Frankly, more taxpayer money went into building the Bank of Kentucky Center. Other than high school regionals, I'm not aware that they let anyone else use the building. No high school volleyball matches or anything of the sort, especially for FREE!

 

More than 150 teams will play at UC Health Field this year. Freedom will host 11 weekend youth tourneys who pay the usual tourney fees and park admission. The Freedom usually sell out weekends in March to colleges who rent the field. Both of these activities create robust economic impact via out-of-town teams.

 

The Freedom are great host for high school games, but there is not a decent revenue stream associated with that brand of baseball unlike youth and college games. They certainly cannot charge the schools since most of the baseball teams have tight budgets and need the admission fees to operate.

 

So, the current deal is simple. Any high school can play there for free. Freedom keep the modest gate and sell concessions to offset the expense of opening/cleaning the stadium and lights if needed. Even though it is not against KHSAA rules, the local high schools decided not to let Freedom sell beer for fear over-served fans would accost coaches or umpires, so their concession revenues are modest.

 

I have 3 suggestions. Stop by the concession and buy something! Mr. Brown does not have to let our high schools use the field, he pays a hefty 6 figure lease in a park he pays to maintain, it's like a way of saying thanks. Plus DO NOT LET YOUR KIDS BRING SEEDS. They mess up the turf and make a mess in general. Parents DON'T BRING SEEDS! I know for a fact it took 4 hours to clean up after a high school game and the parents made the biggest mess. Colleges in our region are going to turf fields because their seasons start in February. It only make sense our local players get experience on turf.

 

In a nut shell, the County has nothing to do with the field, Mr Brown put millions of dollars into the stadium and paying off contractors. Revenue for hosting a high School game is pretty much beak even. So if you see Mr. Brown thank him! It can be a big headache staying to 11 o'clock cleaning up after a handful of spectators leaving food wrappers from Dream Street and cups from convenient stores when these places are doing nothing to help our athletes pursue there dreams.

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I have 3 suggestions. Stop by the concession and buy something! Mr. Brown does not have to let our high schools use the field,

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In a nut shell, the County has nothing to do with the field, Mr Brown put millions of dollars into the stadium and paying off contractors. Revenue for hosting a high School game is pretty much beak even. So if you see Mr. Brown thank him! It can be a big headache staying to 11 o'clock cleaning up after a handful of spectators leaving food wrappers from Dream Street and cups from convenient stores when these places are doing nothing to help our athletes pursue there dreams.

 

Couldn't agree more. I actually forgot about the No Seeds rule a few weeks ago and got called out by a worker. I do not but seeds on the ground either, but rules are rules.

 

I know people seem to either like Clint Brown or hate him. There's no in-between. I think he's a very direct guy that doesn't kiss anyone's butt. I don't really know him well, but I talked to him a few times about this topic and the alocohol sales thing. I's clear that he has little tollerance for ignorant adults with entitlement attitudes, but he definitely wants to do what he can to make sure the KIDS get to play.

 

I don't know the details on maintenance or the public money (if any), but I know that Mr. Brown is trying to run a business and he saved that one from eminent failure. He and his marketing staff are very very creative. While the quality of baseball is not up to Minor League level, it is a goot time and very inexpensive. I Have not made a concert, but I have heard nothing but great things about them and the way the Freedom Staff runs them.

if you would ask the coaches and players of the 9th region they would all tell you that they "do not" like that field. It's not a "true" baseball field, i.e. real dirt, grass,etc.. Its all turf. You have to play back on the ball and have longer throws in the infeild and outfield. The ball off the field is totally different when it hits the turf,i.e. much faster and bigger bounce. The kids are used to playing on "real" fields so why play the regionals on a field that they have not been used too during regional season? Also, the turf field also takes away the small ball game which all teams have been using this year.

 

A bigger issue and one that most do not understand is Clint Brown will not allow metal spikes on the field so most kids are wearing regular running shoes, not spikes. I've seen many kids trown out at first from slipping back to first because they are are wearing running shoes and have too big / long of a lead off, which they are used too on a dirt field. Furthermore, a pitcher wearing running shoes does not get the footing that they are used too which disrupts their regular pitching delivery.

 

Lastly and biggest concern; Clint Brown gets the gate money and refreshments and not the schools which as we all know is much needed. Clint doesnt need the money, hes a millionaire already! There are great HS fields in this area that the kids and coaches have played on and love during the regular season, i.e., St Henry, Dixie, etc. just to name a few that should have the regionals.

 

Again, ask the coaches and players what they like. Not Florence Freedom.

if you would ask the coaches and players of the 9th region they would all tell you that they "do not" like that field. It's not a "true" baseball field, i.e. real dirt, grass,etc.. Its all turf. You have to play back on the ball and have longer throws in the infeild and outfield. The ball off the field is totally different when it hits the turf,i.e. much faster and bigger bounce. The kids are used to playing on "real" fields so why play the regionals on a field that they have not been used too during regional season? Also, the turf field also takes away the small ball game which all teams have been using this year.

 

A bigger issue and one that most do not understand is Clint Brown will not allow metal spikes on the field so most kids are wearing regular running shoes, not spikes. I've seen many kids trown out at first from slipping back to first because they are are wearing running shoes and have too big / long of a lead off, which they are used too on a dirt field. Furthermore, a pitcher wearing running shoes does not get the footing that they are used too which disrupts their regular pitching delivery.

 

Lastly and biggest concern; Clint Brown gets the gate money and refreshments and not the schools which as we all know is much needed. Clint doesnt need the money, hes a millionaire already! There are great HS fields in this area that the kids and coaches have played on and love during the regular season, i.e., St Henry, Dixie, etc. just to name a few that should have the regionals.

 

Again, ask the coaches and players what they like. Not Florence Freedom.

 

I can name many, many players that love playing at Freedom. You may not like it, and certainly there are some players and coaches that don't, but it's hardly a universal feeling.

if you would ask the coaches and players of the 9th region they would all tell you that they "do not" like that field. It's not a "true" baseball field, i.e. real dirt, grass,etc.. Its all turf. You have to play back on the ball and have longer throws in the infeild and outfield. The ball off the field is totally different when it hits the turf,i.e. much faster and bigger bounce. The kids are used to playing on "real" fields so why play the regionals on a field that they have not been used too during regional season? Also, the turf field also takes away the small ball game which all teams have been using this year.

 

A bigger issue and one that most do not understand is Clint Brown will not allow metal spikes on the field so most kids are wearing regular running shoes, not spikes. I've seen many kids trown out at first from slipping back to first because they are are wearing running shoes and have too big / long of a lead off, which they are used too on a dirt field. Furthermore, a pitcher wearing running shoes does not get the footing that they are used too which disrupts their regular pitching delivery.

 

Lastly and biggest concern; Clint Brown gets the gate money and refreshments and not the schools which as we all know is much needed. Clint doesnt need the money, hes a millionaire already! There are great HS fields in this area that the kids and coaches have played on and love during the regular season, i.e., St Henry, Dixie, etc. just to name a few that should have the regionals.

 

Again, ask the coaches and players what they like. Not Florence Freedom.

 

There are great fields around and should be used, but I don't care how nice a field is, there are times where you just won't be playing on them due to weather.

 

So you think Clint Brown should eat the cost because "he doesn't need the money.". What a ridiculous statement. He has money because he's a smart businessman and used those business skills to save that one. He has people he employs that count on him to keep it going.

 

I have never heard a player say anything negative about playing there.

All sports are evolving and so are the playing surfaces as proof of some of the local football teams installing turf fields. The Freedom have a professional sports complex period. PRP HS has a turf infield, UC, U of L, and NKU turf fields. All through college many schools have turf fields for the obvious reasons.

 

It's okay to be a traditionalist, I like wood bats as much as anyone, heck, I had someone try to sell me hickory shaft golf clubs, but sports evolve, i.e. the football helmet, air Jordan's and the metal bat.

Well of course Clint Brown needs the money---He has to pay his "FARE SHARE" after all....:ohbrother:

1st the City of Florence has the ban on metal spikes because it voids the warranty. Freedom leases the field and must comply. Borrow a pair of molded cleats, Chuck Taylor's are made for basketball courts and are not the best option. 2nd how the ball bounces and fielders, you won't find a truer hop than on turf. Players play back because it increases their range on hot shots. If the players play farther back than their arm strength its on them, but he can bounce it to 1st like Dave Concepcion if he wants, true bounce for the 1st baseman as well. Ohio State would not have invested so much money for a turf field if it hampers play. I have coached and been to tournaments all over and seen some very dangerous fields, routine grounders turn into SS's holding their teeth in their hand or foul ball line shots into an unprotected dugout taking out a bench player. Believe me when you get your tournament drawl and truck out to a field in how knows where the kids are relieved to see the turf. No question.

3rdly, Frank your 4th post ever and you chose to stick to your finger in the eye of someone who has done nothing but devote his time and money to Northern Kentucky amateur baseball, per letting high school teams use a multi-million dollar sports complex with great sight lines for FREE! and having a training center for our youth who is manned by former MLB players. Come on Frank... Not well played at all.

1st the City of Florence has the ban on metal spikes because it voids the warranty. Freedom leases the field and must comply. Borrow a pair of molded cleats, Chuck Taylor's are made for basketball courts and are not the best option. 2nd how the ball bounces and fielders, you won't find a truer hop than on turf. Players play back because it increases their range on hot shots. If the players play farther back than their arm strength its on them, but he can bounce it to 1st like Dave Concepcion if he wants, true bounce for the 1st baseman as well. Ohio State would not have invested so much money for a turf field if it hampers play. I have coached and been to tournaments all over and seen some very dangerous fields, routine grounders turn into SS's holding their teeth in their hand or foul ball line shots into an unprotected dugout taking out a bench player. Believe me when you get your tournament drawl and truck out to a field in how knows where the kids are relieved to see the turf. No question.

3rdly, Frank your 4th post ever and you chose to stick to your finger in the eye of someone who has done nothing but devote his time and money to Northern Kentucky amateur baseball, per letting high school teams use a multi-million dollar sports complex with great sight lines for FREE! and having a training center for our youth who is manned by former MLB players. Come on Frank... Not well played at all.

 

Well my sarcasum did not go over well---I was trying to point out how outragous and jealous the comment of KYWONDER was about Mr. Brown having too much money!!!! I for one am so tired of others lack of understanding of the risk that a person who is brave and smart enought to start their own business and risk their own financial security . To add insult to injury...the PODUS keeps commenting about small businessmen not paying their fare amount of taxes. I am a BIG CLINT BROWN fan. I love the Freedom and I was so annoyed with KYWONDER's comments that I thought it would be obvious that I was mockining him....... SORRY

if you would ask the coaches and players of the 9th region they would all tell you that they "do not" like that field. It's not a "true" baseball field, i.e. real dirt, grass,etc.. Its all turf. You have to play back on the ball and have longer throws in the infeild and outfield. The ball off the field is totally different when it hits the turf,i.e. much faster and bigger bounce. The kids are used to playing on "real" fields so why play the regionals on a field that they have not been used too during regional season? Also, the turf field also takes away the small ball game which all teams have been using this year.

 

A bigger issue and one that most do not understand is Clint Brown will not allow metal spikes on the field so most kids are wearing regular running shoes, not spikes. I've seen many kids trown out at first from slipping back to first because they are are wearing running shoes and have too big / long of a lead off, which they are used too on a dirt field. Furthermore, a pitcher wearing running shoes does not get the footing that they are used too which disrupts their regular pitching delivery.

 

Lastly and biggest concern; Clint Brown gets the gate money and refreshments and not the schools which as we all know is much needed. Clint doesnt need the money, hes a millionaire already! There are great HS fields in this area that the kids and coaches have played on and love during the regular season, i.e., St Henry, Dixie, etc. just to name a few that should have the regionals.

 

Again, ask the coaches and players what they like. Not Florence Freedom.

 

WOW as Coop and others have said, it's true that some don't like it and I know one very well who doesn't like it at all but to make a blanket statement like you did is a joke and honestly shows how little you really know or understand.

Went over my head like Fogle homer! Lol, I need to lighten up! Hopefully the fields are dry and I can catch some baseball!

Went over my head like Fogle homer! Lol, I need to lighten up! Hopefully the fields are dry and I can catch some baseball!

 

No am sorry---as you said--I am new to BGP. I need to remeber that sarcasm does not always translate.

No am sorry---as you said--I am new to BGP. I need to remeber that sarcasm does not always translate.

 

I'm pretty harsh on people and I truly read your post correctly. I thought you were being sarcastic and agreed with me that it was ridiculous to act like Clint Brown owes something to these kids because "he has enough money"