Press Box

Martinsburg High School's baseball team has won four state titles but the facilities it uses are not indicative of the program's success, according to new head coach Josh Matheny. With the support of the baseball team's nonprofit boosters club, Matheny hopes to raise $40,000 by the end of this year to begin construction on a two-story press box at P.O. Faulkner Park. The new building also will house a concession stand and new bathrooms as part of a multiphase plan to upgrade facilities, Matheny said.

HEDGESVILLE, W.Va. -- Construction of a three-story press box at Hedgesville High School's football field was stopped by Berkeley County Schools superintendent Manny P. Arvon II last week after questions arose about the building's footers, a school district spokeswoman said. "We will certainly not let anything be built that has any questions to it," said Jaimee Borger, director of communications. Berkeley County Engineering Department inspectors "raised questions" about the project and warned that work being done was not in compliance with county regulations, county legal counsel Norwood Bentley III said Monday.

By GUY FLETCHER Staff Writer CLEAR SPRING - They dedicated a new press box at Clear Spring High School Saturday afternoon, but those who made the ceremony possible said it was really about more than a new building. That's because the press box was literally built by the community itself - from the parents who gave up their nights to haul bricks to the area businesses who donated supplies. "It's just tremendous that the community came together to support this school," said Eugene "Yogi" Martin, supervisor of health education, physical education and athletics for the Washington County Board of Education.

Possible naming opportunities for the proposed stadium at North Hagerstown High School: - North High Stadium - $1 million. - Athletic field - $500,000. - Field house - $250,000. - Track - $250,000. - Press box - $100,000. - Scoreboard - $100,000. - Concession - $100,000. - Lights - $100,000. Source: The North High Boosters Club Inc.

The combination of FritoLay and Sheetz made a $10,000 donation to the Hagerstown Colt League and provided several man-hours to help renovate the press box recently.  

By KERRY LYNN FRALEY Staff Writer Sitting between Clear Spring High School's multi-purpose and girls' softball fields, the concrete-block shell of the school's new press box shows what can be accomplished if parents and the community work together, said Principal John Peckyno. "We're looking at an excellent athletic program along with an excellent academic program," Peckyno said. "I think the will is there and the way is there, all we have to do is pull it together. " The press box - scheduled for completion in time for the spring sports season - is a major step toward a long-term goal of upgrading the school's athletic facilities, he said.

In forgiving evening sunlight at Oatesdale Park, the Martinsburg Little League Reds and Mariners squared off Monday on the major division’s new baseball ball diamond. Passionate parents cheered from shaded bleachers that offer a sweeping view of this field of dreams from the outfield as the players chanted from the dugouts. “Little Leagues just dream of something like this,” said William F. “Bill” Queen, president of the Little League Association’s board. In Martinsburg, tucked away on 25.5 acres off Tavern Road, the dream, years in the making, has come true at Oatesdale all over again.

SHENANDOAH JUNCTION, W.VA. charlestown@herald-mail.com Vandals broke into a press box and a concession stand at Jefferson High School's football field Wednesday night, tearing up scoreboard and public address systems and smashing vending machines and food coolers, police said. In the concession stand, melted butter and nacho cheese was "poured everywhere" and all but one window was smashed in the press box, said Detective Victor Lupis of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department.

PTA fundraiser under way Maugansville Elementary School PTA is offering Wolfgang Candy and Flower Garden products for its spring fundraiser. Proceeds go directly to the children for field trips, programs and other PTA-sponsored events. Orders are being taken until Monday. The candy will be delivered to the school April 9.   Call Michelle at 240-329-8543 or order Wolfgang Candy online at www.wolfgangcandy.com and have it shipped to your home. Enter account number WA1031 so the school receives credit for the sale.

charlestown@herald-mail.com CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - Investigators said Tuesday they have three teenage suspects in a string of vandalism incidents at Jefferson High School and the Ninth Grade Center. Two teenage boys from Jefferson County have given confessions which implicate them and a third Jefferson County boy in the vandalism, said Detective Shawn Bonifant of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department. Bonifant said he plans to file juvenile petitions against the boys either this week or next week.

National Little League will hold registration for the upcoming season on the following dates: • Thursday, Feb. 7, and Friday, Feb. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the National Little League press box. The field is at 728 Frederick St., behind the city's Claude M. Potterfield Pool. To help speed up registration, bring completed forms with you. Forms are available at www.leaguelineup.com/handouts.asp?url=nationallittleleagueofhagerstown under the “handouts” menu.  The league is for players ages 4 to 12, based on age as of April 30, 2013.

It seems that my fans are in awe of me. Just the other day, someone told me that I was an institution. … Or was it that I belonged in one? Another adoring minion said that I was a dynasty. Hmmm, maybe he said dinosaur. That doesn't matter. But the truth is prognosticating games is really a family business … a tradition that has been carried on for as long as there has been communication. My family got in on the ground floor of it. Of course, we had to adapt along the way to spread the word.

Martinsburg High School's baseball team has won four state titles but the facilities it uses are not indicative of the program's success, according to new head coach Josh Matheny. With the support of the baseball team's nonprofit boosters club, Matheny hopes to raise $40,000 by the end of this year to begin construction on a two-story press box at P.O. Faulkner Park. The new building also will house a concession stand and new bathrooms as part of a multiphase plan to upgrade facilities, Matheny said.

In forgiving evening sunlight at Oatesdale Park, the Martinsburg Little League Reds and Mariners squared off Monday on the major division’s new baseball ball diamond. Passionate parents cheered from shaded bleachers that offer a sweeping view of this field of dreams from the outfield as the players chanted from the dugouts. “Little Leagues just dream of something like this,” said William F. “Bill” Queen, president of the Little League Association’s board. In Martinsburg, tucked away on 25.5 acres off Tavern Road, the dream, years in the making, has come true at Oatesdale all over again.

PTA fundraiser under way Maugansville Elementary School PTA is offering Wolfgang Candy and Flower Garden products for its spring fundraiser. Proceeds go directly to the children for field trips, programs and other PTA-sponsored events. Orders are being taken until Monday. The candy will be delivered to the school April 9.   Call Michelle at 240-329-8543 or order Wolfgang Candy online at www.wolfgangcandy.com and have it shipped to your home. Enter account number WA1031 so the school receives credit for the sale.

The combination of FritoLay and Sheetz made a $10,000 donation to the Hagerstown Colt League and provided several man-hours to help renovate the press box recently.  

HEDGESVILLE, W.Va. -- Construction of a three-story press box at Hedgesville High School's football field was stopped by Berkeley County Schools superintendent Manny P. Arvon II last week after questions arose about the building's footers, a school district spokeswoman said. "We will certainly not let anything be built that has any questions to it," said Jaimee Borger, director of communications. Berkeley County Engineering Department inspectors "raised questions" about the project and warned that work being done was not in compliance with county regulations, county legal counsel Norwood Bentley III said Monday.

"I'm calling about Obama's trip in Iraq. No, not that trip. The trip where he tripped and stumbled over all the media and news anchors kneeling at his feet and kissing the ground he walks on. " - Hagerstown " I was just wondering what's going on in the news media that they did 114 reports on Obama and only 48 on McCain. Fair? I don't think so. Balance? I don't think so. " "About The Maryland Theatre and alcohol: There's a bar on every corner and a few in between, there's the Blues Fest, Octoberfest, and all the other fests in Hagerstown with alcohol, so what is the difference in The Maryland Theatre having alcohol?

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - It was a time for drama at the Relay For Life of Berkeley County over the weekend. Names of people who have died of cancer are sometimes announced at the event as it is held in different communities. At the local Relay For Life at Martinsburg High School's Coburn Field Saturday night, pictures of cancer victims - as well as survivors - were included in a film produced for the event, said event chairman Jamison Reynolds. The film was projected on two large screens on either side of the field's press box. It was also a weekend of big numbers for the event.

After much anticipation, the new Trojan Stadium finally opened its gates to varsity football Friday night when Chambersburg hosted Mid-Penn powerhouse State College. Chambersburg's revamped facility cost about $6.5 million and is comparable to some college stadiums. Head coach Dave Carruthers said the atmosphere itself should be enough to motivate the Trojans. "I told the kids I didn't need to give them a pep talk because if I need to give you a pep talk to come out here and play, we're in trouble," Carruthers said.