Blaze blinded by light at stadium

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- When slowly approaching Sam Lynn Ballpark, home of the Bakersfield Blaze, it's only natural to be consumed by an array of feelings. At first glance, the stadium looks somewhat run down and quaint, definitely not the average sentiment when moving toward a typical baseball facility.

There are no bleachers rising, nor are there offices attached to the side of the building. Fans can only recognize the stadium from the big "Bakersfield Blaze" logo strategically painted on the back of the undersized press box.

But as fans stroll through the entrances of Sam Lynn Ballpark, they immediately see the light -- literally. That's because when the stadium was constructed in 1941 it was built backwards, meaning the sun sets in the eyes' of the batter.

While the stadium was built almost 70 years ago, it remains a mystery as to why the original plans had it built in the wrong direction. Tim Wheeler, the official Blaze scorer for the last 14 years, has heard all the premises.

"There are some pretty laughable theories," Wheeler said. "One of them is because Bakersfield is always known for what is called the Tule Fog and it's really thick and can be hard to see at times. So one of the lamer theories is the construction supervisor couldn't see the directions in the fog and laid it out backwards.

"Another one is the construction supervisor knew nothing about baseball. But my theory was that out there at right field is the Kern River, that is dry right now, but this was built in 1941 before the Lake Isabella Dam was built, so you would always have water out there. So my theory, and I have done a lot of research on it over the years, is this was the only direction it could have been built because if you reverse it, then where you had a grandstand and seating would be on unstable ground."

There have been countless other suggestions, such as the intoxication of the construction supervisor or viewing the blueprints incorrectly. Nowadays, everyone's guess is purely speculation.

While the mystery of Sam Lynn Ballpark's construction has yet to be solved, it has lasting effects on the team. The Blaze cannot start a game until the sun is completely set, pushing start times back as late as 8:15 p.m.

On the team's schedule, the times are usually listed for 7:15 or 7:30, but rarely is that when the game actually starts. As sunsets vary, so does the first pitch in Bakersfield.

The Blaze have made some attempts to shield the sun in order to maintain some sort of consistency at the ballpark, but even those efforts were thwarted. There is a large sunscreen to straightaway center, but it doesn't seem to have much of an impact in terms of blocking the sun. Why? "The sunscreen was built prior to the 1993 season to try and cut down on the setting sun," Wheeler said. "Unfortunately, the story has it that the measurements were taken in November of (1992), which is a few months before the baseball season, so the setting of the sun was completely different. If it had been 20 feet higher and maybe 15 feet more toward left field, it would have done its job. But that's what we have."

While the setting sun is Sam Lynn Ballpark's most recognizable characteristic, its tall and shallow outfield walls have always drawn attention. It's only 354 feet from home plate to center field, the shortest distance in professional baseball. However, the 15-foot fence goes toward evening out the task of hitting a home run.

"This is an old park and when you go to some other places in the league there are some really nice parks, so it's not as new and nice as some of the others," said Blaze designated hitter Chad Tracy. "As far as the walls go, it can be deceiving because the walls are pretty high and the wind knocks [the ball] down.

"Despite the dimensions, it's really not that big of a hitters' park because the outfielders are bunched together. You have to really hit it or you are going to be out. It's a different park. This park is just really old and people have to remember that."

While it is readily apparent that Sam Lynn Ballpark -- whose construction made Bakersfield the charter team in the California League and remains the oldest park in the circuit -- isn't short of issues, walking into the place certainly brings a sense of history. With age comes character, and some of the players who have started their careers here or donned a Bakersfield uniform at some point have given the facility a historic aura.

Bakersfield has been home to almost 200 players who have been in the Major Leagues or find themselves on a big league roster. A few undeniably strike a chord with any true baseball lover.

A simple stroll around the ballpark's outdoor concourse shows banners of players like Hall of Fame pitcher Don Drysdale, who began his professional career in Bakersfield in 1954. Hanging from the walls of Sam Lynn Ballpark are banners of Pedro Martinez, Mike Piazza, Eric Karros and Johnny Callison.

Sam Lynn Ballpark may not be the most luxurious park in the California League, and with temperatures normally topping 100 degrees, it may not be the most comfortable. But baseball is a game of tradition.

And that's something about which Bakersfield fans know a thing or two.