It’s been a wet spring, or at least it feels that way. In the past, Allen’s Alumni Park and the recently rechristened Bernie Blevins Field served as Iola High School’s fields as a backup if Riverside Park was still soggy. This year, though, it has been the new home for the Mustangs.
Alumni Park and Bernie Blevins Field have character; I like the faux wood fences. The turf infield is growing on me, though I prefer dirt. They are well maintained for play.
But for fans, there leaves more to be desired. I love the large scoreboard at Alumni Park, but there is no shade. The sun beats down on everyone. I’ve seen umpires collapse from heat exhaustion in the summer.
Water fountains, a concession stand, reliable access to bathrooms — the basic amenities of any small town baseball field are lacking. And like Riverside Park, there are no convenience stores within walking distance, so everyone is stuck or misses some of the game if they leave for a drink or a snack.
Iola is a town of 5,000, so we can all go without a few things. Allen, too, is a small college. But together, the Mustangs and Red Devils — and the facilities we use — represent our citizens. Everyone is doing the best with what we have, but what if what we have isn’t sufficient?
With collaboration on the horizon for the use of the soon-to-be turfed fields at Mustang Stadium in Riverside Park, Iola school officials and Allen Community College officials should also collaborate on how to fix up the baseball and softball facilities. Iola is a baseball and softball town. It deserves facilities reflecting the same standards coaches and players traditionally set on the field.
