Sam Lynn will be a-Blaze again in 2010, team says
| Tuesday, Sep 08 2009 07:45 PM
Last Updated Tuesday, Sep 08 2009 08:15 PM
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Felix Adamo / The Californian Bl Ian Gac of the Blaze, right, bumps fists with ballboy Chase Melton after his second-inning home run in Monday's win over Rancho Cucamonga in the regular-season finale.
Special to The Californian
Things just keep keep getting better for Bakersfield Blaze fans.
On the heels of making the playoffs for the first time in eight years, Blaze officials announced Tuesday the team will return to Sam Lynn Ball Park for the 2010 season.
"We're excited to be coming back," Blaze General Manager Shawn Schoolcraft said. "We're looking forward to another season here and we hope we can carry over the winning attitude into next year."
Bakersfield won 25 of its last 30 games and earned home-field advantage for the first round of the California League playoffs.
The Blaze will visit the Modesto Nuts tonight before hosting the next two games of the best-of-three series Thursday and, if necessary, Friday. Games start at 7:05 p.m.
"Hopefully, we can find a way to stay here," Blaze owner D.G. Elmore said in a phone interview. "We've been working hard to keep the field in shape and we've made some significant improvements to the home clubhouse."
The improvements are in response to complaints about aging Sam Lynn Ball Park by Major League Baseball and Minor League baseball.
The concerns sparked rumors that the Blaze was moving to North Carolina.
But the economic downturn dried up the opportunities back East, according to Schoolcraft and Elmore, leaving the Blaze nowhere to go.
"I think they know we're trying," Elmore said. "To be quite honest, since the Carolina deal dried up nothing has been resuscitated. We're just trying to make improvements where we can and hopefully we can keep the wolves at bay."
Thursday's game at Sam Lynn will feature 12-ounce beers for $1.
