Sam Lynn Ballpark Bakersfield, CA,
Bakersfield Blaze asking for community's help to find people who vandalized Sam Lynn Ballpark
Bakersfield Blaze asking for community's help to find people who vandalized Sam Lynn Ballpark
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75 years of history at Sam Lynn Ballpark but the sun finally sets on professional baseball
Bakersfield residents have heard the same threat for years. If you don't build a new park, the team will move. Three weeks ago that axe finally fell and while we've known this would be the final season, it didn't make the final game any easier.
Man living dream with 1st pitch at Sam Lynn Ballpark
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) - Thursday was opening night at Sam Lynn Ballpark, and the Bakersfield Blaze started off their season against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
But, for one man, it’s not about the game or the beginning of the season. It’s about the beginning of his journey, a quest to become the first blind man to throw the first pitch and sing the National Anthem at every minor and major league ballpark in the United States.
Now, if you’ve gone to a baseball game, you’ve probably seen a lot of ceremonial first pitches.
Some of them are celebrities. We’ve seen President Barack Obama try to make it past home plate. We’ve also seen some pretty bad bloopers.
But, none of them were blindfolded.
Robert F. Smith’s ceremonial first pitch isn’t supposed to be a blooper. It’s supposed to be the first step into making it into the history books.
The thing about Sam Lynn Ballpark is that it’s one of the only stadiums in the world built where the sun sets in the batters eyes, because the park faces west.
That makes no difference to Smith, and it’s not just because he’s on the mound. It’s because the sunglasses he wears aren’t coming off.
“Just because you're blind doesn't mean you can't do anything,” he said.
Smith is already booked for 19 out of the 20 minor league parks in California. He has a ways to go, but he thinks it’ll only take about three years to complete.
He also wants to perform 1 million acts of kindness along the way.
“You guys can say you're the first,” said Smith. “This is what the world really needs. It just needs 'L - O - V - E,' that four letter word. That's what my father taught me.”
Robert Smith’s dad is Grammy-winner O.C. Smith. The name of his campaign is “Little Green Apples,” named after his dad’s hit song.
He’s just lucky enough to inherit his dad’s voice, and he proved it by singing the National Anthem.
Singing may come easy, but pitching is difficult. He hasn’t ever even seen one.
“It could be a good pitch,” said Dane Compton, one of the kids in the stands, not knowing what to expect. “It could be a bad pitch. It could be a normal pitch.”
That’s why Smith has been practicing.
“You're not used to winding up. It's just not something that a blind person usually does in life,” he said. “Literally I didn't even know how to throw 15 feet.”
Well, that’s not exactly encouraging.
“I was a little dude,” said Smith. “I only weighed 1 pound, 3 ounces. So, miracle baby, and I just kept on stepping.
Still, when it came time for the actual pitch, it went a lot farther than 15 feet.
It may not have been a strike, but dad would be proud.
“I would hope that my dad is looking down on me from heaven,” said Smith. “Pop, I love you!”
Blaze Set To Open New Stadium In Bakersfield In 2014
Sam Lynn Ballpark, home to baseball in Bakersfield since 1941, will be replaced with a new, state-of-the-art ballpark in 2014.
Coffee and Brimhall will be the site of the new park, which will feature event space for groups and families, picnic areas and a children's playground.
Groundbreaking for the 3,500 seat stadium is expected in the spring of 2013, with the ballpark ready for opening day in 2014.
Tyler Torigiani 2020 Outfielder from Bakersfield Christian HS in Bakersfield, California
Tyler Torigiani 2020 Outfielder from Bakersfield Christian HS in Bakersfield, California.
Blaze ground crew prepares field one last time
The Bakersfield Blaze ground crew are just a few of dozens of employees who won't be returning to work next season.
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Team will contract along with High Desert Mavericks.
◂
23ABC News brings you up to the minute breaking news alerts, weather, traffic as well as live streaming video for Bakersfield, Kern County and all over the world.
23ABC News, KERO, brings you the latest trusted news and information for Bakersfield, California and Kern County.
For more download the 23ABC News mobile app:
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Android:
Bakersfield will get new baseball stadium
The Bakersfield Blaze will get a new, state-of-the-art ball park, team owners will announce Friday. The new 3,500-seat stadium will be part of the upscale Commons development at Coffee and Brimhall roads and is expected to open in 2014.
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Yer Out? The future of baseball in Bakersfield
When plans for a new stadium fell through last October, rumors of the Blaze leaving town were fresh once again. The fact is that the threat of the end of baseball in Bakersfield has no more truth than it did 21 years ago.
20130626 U9 District 5 Finals NW Allstars Red v NW Allstars White 1a
Cal Ripken All Stars
Central California -- District 5
U9 Finals
Sam Lynn Ball Park
Bakersfield, CA
5:30pm
Northwest Baseball Allstars Red (15) v Northwest Baseball Allstars White (4)
20130626 U9 District 5 Finals NW Allstars Red v NW Allstars White postgame
Cal Ripken All Stars
Central California -- District 5
U9 Finals
Sam Lynn Ball Park
Bakersfield, CA
5:30pm
Northwest Baseball Allstars Red (15) v Northwest Baseball Allstars White (4)