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County officials were forced to make a funding decision after Minor League Baseball Director Mark Scialabba sent a letter to Major League Baseball officials, outlining what he called substandard conditions at a stadium that continues to "deteriorate." The stadium serves as the home for the Potomac Nations, the Washington Nationals' Class A minor league team."The stadium is old fashioned and not in a charming way," Prince William supervisor Martin E. Nohe, said, noting the stadium is in his district. "Today, the stadium is probably the least appealing one in the Carolina League...and the clubhouses are [not even as nice] as a middle school locker room."In his letter to MLB officials, Scialabba said the visiting clubhouse is "unsanitary and extremely small." He said members from other teams in the Carolina League have complained over the years and it has become "an embarrassing topic of discussion," he said.The home team clubhouse currently has only one toilet, two urinals and four shower heads to serve the 30-plus people who use it during the season. The whirlpool is located in the shower due to space constraints and there is no ice machine, forcing staff to go to the concession stand when ice is needed. The training quarters, he said in the letter, are often overflowing, "creating unorganized and unsanitary" conditions.The $210,000 budgeted by county officials and team owner Silber will cover upgrades to the two clubhouses, but will not be enough to resolve other issues outlined in the letter. Scialabba said the playing surface at the stadium currently ranks as one of the worst in the Carolina League. The drainage system needs an upgrade, there are bare spots in right field and padding needs to be added to foul poles and the chain link fence to protect players, he said.Silber and Scialabba had not returend calls by late Wednesday.Nohe said Potomac Nationals officials have been looking to upgrade the stadium for years, approaching the board in 2007 with plans for a new $22.5 million stadium. County funding was not available at the time and some softball players resisted because they would have lost an adjacent field if the new stadium was built.
The county just appropriated $140k
So will that money be used for ALL necessary repairs. Is a new stadium in the mix?
Stewart and Silber have identified four sites in Prince William as possible destinations for a new stadium. One is near the Horner Road commuter parking lot. Other sites include a parcel near I-66 and Route 29, the county’s Innovation Technology Park near George Mason University and near the intersection of Davis Ford Road and Prince William Parkway.
Um, I know Potomac is close, but maybe it's time for a change. Buy out Frederick and convert it to A+.
Isn't Frederick A+, or am I thinking of Delmarva?
Nope, Frederick is A+ and Delmarva is A-
There has to a decent location along I-66 (maybe at the 7100 intersection?)
maybe it's time for a change. Buy out Frederick ...
I went to the playoff game last year when the P-Nats beat the tar out of the Keys. Their fans were pretty much a bunch of jerks.
Figured I'd kick this off with a story about how dilapidated the stadium is in Woodbridge. The county just appropriated $140k, Art Silber will kick in another $70k, and that's only enough to fix up the clubhouses. Shouldn't the Nationals kick in some money as well or are big league clubs usually not in the business of helping upgrade facilities for their affiliates? I can't imagine Strasburg or Harper ever playing here under these conditions.http://voices.washingtonpost.com/virginiapolitics/2011/02/prince_william_sueprvisors_pro.htmli will say, the fireworks shows are really good.
Some teams own their minor league affiliates. Salem, Gwinett, off the top of my head. I don't know how much partnership there is, other than players and staff, if there is no stake in the team. I know the Just As Evil Empire has their minor league affiliates copy Fenway's dimensions as much as possible.
National Anthem tryoutsOpening day ticket sales (box office only)Play catch in the outfieldTake batting practiceP-Nats Kids Zone
The State College Spikes have a mini-green-monster in LF, it's pretty cool.