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MARTINY FIELD
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Martiny Field has been a staple of the NWBL for almost a decade. The league first took off in 1999 when the Martiny's put in their pool, which now serves as the right field fence. The fence, at about 8 feet high, serves as Martiny Fields version of Boston's "Green Monster" except for the fact that it's purple. Because of this, the wall will forever be known as the purple monster. It invites hitters to power the ball past its 48 feet into the pool, making a "splash down", much like in San Fransico. The upper deck, as it's called, is a perfect place for watching games, it has benches and a perfect view from foul territory.
The quirky gap between the center field fence and the right field fence adds some personality to the field. The ball could go over the corner of the pool and still land in fair territory, possibly changing a home run into an out. The left field fence is much farther away than the right. At 67 feet, there is a 19 foot gap between the two, a 27.4% difference. Dead Center field is 72 feet away from Home plate, making it a long shot for all but the best power hitter. The right field power ally (the end of the pool) is a measly 54 feet away, making it a target of people attempting to bat left handed.
103rd street beyond left and center field provides an ambiance to the field. The passing cars make it feel almost like I-70 to Kauffman stadium. The cars have to duck in cover from the major power hitters, as they are likely targets for stray balls. The bushes to the right of the foul pole provide cover for line drives, stopping them from the damaging effects of automobile tires. Stray balls get can lost down the street, occasionally going down to the sewer. They may also get lost in bushes, or even become so damaged by cars that they can never be used again. It is then that the balls are given proper burial, thrown into the creek area east of the field.
Home Run hitting aren't the only way precious wiffle balls are lost. The bushes in foul territory behind first base also are of cause. The bushes take overthrows and hide them within their branches, causing the one base on an overthrow to be necessary. The bush behind home plate also plays a part in ball snatching, getting the pitched wiffles and snaring them in its branches.
Martiny field is best known for its tree that takes bombs and turns them into cans of corn. The tree has made many would be shots into easy outs, making it the blunt of criticism for players. There was even an instance where a branch fell, almost landing on a players head, possibly severely injuring him, if he had not gotten out of the way.
Other fields have attempted to emerge as secondary fields, Pedersen Park, and David Ray Memorial Stadium come to mind, but nothing can ever replace the love for Martiny field. After 10 years, it's still the epitome of Neighborhood Wiffle Ball.
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view from above the deck
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Right field line
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View into center field
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Left field line
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home plate from second base
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