Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 10, 1994 TAG: 9404100116
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Of course, he's never pitched there, and he's managed only three games in Salem's cozy confines, where the outfield always plays in, no matter what the situation.
This Carolina League season - the 50th - is the end of the tradition of Municipal Field. Either Salem gets a new field of dreams next to the civic center - Ballpark on the Boulevard? - or the Buccaneers get a new postmark.
This is Jewett's third tour of Municipal Field. He was the Bucs' backup catcher in 1989 and coached part of the '91 season in Salem, too, after he retired as a player that spring. Only 30, he's already in his third season as a manager in Pittsburgh's farm system.
If his home ballpark's dimensions aren't daunting to Jewett, he's definitely an exception among the skippers who have let their teams slug it out here. Of course, Jewett hit only two homers in five pro seasons.
There is another tradition Salem spectators want the Buccaneers to end in this 68th season for Municipal Field, where the opening series with Frederick closes today with the first of six Sunday afternoon dates.
In recent seasons, the Salem numbers behind the decimal point in the standings have resembled the distance to the center field wall.
That's 408.
The Buccaneers have produced 11 straight losing half-seasons. Salem has enjoyed only four plus-.500 halves in the past 12 years. The Bucs won the Northern Division first-half race in 1988 and then headed south.
No, that's not just because the Bucs moved to the Southern Division last season. Salem hasn't finished above third place in a divisional race since '88. The franchise hasn't had a winning record in both halves of a season since the Miguel Dilone-led league champions of 1974. Bucs' designated hitter Jason Kendall was born midway through that season.
Six of the seven other CL franchises have had double-winning seasons since 1990. Prince William last did in '82, when playing in Alexandria. Every club in the league except Salem has finished first or tied for first place since '91.
That said, Jewett's club may have the most Salem talent since the Buccaneers he played for in '89 sent six players to the majors. "If the team stays together, we plan on winning," said Jewett, who wasn't talking big simply because he's a Texan. "I like our starting pitching, so I like our club."
Pitching in Municipal Field is a bit like watching Late Show with David Letterman. You just never know when someone will curse and lose their shorts. Jewett said he has "five good starting pitchers and another waiting in the weeds here."
Of course, in the bushes, it's here today, gone tomorrow. And, the four lowest clubs in Pittsburgh's system - from Salem down - were a combined 65 games below .500 last season. Those teams included these Bucs.
They will put a period on the history of a ballyard that opened in 1927, the year Babe Ruth hit 60 home runs. In 1939, the grandstand was constructed and the field direction was reversed to its present diamond. Fifty-five years later, another turnaround would be special in a ballpark that has been home to a Salem pro club every year since 1957.
"There are some headaches here, sure, but this is a nice ballpark," Jewett said. "You're never out of it here. There are different elements, but this ballpark tells you some things.
"You find out who has b-- enough to throw it over the plate. That has some value. You find out which hitters have the discipline to not try and hit it out every time up."
While pitchers just try to manage in Municipal Field, Jewett manages differently. "I don't run as much here," he said. "Because of the element of the home run - at any time - you end up second-guessing yourself if you get thrown out and the next guy hits what could have been a two-run job."
Salem remains on the route to the bigs. On the Pirates' 25-man Opening Day roster, 10 were former Buccaneers. The franchise has produced 11 straight seasons with attendance gain, the longest such streak in the majors or minors.
Those who say they will miss the quaintness of Municipal Field swoon over the lovely mountain view over the outfield walls. The same view would loom above a civic center park, sans the Valleydale smokestack.
It's another view that needs to be changed in Salem - the one of the other Carolina League teams north of the Buccaneers in the standings.
"This ballpark is nostalgia," Jewett said.
So are the memories of Salem success.
by CNB