Trending
Altoona loss
shouldn't be
blamed on field
I read the Mirror article "Defense collapse causes another Altoona defeat," stating that playing at Juniata contributed to the Mountain Lions' loss to State College on Thursday.
Juniata Sports Complex is run by a non-profit 503-C with a very limited budget that comes from selling advertising signs that surround the ballfield, grants and a few donations from local supporters.
The groundskeeper, Kirk Beichler, dedicates many hours researching how to improve the field and its structures on this limited budget. And he also dedicates endless hours of field prep so the baseball field is playable for the youth of the community.
To compare the Altoona Area School District's Mansion Park and the Peoples Natural Gas Field, with their budgets, is absurd.
The Altoona City League and AAABA play at Juniata every year, and neither blame "bad ball hops at the field" for losing a game.
Blaming a baseball field as an excuse for losing a game is ridiculous.
The reality is the team needs more fielding practice from the AASD coaches.
Be appreciative for the hard work and efforts at Juniata in assisting AASD baseball this season.
Jamie Dodson
Altoona