Ballpark Problem in Billings

longhorn_22 · Post by **longhorn_22** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 1:10 pm

*Angry rant post warning*

I live in Billings and as far back as I can remember, I have been going to baseball games here. Specifically, Billings Mustangs games. The Mustangs are a Rookie League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and are owned by the city of Billings. They have been here since 1948 and have been at or near the top of the league almost every season. Over the past few years it has come to the attention of the city that there has to be something done with the stadium (Cobb Field). Although the architecture and rustic look of the stadium is nice, its is very worn down and we absolutely have to build a new stadium. The grandstands leak water when it rains and water leaks into the locker rooms and I am just waiting for the day that the stands collapse. For some reason it seems to be the hardest thing in the world to come up with a solution to this problem. We haven't had any donors to pay for this yet and a new stadium has been on the voting ballot already which was shot down. A new stadium rebuild project will be on the ballot in November which will come to a total cost of about 13 million dollars. It would put a total tax of 72 dollars on a residents' tax for the year. For now, it looks as if this won't pass when it comes time to vote and I fear this city will lose the Mustangs. There is absolutely no reason for this in my mind. The Mustangs are a fun team to watch and a great way to spend an evening in Billings during the summer. The Mustangs not only bring a form of entertainment to the city, but businesses and hotels alike prosper from the team being here. In addition, the ballpark is used for games for our Legion teams and MSU-B's baseball team.
Minor league teams in Montana also include Great Falls, Missoula, and Helena. My question is for the people who live in towns with minor league ballparks. Mainly to Great Falls as to how the stadium renovation was paid for over there. I just don't understand why this is so much of a problem for people here. I understand not wanting to pay more taxes, but without the Mustangs, there is virtually very little to do in Billings. We already lost our hockey team, the Bulls, much like how Bozeman lost the Icedogs and the mindset of this city irritates me because of it. Any ideas?

Post by **SonomaCat** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 1:16 pm

Move the Mustangs to Bozeman, contingent on Bozeman upgrading the stadium they have at the fairgrounds.

longhorn_22 · Post by **longhorn_22** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 1:23 pm

Bay Area Cat wrote:Move the Mustangs to Bozeman, contingent on Bozeman upgrading the stadium they have at the fairgrounds.

Although that provides a solution as to what to do with the team if they move, the problem is fixing it here in Billings. The stadium here seats 4200 people and it's over 3000 every night. I don't see that kind of attendance in Bozeman. There is no reason to move the team when it can prosper here. All we need is a better facility to play in. Too many teams rely on the stadium to not have it here.

Post by **SonomaCat** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 1:29 pm

I was just speaking out of frustration in Billings collectively not supporting community projects if it is going to cost them a dime ... including their schools (in light of recent rejections of mill levies). It seems like there is a 180 degree difference between the proactiveness of Bozeman and the reactiveness (and then refusal to act) of Billings. It seems like it will be hard for a new park to be built in Billings unless it is privately funded, and there doesn't appear to be any private entities that would profit from such a deal, so that appears unlikely.

longhorn_22 · Post by **longhorn_22** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 1:35 pm

I agree completely. The people here want nothing new it seems. They would rather sit at home or go shove their faces full of food at a restraunt than go out to game with their family or support anything sports-wise. The major issue with this has seemed to be "I don't go to games, why should I have to pay for it?" The same is true with the school mill levies. "I don't have kids, why should I pay for a mill levy?" The main thing is that it does help the community, but people seem to not care about that anymore. I, for one, won't be living in Billings when I graduate much for this reason. There is no reason for a city of 100,000 people to not be able to support a new stadium that is home to 4 baseball teams.

1BadBobcat · Post by **1BadBobcat** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 2:59 pm

It is sad to hear about Cobb Field. I grew up in Billings, and played a couple of seasons on the Royals(legion). We played all our home games at Cobb and as much fun as it is to watch a game there, it is equally fun to play there. Billings has always been a baseball town. As you mentioned the Mustangs have long been a fixture and extremely successful. And the Royals have a very storied past. The Sporting News and ESPN both listed Cobb Field as one the unique and wonderful minor league parks in America a few years ago. It is a shame and embarrasment not to keep this historic park in running condition and around for future generations to enjoy.

longhorn_22 · Post by **longhorn_22** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 3:04 pm

The thing that irritates me the most about the opponents of this is the things that they argue. Most of the people have no clue what they are arguing about. One person I was discussing this issue with asked why a team like MSU-B couldn't play at the field that was already on the campus. The reason for that is because it's a damn softball field. You can't play baseball on a softball field. If people weren't so uneducated about what the facts are, I wouldn't be as mad. But, regardless, it is going to be sad if we can't get this new field accomplished. Baseball brings so much to this town and it will be a tragedy to lose this stadium.

bozbobcat · Post by **bozbobcat** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 4:03 pm

I agree with Longhorn here. I'm not a Billings resident, but I think Cobb Field is quite an asset, especially the long standing affiliation of the Reds and the Mustangs that could be lost someday if no one makes a move. The grandstands need to be rebuilt, but it seems extremely hard to get any thing like this passed in Billings. I hope they do soon and provide a world-class baseball facility for a great community.

And on a sidebar (which you can ignore if you wish), I'd love to see minor league baseball here in Bozeman at beautiful Legion Field. I think it would be very popular and fun.

Post by **SonomaCat** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 4:15 pm

I really enjoyed going to games at Cobb when I lived in Billings as well ... which adds to my frustration with the taxpayers' refusal to kick in for the current and future generations' enjoyment.

raincat · Post by **raincat** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 4:38 pm

I played Legion ball AGAINST Billings at Cobb Field. I always felt it was the best baseball facility in the state. I've found in similar size towns it's often hard to find public funding for a brand new facility to replace the old one. There is a certain nostagia associated with ballparks that makes them tough to tear down to replace. I'll bet you'd have a better chance of getting voters to "renovate" Cobb Field even if the costs are the same or even greater than a new one.

What kind of ball park does Bozeman have? When I went to MSU the best ball park in town was on campus and it only amounted to a few temporary seats behind a sandlot type screen with no outfield fencing. It was approximately where the football practice field is now.

longhorn_22 · Post by **longhorn_22** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 4:44 pm

raincat wrote:I played Legion ball AGAINST Billings at Cobb Field. I always felt it was the best baseball facility in the state. I've found in similar size towns it's often hard to find public funding for a brand new facility to replace the old one. There is a certain nostagia associated with ballparks that makes them tough to tear down to replace. I'll bet you'd have a better chance of getting voters to "renovate" Cobb Field even if the costs are the same or even greater than a new one.

What kind of ball park does Bozeman have? When I went to MSU the best ball park in town was on campus and it only amounted to a few temporary seats behind a sandlot type screen with no outfield fencing. It was approximately where the football practice field is now.

We can't just renovate Cobb Field. It is so worn down the entire thing needs to be replaced. The newest part of the stadium is the seats. Those are no problem but every other part of the stadium except for the seats and the grass needs to be fixed.

bozbobcat · Post by **bozbobcat** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 5:31 pm

raincat wrote:I played Legion ball AGAINST Billings at Cobb Field. I always felt it was the best baseball facility in the state. I've found in similar size towns it's often hard to find public funding for a brand new facility to replace the old one. There is a certain nostagia associated with ballparks that makes them tough to tear down to replace. I'll bet you'd have a better chance of getting voters to "renovate" Cobb Field even if the costs are the same or even greater than a new one.

What kind of ball park does Bozeman have? When I went to MSU the best ball park in town was on campus and it only amounted to a few temporary seats behind a sandlot type screen with no outfield fencing. It was approximately where the football practice field is now.

Bozeman has a great park by the fairgrounds at Legion Field. It was renovated about 5 years ago and it's a great facility with excellent seats and concessions. To be minor-league ready, it would probably need more seats and a visitor's clubhouse, but besides for that, it's quite nice.

This image is the view from the pitcher's mound, showing the grandstand and concession stands slightly to the left of center in the picture. I wish I could find a picture of the view from the bleachers, staring straight at the Bridger mountains. It's a great place for a game.

PapaG · Post by **PapaG** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 9:33 pm

longhorn_22 wrote:
Bay Area Cat wrote:Move the Mustangs to Bozeman, contingent on Bozeman upgrading the stadium they have at the fairgrounds.
Although that provides a solution as to what to do with the team if they move, the problem is fixing it here in Billings. The stadium here seats 4200 people and it's over 3000 every night. I don't see that kind of attendance in Bozeman. There is no reason to move the team when it can prosper here. All we need is a better facility to play in. Too many teams rely on the stadium to not have it here.

I played in front of 4000 at Cobb a few times in a LEGION game. One time was against the Taiwanese Jr. Olympic team, the other was a Scarlet/Royal game when we were trying to go 20-0 in the East Division.

Billings is a great baseball city. I grew up on Mustang games. Lenny Harris, Kurt Stillwell, Kal Daniels, did I mention Lenny FREAKING Harris all-time favorite Mustang), and Mr. Pioneer League Walk-off Championship HR himself, Luis Serrano? Good times.

Is there a drive going to renovate Cobb? I'll pitch in some dough. It won't be a lot, but the once every 4 years or so I get to Billings I always visit Cobb Field. I spent most of my summers there. My folks have been out of Billings for years, so Cobb is my Billings home.

PapaG · Post by **PapaG** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 9:39 pm

1BadBobcat wrote: As you mentioned the Mustangs have long been a fixture and extremely successful. And the Royals have a very storied past.

Typical Royal. Can't give the many time state champ Scarlets any credit at all.

PapaG · Post by **PapaG** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 9:43 pm

I have to post a shot of Cobb.

longhorn_22 · Post by **longhorn_22** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 10:34 pm

I better post some as well:

longhorn_22 · Post by **longhorn_22** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 10:37 pm

PapaG wrote:Is there a drive going to renovate Cobb? I'll pitch in some dough. It won't be a lot, but the once every 4 years or so I get to Billings I always visit Cobb Field. I spent most of my summers there. My folks have been out of Billings for years, so Cobb is my Billings home.

Currently there is no official drive for any type of fundraising for a renovation. I would gladly pitch in money as well. They did have a "garage sale" for old Mustang memorabilia and other things but that is nowhere near enough. Like I said earlier, the stadium cannot just be renovated. It needs to completely replaced. Almost eveything needs work.

PapaG · Post by **PapaG** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 11:03 pm

longhorn_22 wrote:
PapaG wrote:Is there a drive going to renovate Cobb? I'll pitch in some dough. It won't be a lot, but the once every 4 years or so I get to Billings I always visit Cobb Field. I spent most of my summers there. My folks have been out of Billings for years, so Cobb is my Billings home.
Currently there is no official drive for any type of fundraising for a renovation. I would gladly pitch in money as well. They did have a "garage sale" for old Mustang memorabilia and other things but that is nowhere near enough. Like I said earlier, the stadium cannot just be renovated. It needs to completely replaced. Almost eveything needs work.

I love the location of Cobb. Hopefully they can repair/replace things and keep it downtown. Thanks for the photo of the "Bullpen", BTW. PGE Park in Portland has a similar area sponsored by Widmer Bros. (no minors, however) and it is literally 5' from the right field line on the field.

longhorn_22 · Post by **longhorn_22** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 11:08 pm

PapaG wrote:
longhorn_22 wrote:
PapaG wrote:Is there a drive going to renovate Cobb? I'll pitch in some dough. It won't be a lot, but the once every 4 years or so I get to Billings I always visit Cobb Field. I spent most of my summers there. My folks have been out of Billings for years, so Cobb is my Billings home.
Currently there is no official drive for any type of fundraising for a renovation. I would gladly pitch in money as well. They did have a "garage sale" for old Mustang memorabilia and other things but that is nowhere near enough. Like I said earlier, the stadium cannot just be renovated. It needs to completely replaced. Almost eveything needs work.
I love the location of Cobb. Hopefully they can repair/replace things and keep it downtown. Thanks for the photo of the "Bullpen", BTW. PGE Park in Portland has a similar area sponsored by Widmer Bros. (no minors, however) and it is literally 5' from the right field line on the field.

The location is beautiful. The backdrop of the Rimrocks is pretty cool to see during a game.

1BadBobcat · Post by **1BadBobcat** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 11:35 pm

PapaG wrote:
1BadBobcat wrote: As you mentioned the Mustangs have long been a fixture and extremely successful. And the Royals have a very storied past.
Typical Royal. Can't give the many time state champ Scarlets any credit at all.

Man, don't get me started. Nah, just kidding - gotta give some props to the Scarlets. They always had great teams when I played against them. When did you play for them, Papa? I was a Royal in '83 & '84. And you're right about the Royal/Scarlet game - always huge attendance. My last game against them I think it was pushing 5,000 fans.