Commentary: How many more Scottie senior players will graduate without a stadium?

T. Wampler
Guest Columnist

When I first visited Historic John E. Richardson Stadium, I was spellbound–this was before the baseball field honored Sam Royse by bearing his name. First of all, it reminded me of two stadiums I had played in (and later coached in) during my high school and American Legion career.

Those stadiums are in Orangeburg and Sumter in South Carolina and baseball is still played at both locations. The ballparks, like Richardson Stadium – Sam Royse Field, are treasured parts of their communities. What amazing stories all three ballparks could tell if they could talk.

The cozy wooden seating that all three ballparks had and the proximity to the baseball diamond just made watching the game for fans something special. An added attraction at Historic Richardson Stadium – Sam Royse Field was the outstanding level of play that the Glasgow Scotties and their competition always provided for their fans and the visitors, who were often as smitten as I was with the park.

I took action photos from the visitors’ side so I was able to hear comments about the great stadium and the manicured diamond.

I first visited the park in 2015 and began covering games there in 2016. I was heartbroken when it burned down so I can imagine what the fans felt that had seen baseball played there for decades. The impact that the stadium had on the community cannot be adequately put in words.

When the beloved stadium was a total loss due to the fire, the community realized that it could not be replaced.

After that realization, there was almost a period of mourning, but then came the anticipation and excitement of what was to come. Fans had always looked forward to coming to the ballpark. Now, what would the city create?

Glasgow High School is in a unique situation since they play all their home baseball games there, but they do not own any part of the facility. The City and Glasgow Independent Schools will need a lease agreement that will require approval from the Kentucky Department of Education.

For generations, it has been a great example of cooperation. The Scotties and their fans have been good stewards of the facilities and the baseball field while the city did its part to keep the baseball tradition alive and well in Glasgow.

The season after the fire was a disaster for fans, with no seating behind or at the sides of the baseball field, and limited seating in the outfield that offered, at best, a diminished view. Sit atop cars and trucks, and bring your lawn chairs, but where were you sitting and what could you see?

Still, the Scottie fans were patient. People understood the issues that developed with the lighting, but plans to rebuild were in full swing, or were they?

And yes, there are new even more stringent guidelines, post-Covid, about restrooms that must be handicap accessible. All problems that have to be solved if there is going to be a stadium built, and if so, when

How long are Glasgow baseball fans going to be without a stadium

How many more Scottie senior baseball players will graduate without a stadium?

The recent photo attached to this column shows the two small metal bleachers that sit atop crushed gravel behind home plate on each side. It is my understanding that portable toilets and food trucks will be at the Scotties’ home games to serve as a canteen.

The familiar smoke of charcoal and hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill will bring the smells of baseball back, but where will the fans go to sit and eat the familiar ballpark food?

My question, and I think the question that is on the mind of long-time Glasgow Scottie baseball supporters, is this—is what will be available for this season the best the City could do?

I cover Glasgow, Barren County, and Caverna sports, and support all three and their teams as best I can with my job as a sports writer. In complete transparency, I have no direct ties to GHS, other than to see a stadium built and their fans have adequate seating.

In my journalistic career, I have covered both city and county governments and know the power of the dollar bill and budgets. I also know that each governing body sets priorities.

With the time that has elapsed, it appears the stadium was not at the top of their list once the lighting situation was rectified and Glasgow could host home games.

Given the time since the fire (July 7, 2022) and knowing the players and fans deserve the City’s best effort to provide a ballpark, has the City of Glasgow made this a priority?

The citizens of Glasgow know that Historic Richardson Stadium cannot be replaced, but there should be a ballpark that the City of Glasgow and Glasgow High School could be proud of and look forward to once again attending games.
The City of Glasgow should be doing its best to honor Historic Richardson Stadium and Sam Royse Field and provide for the Glasgow Scotties baseball team and their supporters.

“We have all the pieces in place to move forward,” Glasgow Mayor Henry Royse told the Barren County Progress in July 2023, referring to rebuilding the stadium. The mayor also said he was hopeful for some historical tie representing the history of days gone by.

On July 7th, it will have been two years since fire destroyed Historic Richardson Stadium. So I ask again, is this the best the City could do?