Lion’s Field to Close
Forget Wrigley Field, this landmark of Jackson, TN had it’s 50th season in 2007 and it’s hard to imagine its closing. My brother forwarded me a clip from the Jackson Sun.
For scores of Little Leaguers who grew up on Lions Field, there is a touch of sadness in the news of the sale. The field was considered one of the nation’s premier Little League parks when it opened in 1957. In its heyday, Jackson had close to 20 Little League teams. It sent an all-star team to the Little League World Series in 1974.
I was on the “Kelly Foods” team for 3 years. I think I learned all of my first hard lessons about winning and losing there. My first at-bat against Carlos Sampson scared the crap out of me and all I wanted to do was avoid getting hit. My first championship game was lost there. My first home run was there. And my first championship game was won there as well. I couldn’t imagine a better coach and life teacher than Don Jordan.
They say you can’t ever go back home and it’s true. My dad’s restaurant, the Coffman’s barn and much of the area where I grew up were flattened by tornadoes in recent years. And the next time I go back to Jackson, Lion’s field will be just another softball field at Lambuth College.
Sphere It