AshesDepression mill ball inspiredLeaksville Ballpark bleachers oozed pine sap, grassless infield created pebbles; outfield birthed charleyhorses. Class D Bi State wars were waged for bragging rights up to 50 miles away. Bare bones ballclubs mostly full of ex farmers daytime roasting weaving fabric, nitetime swatting bugs and baseballs owned the town but didn't earn a hundred bucks a month. World War 2 ends; Johnny marches back to a new field, Tri-City Baseball Park across from the lumber yard. Stands with roof to stay dry if one knows where not to sit. Big time class C Carolina League 16 man limit clubs with pitching staffs so rested Frank Paulin only gets 40 decisions a year. Paul Pryor takes his 8 plus era, enters Show as an umpire only slightly better than he pitched. Teapot Fry's positive polarity attracts baseballs in the field; pitches elude his negative bat. Today, no sign of parks either place except driveway notches on curbing. No trace of Scooter Rizzuto Country Slaughter, Ray Poat, Clyde Sukeforth, Wes Ferrell Bootsie Poffenberger or hundreds more who hit cotton looms better than curveballs. Dust returned to dust. Dan Taylor Leave feedback on our message board. |