I attend many Altoona Curve games each season and enjoy the beauty of Blair County Ballpark. A couple of weeks ago, I decided to sit in the grandstand for a change. After looking out over the field, I was highly disappointed by the appearance of the outfield.
The grass has many large bare spots throughout that make the ballpark look hideous and cheap. On top of that, at the game that I went to, there was a large puddle of water on the warning track that got in the way when an Akron player had to leap over it to catch a flyball.
Why would a team that won the Professional Baseball Field of the Year just two years ago let the field deteriorate like this?
I found it fitting that ''Irish'' Pat Coakley left BCB and its poor field conditions on August 1. Apparently only ''highly respected, award-winning'' head groundskeepers bail on their employers when handed a rough time.
Derek Himes
Elmora
Hall conspiracy vs. Raiders
Is there really an anti-Raider conspiracy going on for Hall of Fame selections?
Ray Guy is the greatest punter ever. Yet, he isn't in the Hall. Punting is an unappreciated job, unless your punter stinks and you get in a field-position game. Then you want Ray Guy!
Ken Stabler not being in the Hall is an atrocity. Again, when your back is against the wall, the Snake is most likely to get you out of it. His off-field antics pale in comparison to Michael Irvin and Bobby Layne, not to mention fellow Raiders already in the Hall.
Every winning quarterback in Super Bowls I through XIX is in the Hall of Fame except Earl Morrall, Joe Theismann, Stabler and Jim Plunkett.
I think the selection process is disgusting.
I used to think the hatred a lot of football fans, and no doubt, Hall of Fame voters have for Al Davis had something to do with this. But then they inducted Al.
John Madden was distastefully overlooked for way too long. Bud Grant and Marv Levy beat John into the Hall, and they lost a total of eight Super Bowls.
I have visited the Hall of Fame twice, and I love it there. I could spend days touring it. But I have vowed not to return until Stabler, Plunkett and Guy are finally recognized.
Jeffrey Ward
Hollidaysburg
Impressive showing
Not many people can appreciate how much of an accomplishment it is for the Hollidaysburg American Legion Baseball team to win the Central Penn League, let alone the Region 7 title, too.
The effort far exceeds the recognition the team deserves. The pride earned by that effort will always be a part of the team and its coaches.
Kenneth Thomas
(Editor's note: The writer is a former Hollidaysburg American Legion baseball manager).
Pirates need MLB's help
For the fans of the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates, another year brings much of the same.
New administration, same losing record. New manager, same excuses. Another trade deadline, more selling off of decent players for prospects and no-names. Wasn't one LaRoche too many? (Now, the Buccos have two). More promises for the future, still no hope.
Maybe the solution would be for Major League Baseball and Bud Selig to try a page out of the NFL's playbook and have the commissioner's office step in and help solve this ongoing problem. Hell, where is Arlen Spector?
I am only a casual Pirates' fan, but enough is enough! The current Pirate organization desperately needs to change. Either make an honest effort to win (now, not in five or so years) or sell the team to Mark Cuban (that would at least be interesting). Or maybe, the MLB should pack up the Buccos and move 'em out of Pittsburgh.
I do not know if any of the above are the answer, but if we are ever going to see the Jolly Roger raised on a regular basis, something definitely needs to happen ASAP.
John T. Baum Jr.
Altoona
Time to pass torch at PSU
Does Penn State President Graham Spanier have any chutzpah?
Joe Paterno is no longer benefiting the university or the football program. His hubris is causing a once-proud program to sink into mediocrity. When is the last time we won the Big Ten outright or beat Michigan?
It's just time to pass the torch and it should be accomplished with an elegant transfer, but Joe's narcissism is going to make it ugly.
Spanier, for the good of the university, has to step up to the plate and declare this year Joe's last. By the virtue of Joe's lack of recent class and selfishness, he has forfeited his right to any decision in the successor plans.
Al Schiavoni
Mohnton, Pa.
