Narrows preview from the Bluefield Daily Telegraph
- Thread starter SW_VA_boy
- Start date
Wow, what a great read. That's two BIG boys right there.
The fact that Stinson plays the hot corner on the ball diamond tells you how good his reaction time must be.
It looks like there are going to be some exciting Friday nights at that big old bend in the river.
Isn't the football field over at the Elementary School?
The fact that Stinson plays the hot corner on the ball diamond tells you how good his reaction time must be.
It looks like there are going to be some exciting Friday nights at that big old bend in the river.
Isn't the football field over at the Elementary School?
Yes, Ragsdale Field is at the Elementary School, with the old HS behind the east end zone. Also used to be a minor league baseball stadium for a Appalachian League team from 1946-50 that eventually moved to Salem and started play in 1955. They were the New River Rebels and a White Sox affiliate. That team eventually ended up being what is the Salem Red Sox today.
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Narrows has a pretty cool set up. Not to mention how high and close to the field the press box is. Over on the swva sports forum they were talking about how new fields have bleachers with low elevations and far from the field. Narrows is the exact opposite, right on the field and the bleachers climb at a pretty good angle.
Also funny to see extra points kicked on top of the building and someone have to go get them. Definitely a cool place. Hope they can stay in it when the eventually have structural issues and not end up with a cookie cutter field at their HS.
Also funny to see extra points kicked on top of the building and someone have to go get them. Definitely a cool place. Hope they can stay in it when the eventually have structural issues and not end up with a cookie cutter field at their HS.
Several years ago, they completely tore down the seating on both sides and built back brand new. Home side seating probably 25% less that it was with the concrete grandstand. I have to say I personally miss those with the wall facing the visitors the seperated the top and bottom. But it's good to go for years to come.
I have just put Ragsdale Field on my places to stop by and see. You guys have to have my back next summer when I make my big loop through SWVA. When they see what looks like a crazy guy trying to walk around and get into your football fields, somebody tell the authorities that I'm harmless.
Other than Ragsdale, I want to see the old field at the elementary school at Haysi, and the field at Hurley.
There are many of you I hope to be able to cross paths with just to say I met you. If you know of other unique fields you would recommend, please tell me about them. Also, I love old school buildings. I especially like old schools that are still in use with minimal changes, but even School buildings that are no longer occupied, I find interesting. Thanks for your recommendations.
Other than Ragsdale, I want to see the old field at the elementary school at Haysi, and the field at Hurley.
There are many of you I hope to be able to cross paths with just to say I met you. If you know of other unique fields you would recommend, please tell me about them. Also, I love old school buildings. I especially like old schools that are still in use with minimal changes, but even School buildings that are no longer occupied, I find interesting. Thanks for your recommendations.
It was shocking for me (east coast VA guy) when I explored SWVA one summer. Drove through Haysi & it was something out of a time-warp. It may be a bit different now, but I just remember seeing a town carved out of the mountain that looked like it hadn't changed a bit since 1955. Just a lot of 50's/60's era looking smaller buildings in the middle of nowhere. Almost an eerie feel to it from an outsider's perspective like mine.
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I've always enjoyed watching games at Ft. Chiswell. That is from their home side. Very bad visitor side. One other place if you want to check out the way it was is Bland Co. field in Bastian, VA. Old wooden bleachers on the visitor side, and they have a guy go around the field with a long stick to reach up each light pole to flip the switch to cut the lights on. I know its been a challenge for them to field a team up there some years, I think its the only system in VA where the 2 county high schools are allowed to combine to field a football team, but they get a good deal of support from the community and they are proud of those boys. They're one of those teams I always hope have a good season even though it's not my team
I've always enjoyed watching games at Ft. Chiswell. That is from their home side. Very bad visitor side. One other place if you want to check out the way it was is Bland Co. field in Bastian, VA. Old wooden bleachers on the visitor side, and they have a guy go around the field with a long stick to reach up each light pole to flip the switch to cut the lights on. I know its been a challenge for them to field a team up there some years, I think its the only system in VA where the 2 county high schools are allowed to combine to field a football team, but they get a good deal of support from the community and they are proud of those boys. They're one of those teams I always hope have a good season even though it's not my team
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There is a lot of that out that away. Different, but the same type of thing, is the way the small towns and hamlets in Southside Va have transitioned. Formerly bustling places are basically abandoned except for a few older homeowners. I find it sad, but it is just the way the world works, I guess.
Thanks 60, I'll have to add them to my list. Especially Bland. With a name like Bastian, I've just got to say I've been there.
I'm like you, I always root for those little schools that face long odds. Those kids work just as hard and are just as proud as the kids in the biggest schools.
I'm like you, I always root for those little schools that face long odds. Those kids work just as hard and are just as proud as the kids in the biggest schools.
If you go to Dickenson County, also recommend going to Clintwood and checking out Ralph Cummings Field. Another place that's sad to see fall out of Friday Night use due to consolidation. The stands were literally on top of action there. Several feet more so than at Narrows. Only thing wrong with the place was the misspelling of Green Wave everywhere. J/K Clintwood folks. Cool place.
Two other places on my list are Chilhowie and Clarke County.
Chilhowie just so I can finally meet one of the finest gentlemen on the forum, Chilwar25.
And Clarke because I once went to a game there back in the 60's. And of course to see my good friend Clarkefan.
And since I will be that close, I'll have to get good old Hamspear to give me the VIP tour of Sherando.
Chilhowie just so I can finally meet one of the finest gentlemen on the forum, Chilwar25.
And Clarke because I once went to a game there back in the 60's. And of course to see my good friend Clarkefan.
And since I will be that close, I'll have to get good old Hamspear to give me the VIP tour of Sherando.
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Bland High School & Rocky Gap High School did join together for sports purposes for many years as two separate high schools but they actually consolidated a couple years ago into just one school - "Bland County High School."
Clintwood used it as all one word. So Greenwave instead of Green Wave.
