American legion state baseball tournament

[boy of summer]

Maybe I missed it but is any spokesperson from OU ever going to say what caused this to happen? I have read the legion statements which very specifically thanked everyone but the OU Athletic Department. This is bad for OU, Athens and southeast Ohio. Again, why did this happen or will we never hear OU's version?

[alabama mike]

You would think the OU head baseball coach would welcome the state tournament to Athens. Just think of the free recruiting you can do by just showing up, shaking a few hands and watching baseball games at your faciltiy along with Athens High School and Dalton Field. You would think the OU baseball staff would want to see kids from around the state come to Athens and play baseball in their park. You would think the contacts made would be a great source of getting players to think about coming to OU to play baseball. You would think the baseball staff of OU would also recruit kids from the southeastern part of the state but IF YOU THINK THAT... YOU THINK WRONG!

[bucknut 23]

I was "kind of" involved with a pretty successful American Legion team for nine seasons back in the 1990's and had several kids that went to high D-I universities and many others who went to low D-I schools. Many others went on to college at other levels and a couple even got drafted. We were also in the state legion tournament six out of those nine years and finished third three separate years and fourth one time.

Never, not one time. did I ever have contact with OU coaches other than a casual "hi, how are you" greeting. They never personally came to watch any of our kids play even with it being fairly close to Athens and this was when The Ohio State University was a regular attendee to many of our games and pre-game routines along with several other Division I universities.

I have no idea why, other than I always heard that they didn't want to look bad if they got a local kid and he didn't end up panning out, plus with it being close they didn't want a situation where a boy could end up heading home any time he wanted to if he got a little homesick and possibly not stick. Other than that I have no idea why because I know for a fact that we had several kids who were OU worthy who played during the years of my involvement with this very successful American Legion program.

Sad to hear that the state legion tournament will no longer be at OU as it was always a great thrill to be able to come play in Athens during that first week in August whether it was as a player, coach, or just a fan in general. Now as far as missing the days before air conditioning in the dorms, well, we won't be missing that I'm sure!!!

[javon white]

Teams and players I have been associated have encountered very similiar experiences bucknut and alabama mike. I do not and never will understand the lack of interest in local athletes.

[Pol pot]

Two Words: Joe Carbone!

Carbone did not want the games to be played on his precious field, the guy needs to give it up!

[greatwhale]

Two Words: Joe Carbone!

Carbone did not want the games to be played on his precious field, the guy needs to give it up!

You are exactly right on that !! The Regional State Legion Tourney was all but pretty much a done deal a couple years ago and guess who shot it down?? His reason was because they were going to play more that two games a day on it..

[javon white]

Wow! Did not know that they had a chance to get the regional legion tourney. The State legion had to be a boom to get not only athletes but also to get students to take a look at OU as well as the local economy. I can only imagine the tremendous exposure having the regional tourney would have given OU both in recruiting potential students and athletes not to mention filling the local economy with even more money. Wow again!

[Steely Dan]

Some people can't see the forest through the trees.......

Shame on the administration of OU to allow Carbone to act like he has for as long as he has. Yea, they just let him get away with it. Reminds me of the old joke "Where does an 800 lb gorilla sit?"... Wherever he wants!!!!!

The economy is in the crapper, the university is in a budget crunch, the city of Athens is behind in tax revenues, and now this happens. It appears that there is ZERO accountability from anyone at OU about the loss of this event and the economic impact as a result of the loss. Big surprise!!!

I attribute this to regressive thinking on the part of OU, perhaps even apathy on their part.

I look at the investment the city of Columbus, Huntington Bank, and Nationwide Realty made in planning, designing, and building Huntington park in Columbus. Not only has it been a boon for the Clippers, but you ended up with the Big Ten baseball tournament being played there on a trial basis (which from what I understand is now a multi-year deal), and the OHSAA baseball tournments being played there as well. For Christ's sake, this is a professional baseball stadium and you don't see the Clippers organization saying "Oh no, you can't play there if you are going to play more than one game a day there". Look at the economic benefit to Columbus, as well as exposing a great ballpark to alot of out-of-town folks, who are coming to these events. The Clippers organization will reap the benefits of having some of the out-of-town folks come back to fill the seats at Clippers games. Oh, to see the forest through the trees........

Ugh. This situation with the legion tournament just makes me want to throw up. What a shame.......

[boy of summer]

Someone enlighten me. Has OU issued a press release or will OU ever issue a press release to address this situation and what, in their opinion, caused it to occur or was it swept under the rug? Will we have to revisit it in about 20 years to find out what happened on "Unsolved Mysteries" or will we have to find out watching "Cold Case" who is responsible?

[Keyser_sozeThrice]

Joe Carbone once actually uttered the following two words to describe Wren Stadium:

"His field"

Key word here being "his", but the name of the stadium is in fact Bob Wren Stadium

[boy of summer]

Bottom line:

Up side of having tourney in Athens: Legion tourney brings in $400,000 to area; brings in potential students and athletes; tremendous good will to university and most importantly honors the American Legion and its great veterans who clearly deserve every honor bestowed upon them and who run this outstanding tournament. American Legion and its baseball component is a great organization that had a university and southeast Ohio benefitting from its tournaments for over 40 years.

Downside of having tourney in Athens and using OU's facilities: Absolutely none.

As quoted in the Athens Messenger on 2-3-10, the Legion cited "deteriorating support for the tournament from certain segments of Ohio University..."Support, cooperation and to some extent, the attitude."

The American Legion and its tournament after 40 plus years definitely deserved better than how they were treated by OU it appears. OU needs to defend/explain their actions (or inactions) in this matter. They probably won't, but they clearly should. Probably because they can't.

[Yossarian]

Bottom line:

Up side of having tourney in Athens: Legion tourney brings in $400,000 to area; brings in potential students and athletes; tremendous good will to university and most importantly honors the American Legion and its great veterans who clearly deserve every honor bestowed upon them and who run this outstanding tournament. American Legion and its baseball component is a great organization that had a university and southeast Ohio benefitting from its tournaments for over 40 years.

Downside of having tourney in Athens and using OU's facilities: Absolutely none.

As quoted in the Athens Messenger on 2-3-10, the Legion cited "deteriorating support for the tournament from certain segments of Ohio University..."Support, cooperation and to some extent, the attitude."

The American Legion and its tournament after 40 plus years definitely deserved better than how they were treated by OU it appears. OU needs to defend/explain their actions (or inactions) in this matter. They probably won't, but they clearly should. Probably because they can't.

Sadly it is society in general and this university in particular that has forgotten who gave them the freedom to have a field to play on. I attended a graduation the other day and two teenagers behind me (with their parents) sat through the National Anthem. Ohio University has embarassed themselves and insulted those that bled and died in the process. Shameful, and somebody should stand up (if they have enough courage ) and explain themselves. I for one will not forget what this university has done to our veterans in this situation.

[boy of summer]

I have asked this question many times-When is OU going to issue a statement on this fiasco? Why has the Athens Chamber of Commerce not chimed in as well on this public relations and economic fiasco? OU had the ultimate marketing tool for its university in this tournament and in hosting the regional. Its lack of respect of the veterans of this country and of the local area high school students and athletes is a situation that needs immediate attention. They appear, in the eyes of many people and local high schools, to care very little, if at all, about the local area where their main campus is located. That in and of itself is very disheartening to this southeast Ohio resident, fan of academics and long-time Bobcat sports fan.

[Yossarian]

These kinds of things happen when you have those that feel entitled. A coach that feels entitled because the AD and university allow it. I have always been curious as to why the university seems to have a problem with the coaches in the other two sports not winning. What is the deal with this sport? Someone correct me if I'm wrong but their record is less than stellar and yet his job is protected. Very strange indeed.

[Steely Dan]

These kinds of things happen when you have those that feel entitled. A coach that feels entitled because the AD and university allow it. I have always been curious as to why the university seems to have a problem with the coaches in the other two sports not winning. What is the deal with this sport? Someone correct me if I'm wrong but their record is less than stellar and yet his job is protected. Very strange indeed.

I don't believe anyone on this website would argue your point on this subject. And yes, the record doesn't justify the longevity.......

[Yossarian]

I agree that OU has a public realtions problem and it is the baseball coach. I witnessed some of that arrogance first hand at an allstar game where many scouts attended. First of all I was surprised to see the coach there because this was mostly local kids. A young man's parents and other adults convinced him that he needed to introduce himself to the coach and tell him of his interest in OU and that he may attend school there. The young man did this and told the coach he would be playing in the next game which was due to begin shortly. Now this young man was a very good high school baseball player and had the size and skill to make a look see for any scout a wise thing to do. The coach exited the stadium only a few minutes later not to return. So much for teaching the youngster how to handle themselves. Only one example of the arrogance others have mentioned.

[javon white]

Let's see. OU lost 35 games or so last year and have struggled in other recent years. They had no kids from southeast Ohio on their roster last year but 7 or so kids that were from junior colleges and the rest from all places but southern Ohio. Every day on this forum I see where another SE Ohio kid has signed or committed to play baseball at colleges or universities other than OU. Do they ever recruit kids from here to play baseball and if not, is there a reason why not? It seems what they are doing is not working. Maybe they ought to look in their own backyard occasionally for athletes. It would certainly put some fannies in the seats at a minimum.

[Steely Dan]

Well, at least one journalist (who isn't even located in Athens county) calls it like it is. He's a hall of fame reporter, and shows it with this article published today:

http://www.mariettatimes.com/page/conte ... 23483.html

The Benchwarmer: Bill Robinson POSTED: July 21, 2010



For almost 50 years, the American Legion state baseball tournament has been played in Athens. But it's being played in Lancaster this summer and maybe a lot longer, largely because of problems with Ohio University.

"A decision like this is difficult and it wasn't made hastily,"said Gerald White, Ohio's American Legion state baseball tournament director. "This had been going on almost several months. An item-by-item comparison of things in Athens and things in Lancaster were prepared by my office and mailed to the seven members of the American Legion state baseball commission and they voted to move the tournament.

"There were some problems the state baseball commission experienced with Ohio University over the past few years and the baseball committee felt those problems would not or probably could not be addressed."

The tournament director emphasized there were no problems with the city of Athens and various other organizations, agencies, or individuals assisting in the tournament.

One of the problems was operations at Bob Wren Stadium, home of the Bobcats. The field was often shut down quickly with a passing shower and sometimes as many as half of the 10 games scheduled there had to be moved to surrounding high school fields.

Jason Corriher, Ohio University's assistant athletics director for media relations, said the turf at Wren Stadium was unsafe, unplayable, and impossible to prepare for a game because of rain prior to and the week of the state tournament last August.

"The decision (to cancel or reschedule games at Wren Stadium) was made in the best interest of the athletes and facility," Corriher said. "The decision, however, was difficult for the leadersip of the American Legion to understand and accept."

Corrider said that Wren Stadium is in a floodplain and does not dry out as well as other fields in the area.
Tournament games at Lancaster will be played at Al Beavers Field and also fields at Lancaster and Fisher Catholic high schools starting Monday. The three fields are within a half-mile of each other.

The American Legion thinks it can save considerable money with the move as far operating expenses are concerned. A plus for Lancaster is it's central location in the state.

There will be a new champion this year. Two-time defending champ Sandusky was eliminated by Mansfield-Galion 8-6 last Sunday at Heidelberg University. Sandusky (32-4) would have had to beat M-G (21-15) twice to win the title.

Also reaching the 12-team field so far are Athens, a 6-2 winner over Lancaster in their district title game, Tuscarawas County (Dover, New Philadelphia et al), a 17-6 victor over nine-times champion Steubenville, and Hillsboro/Bainbridge, a 8-2 winner over Chillicothe.

The Ohio champion moves on to the Great Lakes Lakes Region Tournament at Matoon, Illinois, located in the south central part of the state. Seven state champions and the host team will compete. The World Series will be played in Spokane, Wash.

Evidently, there is a big difference between "media relations" and "public relations". At least a PR guy would provide a plausible explanation for the issue(s) at hand. This is nothing more than a poor attempt at a brush off on the part of OU athletics.....

I'm guessing that if a truth syrum were administered to him, his quote would have read: "The decision (to cancel or reschedule games at Wren Stadium) was made in the best interest of the facility,"

Oh, and as Gerald White pointed out in his quote above, these problems have been ongoing over a number of years, not just last August.

Hey, where's that dustpan when I'm trying to sweep all this dirt away, OU?!?!?

[Yossarian]

Well there you have it. An Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations is shoved out there to issue that statement. A lame attempt to cover themselves and long after it is too late. These problems are over several years not just last year. I started to a Copperheads game the other day and before it had even rained the game was postponed. I am fully aware that sometimes these things are correct and appropriate due to weather conditions. The problem at OU is that protection of the field is the ONLY concern. As far as their poor record is concerned it reminds me of the definition of insanity. Doing things the same way over and over again and expecting a different result.

[Rufus]

I'm not sure it's just Joe Carbone (although that's a huge part of it). Ohio University charges a ridiculous amount for the players to stay in the dorms. It's much cheaper for the players to stay in a hotel. Ohio University is ridiculous with their prices and regulations.