I'm having a hard time with writing this.
I spent years rooting against you as the only time that I watched my beloved Cleveland Indians on television was against the Orioles on local stations with you as the face of the opposition.
Heck,I even wrote an article on this very page that argued that you were overrated as a player.
So,I certainly do not write this out of hero worship and certainly not because of loyalty to the Orioles,
However,it has become apparent to me that you might be the only person capable of saving the Hagerstown Suns for this town and likely this state.Our region is surely rural compared to the more urban areas of the state ,we rank among the smallest cities to host a full season baseball team and the Suns attendance ranks around the bottom of the South Atlantic League
So considering those issues,I can see why Hagerstown baseball does not seem like a good investment and why so many are giving up on our town and our team.
I'm here to convince you differently.
Hagerstown had the same dumpy facility in the 80's and attendance was through the roof to the point of reaching AA level baseball.
I realize some of that was due to neighboring Frederick not having a team at that time,but it was the success of smaller Hagerstown that led to the establishment of the Frederick Keys.
Ask your brother,Billy,a Suns alumnus about the rabid fans when he was a member of our infield and about the support that team received back then.
I realize times changed,more teams are around now than at that time and Municipal Stadium has only gotten older,but I still believe in Hagerstown baseball and with a little rehabilitation,this can be a baseball hotbed again.
The problem is the proverbial Catch 22 on a badly needed new facility.
Politicians say "Why should we build a new stadium when you are struggling to draw fans?".
The various ownership groups that have owned the team offer this "We struggle to draw fans because no one wants to come to a dilapidated facility,so we need a new stadium".
I can see both sides,but let's face it-fans want the modern amenities that Municipal Stadium cannot have,even with the will and few older stadiums have the lack of charm of the Muni.
It is the park that I grew up with,but even I realize the need for a new facility (Preferably with the covered grandstand as a nod to tradition) and without it-there can be no future...
That said,politicians here are short sighted and lack the vision to see that the loss of pro baseball means a loss of prestige and a commodity that they can never get back.
The Frederick Keys would instantly control the Hagerstown territory and would gain immensely in attendance without baseball here,much as the Suns gained from there being no team in Frederick,so their financial bottom line would have no reason to approve a new team in the Hub City.
Independent baseball has been floated as a possibility,but the Atlantic League is building new stadiums,so if the will is not there for a new field now,why would it change later?
Besides,if you have to build a facility,why not just keep the tradition alive now?
The Suns are not without blame either.
There have been various ownership groups through the years and things have deteriorated though the years without continuity or local ownership.
There is plenty that could be changed,although I would keep certain members of the front office as some of the current staff ranks among the best the team has employed since I have attended games.
Still,one cannot make chicken salad from chicken feathers and many good ideas simply cannot be done due to the constraints of doing business at Municipal Stadium.
Back to you,I could offer you several ideas and two even would incorporate Municipal Stadium.
1 issue constantly comes up with Municipal-the hill in left field that cannot be removed.
One idea that I thought of was this-If Municipal was to be renovated,move home plate and the bleachers back a bit and put the hump out of the field of play.
Another idea that was given to me was bring a left field wall inside the fence and make it 20 feet high and that eliminates the hill as well.
That then allows a renovation similar to Lynchburg's stadium that builds a new stadium around the existing field.
Greenville and Asheville have similar features on their fields,so it is not that huge of a deal.
The Suns aren't interested in that and I cannot blame them plus the city drags its feet over everything,so I would ask you this-Why can't you come and educate them?
Who better than the biggest name in Maryland baseball and it is your company that has done the research on the stadium possibilities,so why not you?
A man of your stature would go so far in helping to get this ball rolling and selfishly,I cannot imagine a politician willing to stick out their neck by rebuffing Cal Ripken,so just you taking one day would go so far to save our team.
I'll even go further-why not purchase the team?
Ripken Baseball is selling the Augusta Greenjackets,so you could own the Suns,where you could not before.
Bruce Quinn might be tired of dealing with such a stale group of politicians that is unable to get past personal wishes,perhaps a deal could be made there.
I've never met Mr.Quinn and do not presume to speak for him,but I know if I dealt with these people for as long as this has taken,I'd consider tossing in the towel too.
Adding another Maryland franchise to your group would add local ownership and prestige for Washington County to be associated with the greatest name in Maryland baseball.
In closing,Mr Ripken,Hagerstown baseball is a sleeping giant,one that is down for now,but not for the count.
You can help save baseball in this area,whether by investing one day to talk to the uninformed or more time if you wish.
Time is running short,you may be our last hope....
Sincerely
Shawn.....
Photo Credit:CrossCOuntryRoads.com
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