Post by FriendsofAN44 on Jul 3, 2006 16:24:49 GMT -5
PEZZIMENTI:
06/30/2006
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ST. BONAVENTURE — As Larry Sudbrook looks out over the mounds of dirt accompanied by bulldozers, hundreds of memories flash before him.
This baseball field turned construction site has been Sudbrook’s second home over the last two decades. He mowed the grass more there than his own backyard. He’s moved more dirt there than any of those bulldozers.
Back in May, when the field was still intact, Sudbrook spent a few last moments there.
After St. Bonaventure’s final practice of the season and after the team’s freshmen finished their field maintenance duties, Sudbrook, by himself, ventured onto the diamond and into the outfield where he had coached over 500 games. Later, photos were taken and buckets of dirt from the mound and home plate saved.
A somber moment indeed.
But a moment that will usher in a new era of Bonnies’ baseball.
A new artificial playing surface is in the process of being installed where the real stuff once was. The project is expected to be completed by mid-August.
Said Sudbroook, shaking off the memories of the bygone grass and dirt field, “I know on that new field, we’re never going to have to mow it again, we’re never going to have to move any dirt. The field is almost maintenance free.”
The turf may even be laid down before the end of July. The project also includes the installment of bigger, sunken dugouts and new fencing.
The improved habitation is a coup for a program almost always looking up at its competitors in the Atlantic 10 Conference when it comes to resources and facilities.
“It’s a fun time to be out recruiting,” said Sudbrook. “We’re seeing some kids and talking to kids who normally we wouldn’t have a chance to get. They’re kids who would go south to play baseball. Whether you end up getting them is still to be seen, but we’ve seen some very good players lately who have expressed interest in us — it wasn’t just us pursuing them.”
It also helps that the Bonnies have completed winning seasons in seven of the last eight years while advancing to two of the last three A-10 title games, winning in 2004.
And truer hops on the truer surface may lead to even more triumphs. One thing is certain: There will be fewer game postponements due to inclement weather (i.e. messy fields).
This spring’s A-10 tournament at Fordham was played on the same type of surface the Bonnies will have.
“The guys loved it,” Sudbrook said. “We made some plays we generally don’t make. We were an average defensive club and we looked above average.”
Even though the baseball program has become St. Bonaventure’s most consistent, Sudbrook concedes, sometimes all the victories can mean decreased aid from the administration. The 22-year mentor knows the new surroundings wouldn’t have been made possible without a $900,000 gift from 1980 alum Thomas Marra.
“I understand St. Bonaventure’s situation,” said Sudbrook, the reigning A-10 Coach of the Year. “They were not going to give $1 million to build a baseball field. I think we’re caught in a catch 22 where, ‘Hey, they’re competitive now, why the hell should we help them any more?’ When you’re crunching numbers — and the budget numbers are tough here at St. Bonaventure — you’re not going to throw money at somebody who’s already having a moderate amount of success.”
(Vinny Pezzimenti is a sports writer for The Times Herald)
06/30/2006
Email to a friendPost a CommentPrinter-friendly
ST. BONAVENTURE — As Larry Sudbrook looks out over the mounds of dirt accompanied by bulldozers, hundreds of memories flash before him.
This baseball field turned construction site has been Sudbrook’s second home over the last two decades. He mowed the grass more there than his own backyard. He’s moved more dirt there than any of those bulldozers.
Back in May, when the field was still intact, Sudbrook spent a few last moments there.
After St. Bonaventure’s final practice of the season and after the team’s freshmen finished their field maintenance duties, Sudbrook, by himself, ventured onto the diamond and into the outfield where he had coached over 500 games. Later, photos were taken and buckets of dirt from the mound and home plate saved.
A somber moment indeed.
But a moment that will usher in a new era of Bonnies’ baseball.
A new artificial playing surface is in the process of being installed where the real stuff once was. The project is expected to be completed by mid-August.
Said Sudbroook, shaking off the memories of the bygone grass and dirt field, “I know on that new field, we’re never going to have to mow it again, we’re never going to have to move any dirt. The field is almost maintenance free.”
The turf may even be laid down before the end of July. The project also includes the installment of bigger, sunken dugouts and new fencing.
The improved habitation is a coup for a program almost always looking up at its competitors in the Atlantic 10 Conference when it comes to resources and facilities.
“It’s a fun time to be out recruiting,” said Sudbrook. “We’re seeing some kids and talking to kids who normally we wouldn’t have a chance to get. They’re kids who would go south to play baseball. Whether you end up getting them is still to be seen, but we’ve seen some very good players lately who have expressed interest in us — it wasn’t just us pursuing them.”
It also helps that the Bonnies have completed winning seasons in seven of the last eight years while advancing to two of the last three A-10 title games, winning in 2004.
And truer hops on the truer surface may lead to even more triumphs. One thing is certain: There will be fewer game postponements due to inclement weather (i.e. messy fields).
This spring’s A-10 tournament at Fordham was played on the same type of surface the Bonnies will have.
“The guys loved it,” Sudbrook said. “We made some plays we generally don’t make. We were an average defensive club and we looked above average.”
Even though the baseball program has become St. Bonaventure’s most consistent, Sudbrook concedes, sometimes all the victories can mean decreased aid from the administration. The 22-year mentor knows the new surroundings wouldn’t have been made possible without a $900,000 gift from 1980 alum Thomas Marra.
“I understand St. Bonaventure’s situation,” said Sudbrook, the reigning A-10 Coach of the Year. “They were not going to give $1 million to build a baseball field. I think we’re caught in a catch 22 where, ‘Hey, they’re competitive now, why the hell should we help them any more?’ When you’re crunching numbers — and the budget numbers are tough here at St. Bonaventure — you’re not going to throw money at somebody who’s already having a moderate amount of success.”
(Vinny Pezzimenti is a sports writer for The Times Herald)
