| I.S.C. Graydon's Grumblings |
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Kimberly: It's Big League
Watching Men's Major Men's Open fastpitch at Sunset Park, one can feel the soul of the game.
It's almost like you've died and gone to Heaven.
No other city can make that incredible claim.
The view, which is surrounded by the Fox River in right field, is breath-taking.
It has the essence of ballpark smells. And oh, what an aroma!
It's the sweet smell of success. It's unique. Once they fire up for those cinders for bratwurths, there is no smell other like it. It's the fragrance of Kimberly.
Sure, the German people and their ancestry cultivated it. But there nothing more Americana than that smell.
Leave that smell alone.
It's a Wisconsin natural resource. They should bottle it and sell it.
Everyone has heard about "Air Jordan" cologne. This is "Air Kimberly" cologne.
The Kimberly citizens should take pride in that smell. And never rid themselves of the source. Forget the Odor-Eaters.
It's like a fine barbecued steak. Actually, it's better.
It makes you feel there must be something special in the air. And there is. The essence of extract.
I can't wait.
It's a fantasy-land. You ask yourself about the experience, "Is this really happening?"
Let the ISC World Tournament (Aug. 14-22) begin.
When the old-timers speak in this park, you listen. All you can think about is fastpitch softball.
There aren't enough metaphors and sentences to really describe how I feel about this park.
"No question about it," said Page Brake pitcher Billy Hillhouse. "It's the 'Grand Daddy' of 'em all!"
There isn't a thing which distracts from the beauty of this park. It's the Yankee Stadium of fastpitch softball parks. It's one of those big leagues parks which haven't been taken over by corporate America.
And that's a rare commodity these days. A fresh breath of fastpitch softball. And a lot more.
It's a happening. A rare event.
You have to learn to inhale Kimberly.
But it doesn't take that much time.
"I love that park. It makes you feel special to have played there," explained Larry H. Miller Toyota's Peter Meredith. "The fact they bring beer around in those carts just adds to the big league flavor.
"Once you've played there, you always want to go back. It's the attmosphere that make you want to play your best. If you can't get up to play a game there, you shouldn't be in the game. It's that simple."
It's easy to see why the ISC celebrated its 50th anniversary here in 1996. If not for the historical value, no other place should be allowed to host such an event.
It's like living a fastpitch softball dream.
The ISC Softball Hall Of Fame is only a couple blocks away. It's worth the drive. Admittedly, it is not the Green Bay Packer Hall Of Fame, with its rich tradition, located some 30-minutes away. But it's worth seeing.
And, of course, you can rekindle some of your best fastpitch softball memories. And that's worth the trip.
Let the games begin.
Kimberly happens.
Editor's Note:
DAN PATTISON has been a sports writer and columnist for over 30 years with
The Deseret News, Salt Lake Tribune, Las Vegas Sun, The Sporting News,
Basketball Times & USA Today. He is currently enjoying his
association with men's major fastpitch and as an ISC Commissioner.