Pennlive.com: State releases $500,000 for Commerce Bank Park

According to Pennlive.com the state has released $500,000 to help rehabilitate Commerce Bank Park. The article continued by saying: "$500,000 for Commerce Bank Park rehabilitation, work to include the construction of a public plaza, comfort facilities, parking and pedestrian walkways."

No comments were made by the Senators front office regarding the funds.

Just my thoughts........
Personally I wouldn't expect many renovations/upgrades for the start of the 2009 season. Back in January 2008 I wrote an article Stadium Renovations. In it I stated "If State funding is required for the project I’m not expecting stadium renovations to begin until after the 2009 season at best." At this point I'm sticking to that statement. That statement was wrote before all the budget issues/recession really began. Funding is harder to come by today then it was 6-months ago as everyone is starting to feel the effects of the recession; states are no exception.

Harrisburg was without a baseball team for 35 years. We should enjoy the fact that there is a team for us to watch. The stadium could use some upgrades. But are they really NEEDED (maybe some are)?

I visited a Low-A affiliated stadium during the 2008 season that is in REALLY, REALLY bad shape and actually NEEDED completely renovated. When I mentioned it to other baseball fans they called that stadium "historic", "what a real minor league stadium is supposed to be like", "classic", "enjoyable place to watch a game", and the list goes on.... The facilities were in need of repair; it was almost a challenge to find a bathroom that worked. On the press side of things there was a steep climb to the press box which was on a spiral stair case and was slightly dangerous. Press had field access but they accepted the high risk of getting hit by a foul ball as there was no netting or protection offered (basically we were sitting on the field). Don't get me wrong I enjoyed the trip, would surely go there again, liked the staff and the fans were great but it made me appreciate what we have in Harrisburg at Commerce Bank Park.

I guess the point of my speech is that it's difficult for Senators fans to see money being thrown around to Lancaster, York, Altoona, various soccer stadiums and little or none being given to Harrisburg but we should enjoy what we have and be grateful we have a team to watch and support. There are stadiums far worse then ours.