Gary Laing, Oneonta Outlaws owner, says goodbye to the Damaschke Field grandstand as demolition began this morning. The project, which will take several months, will be completed in several stages; the first, taking out the seats and tearing down the fences, will be finished in a matter of weeks. Laing plans to auction off several of the seats at a later date, and the remaining metal will be recycled. A new concrete pad will be poured before winter sets in, and come May 1, new seats will be placed 25 feet closer to home plate for the team’s return on May 15. In addition, the boxes and dugouts will be rebuilt, with 40 feet of netting placed over them for safety. Phase II of the project, rebuilding the grandstands, will be completed after additional fundraising, some of which was secured by state Senator Jim Seward, R-Milford. At right, Hunter Cika and Paul Young, Clark Companies, begin the process of tearing out the old seats. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
MUSIC FEST – Noon – 3 p.m. Enjoy music from Leatherstocking Pipe and Drum Band as they march down Main St. to St. James Episcopal Church where they will be followed by Cajun Pete’s Jazz Band ), and Pipe Organ and Vocalists in the Church. All welcome. Begins at Mueller Plaza, Main St., Oneonta. 432-1458 or visit www.facebook.com/St-James-Church-Oneonta-128875903812158/
THEATER – 7:30 p.m. Set in 1839, “Possessing Harriet” portrays the enslaved Harriett Powell escaping from a hotel, finding refuge with an abolitionist and his young cousin Elizabeth Cady. Free admission, suggested donation $20/person. Reservation strongly recommended. Franklin Stage Company, 25 Institute St., Franklin. 607-829-3700 or visit franklinstagecompany.org/shows-events/this-season/
County Rep. Danny Lapin snapped this picture of the streaker at the Oneonta Outlaws game on Thursday, July 4 and posted it to his Facebook page.
By LIBBY CUDMORE • AllOTSEGO.com Exclusive
ONEONTA – Fans of the Oneonta Outlaws got more than extra innings when a streaker ran across the outfield during a break in the game for the 4th of July fireworks.
“We got a call on the radio that there was a naked man running across Damaschke Field,” said Police Chief Doug Brenner. “One of our guys asked for a description, and the caller said, ‘It’s a guy with no clothes on!'”
At the top of tonight’s meeting, Oneonta Outlaws owner Gary Laing presents Common Council with a drone photo of Damaschke Field, taken last September by Oneonta Job Corps’ first drone program’s students. “This is something you’ll hopefully put up at City Hall someplace,” he said. (Jennifer Hill/AllOTSEGO.com)
State Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford, announces $1 million in funding for improvements to Damaschke Field, including replacing the grandstand at a press conference this afternoon in front of the historic Oneonta ballpark. Behind him are Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig and Oneonta Outlaws owner Gary Laing. “We need to preserve historic features,” said Seward, who brought home a separate $1 million grant in May for Cooperstown’s Doubleday Field. “We also need to prepare for the future. Some upgrades are badly needed.” About 1/3 of the money – it was obtained through the state’s State and Municipal Facilities Program – will be required to raze the grandstand, whose steel girder are rotting. Laing said there are a “lot of good ideas” on how to replace it that will be coming into focus in the months ahead. He called the grant “absolutely incredible.” A tour of the grandstand followed, including a cramped shower room, which home and visiting teams used to share. (Jim Kevlin/AllOTSEGO.com)
Oneonta Outlaws owners Gary and Karen Laing watch a crew from Chenango Contracting, Johnson City, install a circular Astroturf baseball at Damaschke Field’s front gate today. The Laings plan to add picnic tables for the convenience of fans. Laying the baseball-shaped fabric are, from left, Jason Metzger, Binghamton, Lucas DePofi, Endicott, and Sean Lee, Binghamton. Chenango Contracting just completed Astroturing the baseball and football fields at OHS. (Jim Kevlin/AllOTSEGO.com)
WALKING TOUR – 7 p.m. Explore historic Emmons Farm with descendants, followed by refreshments outside Woodchuck Knoll. Cost, $7/person. Reservation required. Meet at The Farmhouse at Emmons, 5649 St. Hwy. 7, Oneonta. 607-432-0960 or visit www.oneontahistory.org/upcomingevents.htm
OPENING – 6:30 p.m. 21st Annual Otsego County Fair Hymn Sing & Special Music at the Grande Building followed by the Agricultural Olympics. Otsego County Fair, Mills St., Morris. 607-263-5289 or visit www.otsegocountyfair.org
BASEBALL – 7 p.m. Support Oneonta Outlaws against Utica Blue Sox. Damaschke Field, 15 James Georgeson Ave., Oneonta. Call 607-432-6326 or visit www.facebook.com/oneontaoutlawsbaseball/
FILM SCREENING – 3:30 p.m. Showing “A Hall for Heroes” narrated by Bob Costas. Depicts founding of Baseball Hall of Fame and first induction in 1939. Bullpen Theater, The Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown. 607-547-7200 or visit baseballhall.org/node/17914?date=0
PLAY BALL – 8 a.m. Ozzie Smith & Hall of Fame Guests host 2-hour fundraiser featuring breakfast in Hall of Fame Plaque Gallery, personalized instruction, chance to turn double plays. All ages welcome, registration required. Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown. 607-547-0397 or visit baseballhall.org/events/PLAYBall-2018?date=0
ROUNDTABLE – 7 – 8 p.m. Presenting TV personality who hosted “One on One,” author Jane Mitchell discusses Hall of Famers Trevor Hoffman and Alan Trammell, other sports celebrities from Ted Williams to Dick Enberg. Cooperstown Village Library. 607-547-8344 or visit www.facebook.com/VillageLibraryOfCooperstown/
DEBUT – 7:30 p.m. Midwest A Cappella group “No Promises” makes NY Debut/release album. Performance features innovative arrangements, harmonization of jazz, motown, contemporary music. Admission, $10. The Star Theater, The Foundry, 44 Main St., Cherry Valley. 607-264-3080 or visit www.facebook.com/The-Star-Theater-at-The-Foundry-1921514351442514/
FAMILY PROGRAM – 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. NYS K-9 unit demonstrates care, training of police dogs & how they help fight crime, assist in other duties. Cooperstown Village Library. 607-547-8344 or visit www.facebook.com/VillageLibraryOfCooperstown/
OPEN HOUSE – 5 – 7 p.m. Meet new doctor Lia Briggs M.D., tour doctors office, see renovations, enjoy refreshments, meet new people. Hoffman Family Medicine, 50 Dietz St., Suite M, Oneonta. 607-643-4045 or visit www.facebook.com/HoffmanFamilyMedicine/
BASEBALL – 7 p.m. Support the Oneonta Outlaws against Albany Dutchman. Damaschke Field, 15 James Georgeson Ave., Oneonta. Call 607-432-6326 or visit www.facebook.com/oneontaoutlawsbaseball/
DANCE PARTY – 6 – 10 p.m. Back to the 80’s with cover band “Flux Capacitor.” Includes snacks, beer, wine, soft drinks. Cost, $25. Proceeds to Greater Oneonta Historical Society building fund. Deer Haven Campground, 180 Deer Haven Ln., Oneonta. 607-432-0960 or visit www.facebook.com/OneontaHistory/
FRONTIER HISTORY – 6:30 p.m. Terry McMaster presents “Ethnicity, Alliance, Family & War – Defenders of the NY Frontier & The Andrustown, Springfield, and Cherry Valley Attack of 1778.” Hyde Hall, 267 Glimmerglass State Park Road, Cooperstown. 607-547-5098 ext. 6 or visit hydehall.org/event/ethnicity-alliance-family-war/
Gary Laing, Oneonta Outlaws owner, says goodbye to the Damaschke Field grandstand as demolition began this morning. The project, which will take several months, will be completed in several stages; the first, taking out the seats and tearing down the fences, will be finished in a matter of weeks. Laing plans to auction off several of the seats at a later date, and the remaining metal will be recycled. A new concrete pad will be poured before winter sets in, and come May 1, new seats will be placed 25 feet closer to home plate for the team’s return on May 15. In addition, the boxes and dugouts will be rebuilt, with 40 feet of netting placed over them for safety. Phase II of the project, rebuilding the grandstands, will be completed after additional fundraising, some of which was secured by state Senator Jim Seward, R-Milford. At right, Hunter Cika and Paul Young, Clark Companies, begin the process of tearing out the old seats. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
