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In a spot of dry humor, El Reg has a story up on how the Government of Ridgefield, CT, attempted to remedy a damp baseball field in preparation for a high school game by lighting it on fire with gasoline.
In what could be understatement of the week, a Connecticut town has admitted that "a poor decision was made" when 24 gallons (109 litres) of petrol were poured on a baseball field and set on fire.
According to the town's Facebook page:
Town of Ridgefield, CT
on SaturdayThere as been an incident in town that we want [to] make citizens aware of. A RHS baseball game at Governor Park was delayed due to weather conditions on the field this morning. A poor decision was made (and being looked into by the RPD) to “dry the field quicker” and 24 gallons of gasoline was poured and set on fire. Thanks to the RFD, Peter Hill the Director of Public Works, DEEP, the RPD, and our Certified Spill Response Team for their incredible help. No one was injured and no one is in danger. The plan is to excavate the infield, place dirt in a safe container, and add fresh, clean soil to the field. We will update you as we know more.
Sadly for the players, it turns out that fire and grass did not work together as was apparently hoped and the game had to be held elsewhere. A later update on the town's page indicates
Town of Ridgefield, CT
on SaturdayAn update to the field fire situation. The field may be closed for the week due to the need for testing to be completed.
Comments on the page are everything you might expect and deserve your attention, for example one individual pointed out that he "would have added the use of a leaf blower to give the fire more oxygen."
Science!
(Score: 2) by sjames on Tuesday April 09 2019, @08:40PM (9 children)
Ted Turner once famously hired helicopters to dry the outfield before a game. Of course he was facing big enough fines for not having the field ready that it was almost worth it.
But by the time you add up the costs of testing and remediation, these guys might have gotten off cheaper with the helicopters and as a bonus, they could have actually played the game.
(Score: 4, Interesting) by Snow on Tuesday April 09 2019, @08:54PM (8 children)
More importantly: Who fucking cares about high school baseball?
(Score: 2) by NotSanguine on Tuesday April 09 2019, @08:58PM
Ummm...High school baseball players maybe? Possibly even some of those players' parents?
No, no, you're not thinking; you're just being logical. --Niels Bohr
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 09 2019, @09:10PM (4 children)
Americans are very... enthusiastic, let's call it... about their various forms of sportsball.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 09 2019, @09:29PM
Yup. It's the place where 'LGM' doesn't just mean "Little [someecards.com] Green [wordpress.com] Men [youtube.com]."
(Score: 2) by sjames on Tuesday April 09 2019, @10:01PM (2 children)
So are Europeans, it's just a different sport.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by tibman on Wednesday April 10 2019, @04:13AM (1 child)
As a kid we played soccer if it was raining, snowing, wet, foggy, dry, or anything. Hell, a lot of fields weren't even flat and could slope quite a bit. This was 1990's. Football and baseball players looked down on us from their perfectly managed fields.
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(Score: 2) by sjames on Wednesday April 10 2019, @05:00AM
Sure, as kids. Much like kids play baseball with whatever ball they have using chalk, rags, or rocks for bases on dirt, sand, grass, or pavement if necessary. Home plate is called a plate because it used to commonly actually be an old dinner plate turned upside down.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 09 2019, @10:00PM
More than those who care about STEM?
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Tuesday April 09 2019, @11:10PM
I'd rather watch that than "professional baseball whining little overpaid bitches".
Little league baseball is HILARIOUS!
High school girls baseball can be, errrr... interesting.....but i don't look, of course. 8*
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. I have always been here. ---Gaaark 2.0 --