An Empty Beauty

by Erik Hahmann on Feb 27, 2009 7:00 PM EST

I was curious to see what would become of Al Lang Field now that spring training baseball is no longer taking place. Yesterday I found my answer.

Al Lang Field remains eternally ready for baseball, even if there is no baseball, thanks to Jason Hess, The Lone Groundskeeper.

-snip-

"It's still kept game ready," he says.

He shrugs.

"Just in case."

The story goes on to say that Hess keeps the gate open, and people stop in all the time.

I've talked to a few people about this, and they all said it was kind of "sad" that the field was perpetually kept in game ready condition. I would say the opposite is true. It would be much sadder to see that beautiful field go untouched and unmanicured, left to rot in the Florida sun.

It’s been touched on many times before, but any baseball fan who lives/lived in the St. Petersburg area undoubtedly has their own special memories of Al Lang. Personally, I’ll never forget all the times my Dad took me there when I was a kid, watching the Cardinals play and telling me about all the high jinx he used to pull there some 50 years ago when HE was a kid.

If you find yourself in downtown St. Pete anytime soon I'd advise you to make your way to Al Lang. It's a piece of baseball history. See it while you still can.

via www.baseballpilgrimages.com

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Somewhere, PLK has shed a tear.

Tools Whore

by Tyler on Feb 27, 2009 7:02 PM EST reply actions

who owns Al Lang Field?

by walkoffwalk on Feb 27, 2009 8:15 PM EST reply actions

St. Petersburg

by GomesSweetGomes on Feb 27, 2009 8:18 PM EST up reply actions

Baseball needs to be played there

There is no better site.

Seems like a lost cause, but how great would it have been if they were able to build the new stadium there

by Sveet on Feb 27, 2009 8:32 PM EST reply actions

BTW Baseball was supposed to be played their last weekend

The Big East -Big 10 challenge, but I heard the outfield was so messed up from a charity flag football game during SB week that they had to move the games to the Pirates place in Bradenton.

I was planning on going just to see a baseball game played there again

by Sveet on Feb 27, 2009 8:49 PM EST reply actions

Ugh

Tomorrow’s lineup, I like the DH and who is playing at 2B but otherwise this is ugly

Gabe Kapler RF
Justin Ruggiano CF
Willy Aybar 2B
Pat Burrell DH
Chris Richard 1B
Morgan Ensberg 3B
Ray Sadler LF
Shawn Riggans C
Ray Olmedo SS
Mitch Talbot P

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Feb 27, 2009 9:14 PM EST reply actions

For someone so staunchly anti-WBC I'd expect you to be thrilled

No sense getting our guys hurt in meaningless games

by GomesSweetGomes on Feb 27, 2009 9:21 PM EST up reply actions

Not expecting the full lineup

but more starters against the Phillies would be cool. But, that’s just like my opinion man.

Also, seems the Rays are trying to see if Ruggiano can make the team, him and Aybar have now started all 4 games.

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Feb 27, 2009 9:26 PM EST up reply actions

I'm not sure if this is sarcasm or not.

But if you don’t realize the difference between having the Rays manage Scott Kazmir and having Team USA manage Scott Kazmir, then you’re missing the point. It’s never been about “meaningless games”. At least not for me. I just don’t feel comfortable lending a vital asset to an organization that seems to think Brad Hawpe is one of the best American-born outfielders available. And yes, I just called Team USA an organization and Scott Kazmir an asset.

There’s no guaranteeing health either way, there’s simply stacking the odds in our favor.

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 27, 2009 9:48 PM EST up reply actions

He also said Aybar playing for DR was 'lame'

So this goes beyond Kaz for him.

And you’ve used the Hawpe line before, so this time I’ll bite. He may very well be one of the best Americans that has expressed a desire to play. This tournament is as much about ambassadorship for the game as it is making a dream team. Picking rosters for this event has factors beyond who is the best, as evidenced by the elaborate rules for eligibility and team veto power.

by GomesSweetGomes on Feb 27, 2009 9:55 PM EST up reply actions

"He may very well be one of the best Americans that has expressed a desire to play. "

If this is the case then most of baseball’s American born outfielder population doesn’t really give a crap about the tournament either. Hawpe is like a ~1.1 win player.

Gabe Gross would’ve been more useful for Team USA.

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 27, 2009 9:58 PM EST up reply actions

Well you're right about one thing

Americans don’t give a crap about the tournament.

And you really think that Gross is more useful than Hawpe? The only way you could come close to reaching that conclusion is by assuming that neither will ever be forced to face a left-handed pitcher.

by GomesSweetGomes on Feb 27, 2009 10:08 PM EST up reply actions

Defense matters.

Hawpe is exceptionally awful at it, Gross is at worst average.

Plus, park factors.

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=2184&position=OF#value
http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=1885&position=OF#value

We obviously have quite different views on the tournament, but I think we both agree keeping Kazmir healthy should be amongst the prime concerns for the Rays.

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 27, 2009 10:11 PM EST up reply actions

Well with Victorino, Granderson, and Braun

He may just be there for his bat. Even with park factor adjustments, Hawpe is a MUCH better hitter. Even if you use simply their road splits (which is unfair to Coors hitters) Hawpe ends up looking much better, as he seems to suffer very little from the Coors effect.

by GomesSweetGomes on Feb 27, 2009 10:25 PM EST up reply actions

Dude, I have no problem with the WBC

I just dont want our key players to have a higher risk of injury. Kaz isn’t supposed to start for another 2 weeks, in the WBC, he would be starting real soon.

As for Aybar, it’s lame because he will be playing 1B and I was hoping he would play 2B and OF in ST for us.

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Feb 27, 2009 10:02 PM EST up reply actions

Middle infield and outfield typically takes more toll on the body than 1b

But from that angle I see your point. I just strongly doubt that it will affect his play (or likelihood of injury) either way.

What does piss me off is the possibility that a position player or two will get hurt in the tournament, and people will use this as ‘proof’ that it’s dangerous.

by GomesSweetGomes on Feb 27, 2009 10:11 PM EST up reply actions

In the only nationally televised game of the preseason

I’d hope they’d showcase guys a little bit. I was psyched about getting to watch on TV, now not so much.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Feb 27, 2009 10:12 PM EST up reply actions

exactly why I hate the lineup so much

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Feb 27, 2009 10:20 PM EST up reply actions

I focus more on positional and playing time battles in the spring

I know what Upton, Longoria, Crawford and others are capable of. I’d only be disappointed if I went in person, as I’d be much more interested in meeting the aforementioned players.

But if you’re from out of the Tampa Bay Area, I understand the sentiment.

by GomesSweetGomes on Feb 27, 2009 10:33 PM EST up reply actions

Normally I like seeing the prospects instead of the starters

I get to watch 162 games of the starters every year. I like seeing the new guys. The Wade Davis’s, Tim Beckhams, Reid Brignacs, and the new aquisitions liek Kapler and Ensberg, but I can’t say I’m a fan of seeing guys like Ray Sadler and Olmedo

by Sveet on Feb 28, 2009 8:59 AM EST up reply actions

.

Would it be too much to ask for even a Rookie Single-A team to play here? I would love that.

by zakattackthe on Feb 27, 2009 9:32 PM EST reply actions

This would be nice

by Tommy Rancel on Feb 28, 2009 8:30 AM EST up reply actions

Showcase games

I don’t think anyone will play there regularly, it’s just too far from any “training” location to be able to really work. But – here’s my idea of what to do with the park & the site (assuming that a new MLB park isn’t going to be built there any time soon.)

St Pete is the original home of Spring Training. Let’s put a little spring training museum there…it can also highlight other past Florida baseball history (Negro leagues, FSU/Miami/UF, whatever) And then schedule a few games there each year. The Rays can play a couple spring games, if St Pete can convince the Jays, Phils, Pirates, or anyone else to play too…good. And then during the Single-A season, where teams draw no one, schedule a monthly game (or 2) there as well. Do it as part of any type of “Baseball in St Pete” celebration. Go to museum, get a free game ticket? Have some downtown bars help sponsor games or such.

Basically – if teams only play a couple times, traveling there isn’t really an issue for them. Games being rare would likely help attendance, and be fun for the city.

by TallMatt on Feb 28, 2009 10:43 AM EST reply actions