Funk-d-fied
04-27-2007, 09:35 AM
ALPINE Mike Pallanez takes pride in the diamond at Kokernot Field.
“The playing surface is ideal,” the Sul Ross State University baseball coach said. “I think it’s one of the best places to play baseball.”
But Pallanez, who attended Sul Ross and grew up around the ballpark, isn’t opposed to plans to put artificial turf in the structure.
Pallanez said an artificial surface would be better for maintenance and upkeep. Plus, there is the stadium’s location in the Chihuahuan Desert.
“It could possibly (hurt the stadium’s charm), but with the water problem you may see in the near future, you may need something different,” Pallanez said.
The ballpark, which opened 60 years ago this spring, was built for $1.5 million by rancher Herbert Kokernot as the home for the semi-pro Alpine Cowboys. It has hosted numerous Major Leaguers, including Hall-of-Famers Satchel Paige and Gaylord Perry and 1961 American League batting champion Norm Cash.
Kokernot also played host to exhibitions between major league teams. Pallanez said he went to see a spring training “interleague” game between the Baltimore Orioles, who were participating in the Grapefruit League in Florida, and Ernie Banks and the Chicago Cubs, regulars in Arizona’s Cactus League in the late 1950s.
Pallanez said people often come by during practice, wanting a glimpse of the place where their father or grandfather once played.
From the glass block and stone façade at the ballpark’s entrance to the mountains visible over the right field wall, Pallanez said everybody is jealous of Kokernot.
“Coaches in our conference, they really enjoy coming to Kokernot Field,” he said. “They talk to their kids about the history of the stadium. To them and to us, it’s always a great field.”
“The playing surface is ideal,” the Sul Ross State University baseball coach said. “I think it’s one of the best places to play baseball.”
But Pallanez, who attended Sul Ross and grew up around the ballpark, isn’t opposed to plans to put artificial turf in the structure.
Pallanez said an artificial surface would be better for maintenance and upkeep. Plus, there is the stadium’s location in the Chihuahuan Desert.
“It could possibly (hurt the stadium’s charm), but with the water problem you may see in the near future, you may need something different,” Pallanez said.
The ballpark, which opened 60 years ago this spring, was built for $1.5 million by rancher Herbert Kokernot as the home for the semi-pro Alpine Cowboys. It has hosted numerous Major Leaguers, including Hall-of-Famers Satchel Paige and Gaylord Perry and 1961 American League batting champion Norm Cash.
Kokernot also played host to exhibitions between major league teams. Pallanez said he went to see a spring training “interleague” game between the Baltimore Orioles, who were participating in the Grapefruit League in Florida, and Ernie Banks and the Chicago Cubs, regulars in Arizona’s Cactus League in the late 1950s.
Pallanez said people often come by during practice, wanting a glimpse of the place where their father or grandfather once played.
From the glass block and stone façade at the ballpark’s entrance to the mountains visible over the right field wall, Pallanez said everybody is jealous of Kokernot.
“Coaches in our conference, they really enjoy coming to Kokernot Field,” he said. “They talk to their kids about the history of the stadium. To them and to us, it’s always a great field.”