
town and the surrounding area have
really got something to look forward
to and they should keep the turn
stiles clicking merrily throughout
the season.
Manager Paul Campbell and his
squad are now at the Washington
Senator's Training camp at Winter
Gardens in Florida and by the time
they get ready to leave on April 10,
we should have pretty good idea
regarding the makeup of the team.
Gene Raney, owner of the club, is
with the squad in Florida and you
can rest assured that he will keep
closely in touch with the officials of
the Washington Senators, to insure
his getting the best players for his
team.
The city administration has done
its part in putting this stadium in tip
top shape, the Washington Senators
front office has assured Mr.. Raney |
that they will furnish him with
a team that will stack up with any
thing else in the Piedmont League,
and Gene Raney. as always, will go
all out to give Hagerstown team
that will be in the thick of the fight |
from the opening game.
So come on fans, let's really get
behind the team this year.
The Boy Scouts are busy right now
selling tickets for the opening game
on April "a, so why not pick yours
up from the first Scout that comes
along. Remember, that in addition
to helping swell the attendance for
the opening game, you will be help
ing the Scouts, for the money they
earn by selling these opening game
tickets will provide uniforms, camp
ing and other requirements of good
Scout Troop.
Istopped by the Hospital on Mon
day afternoon to visit for awhile with |
s'Whitey" Bachtell, veteran employee
of the City, in the Tax Department,
who also operates the scoreboard at
the Municipal Stadium during the
baseball season.
Whitley, who underwent a hernia
operation on Friday night, is getting
along fine. In fact, when entered
his room, he was sitting up in bed,
reading the evening paper and look /
ing like "a two-year-
Congratulations to the Lions team
on winning the championship of the
Junior Basketball League:
Congratulations, also, to the Police,
Optimist and Fountaindale teams,
who finished second, third and fourth |
respectively, in the playoffs.