Part 1 of “If I Supported a Baseball Stadium…”

Before the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation dinner, I had an extended conversation with Chris Krug of the Northwest Herald.

As you can imagine we discussed the baseball stadium.

I found out that he used to be a sports reporter.

He tried to tempt me with the vision of sitting out on a warm summer day and lifting a few beers while watching a baseball game.

It’s not that I’m against baseball.

I’ve been to Kane County Cougars games.

My biggest impression: the parking could be improved.

At one time I was a fervent Brooklyn Dodgers fan, although I remember being a Giants fan until the Dodgers beat them. I knew all the players. My favorite was catcher Roy Campanella.

I remember when the Dodgers, by then transplanted to Los Angeles, played the White Sox in the World Series in 1959 when I was a senior. (We moved to Crystal Lake in 1958.) I was outside of the shop classroom at Crystal Lake Community High School when I heard someone bragging about how the White Sox were going to beat the Dodgers.

“Want to bet?” I said. (Two personal gambling stories within week. Maybe I need to call Gamblers Anonymous.)

You know how White Sox fans are. Enthusiastic does not begin to describe them.

I think he even gave me odds, even though the Dodgers had won at least one game.

And, of course, I won.

In any event, I started suggesting to Krug how the junior college might get a baseball stadium.

Krug assured me that the current plan is dead.

Maybe I’ve seen too many “Alien” movies with my son. I sense an egg pod out there somewhere.

While I would like to believe that, read this article and tell me if MCC President Walt Packard’s plan to resurrect the idea isn’t on track…

In spite of MCC Board President George Lowe’s protestation the day the Crystal Lake City Council approved zoning that would allow construction on 50% of the entire property, including the soon-to-be purchased 57 acres.

Lowe told the Northwest Herald:

“I’m not sure where the baseball thing is going. I think it’s pretty much a dead issue.”

Tomorrow, an article on the how MCC might resurrect and gain approval of a baseball stadium.


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