[jed]

No doubt, Middlesboro's school system doesn't support them enough. However, at least they care enough about the sport to build them a field. It must be terrible for Clay County players to not even have their own field, seeing as though it is a city field. Heck, up to about 10 years ago, they didn't even have a grass infield.

Have you been to Middlesboro's field this season? Probably not, which means you haven't even seen the place since they put down all new grass or added indoor batting cages. Also, their players have their own 600 square foot locker room and two outdoor batting cages as well. Clay has none of these, nor does anyone else in the region besides Whitley, Corbin, or South Laurel.

Not to mention their dugouts dwarf most dugouts in the region, especially Clay, and they have a brick backstop. How many other teams in the region have a brick backstop? You can count them on one hand.

How many other schools have a field tarp like Middlesboro?

Not only is Middlesboro's field way better than Clay's sandbox, but it is above average in our region.

Clay has an indoor facility with two cages, turf and big enough to take ground balls, condition or whatever else they need to do They also have an outdoor cage. They also have two iron mike pitching machines. While I will admit that the school board does not put enough money into it, the field itself is in good shape.

No, I have not been to Middlesboro this year, I am basing my opinion on the terrible conditions there at the regional tourney last year. The ditch behind shortstop is the reason Travis Smith of Corbin is not playing baseball anymore.

And in the end it ultimately does not matter about the field, it matters about the teams. I am sure Coach Smith would play you in a cow pasture if needed.


By the way, Middlesboro's football facilities are also the worst in this area other than maybe Perry Central.