Shadle baseball coach Brooks envisions renewed Jackson Field
Tyler Tjomsland photoBuy this photo Chuck Buttz, Ron Brooks and Steve Barge, left to right, play key roles in trying to bring an artificial turf infield to Jackson Field.
It isn’t exactly the Field of Dreams – that story of a baseball field created in a cornfield – but it is one man’s dream to install an artificial turf infield at Shadle Park’s Al K. Jackson Field.
Shadle baseball coach Ron Brooks and a supporting cast have bit by bit, through word-of-mouth, made believers of former Legion players who are pledging, in partnership with American Legion Baseball, to make that dream a reality.
“The project was kicked around two or three years ago by American Legion,” said Brooks, a 1973 graduate and lifelong Highlander. “It came down to an old man’s challenge. It’s a vision, a dream and you never lose hope.”
Brooks was encouraged when he heard positive comments from other baseball fanatics, among them former Legion players Dana Richardson, Keith Snyder, Tim Rypien and Vern Hare, and longtime coach Joe Everson, who are all on board and helping spearhead the project.
“It’s a community effort from former players who have a vested interest in baseball in this town,” Brooks said. “Back in the day when American Legion was the only (summer) game in town, it created special memories.”
Shadle’s baseball field is the only high school diamond in Spokane with lights. It is named for former Legion commissioner Al Jackson, who sat vigilant tending the gate for decades, keeping baseball affordable for players and espousing the American Legion philosophy.
The park has been Legion’s home since 1969. As might be expected, rainy springs and busy summers have taken a toll on the old girl.
“By the time you’re closing it down for the summer, it might not be the best playing surface in town,” Legion president Steve Barge said. “It’s been used hundreds, if not thousands, of times.”
Although there have been problems with the lights, Brooks said they are useable.
It’s the field that is his major concern.
“It will never go away, because it’s the only lighted field in town,” he said.
Barge and current commissioner Chuck Buttz have joined in supporting Brooks and his buddies’ quest. The carpet infield is akin to Gonzaga Prep’s football turf and has been installed by numerous high schools in Western Washington. It would be better able to withstand spring rains and reduce wear and tear in the summer.
Despite the trend toward select travel teams, Spokane’s league, 47 teams strong, is still the largest in Washington.
American Legion baseball was started in 1925 and initially funded by the major leagues. Today there are 5,400 teams representing every state, plus Canada and Puerto Rico, and the organization has a system of league, state and regional tournaments that ultimately culminate with a national World Series.
If the field is renovated, it would create the opportunity for more state and regional tournaments, Barge said.
The total cost of renovating Jackson Field is in the neighborhood of $160,000, Brooks said. Simply by networking through telethons and social media, ex-players by the hundreds have raised half the cost. Brooks’ goal is to have the rest in time to begin work in the fall.
“Realistically, in a down economy, if it takes a year or two we’re going to get it done,” Buttz said. “I think it is something that will be really beneficial to the community.”
In addition to the obvious benefits, it will reduce injuries and create truer hops for infielders, Buttz said.
The mind-boggling show of support has buoyed Brooks, who said the current economy could be an advantage.
“My gut tells me we’re going to get it done,” he said. “It’s something that will change baseball in Spokane.”
9:22 a.m. Jul 12
Greg, since he has been dead for a long time, maybe we can speak frankly about Al Jackson. True, he built the Shadle Field. However, he ruled American Legion Baseball in a dictatorial and arbitrary fashion. He was also openly biased against Catholics, so he often did things to screw over the G-Prep teams. One time he ordered them to forfeit a playoff win because a few of the uniforms did not have a American Legion patch on the sleeve (as had been the case all season). Arbitrary surprise haircut checks on star players. He would not show up to award the American Italian Club (G-Prep) teams their trophies when they won local and state level playoffs.
He did crap that nobody could get away with nowadays. And it was not necessarily for the good of the program. It was because he liked power and like wielding it. He made a lot of kids bitter about baseball.
Don’t take my word for it. Ask any long time reporters of HS sports and Legion ball like Mike Vlahovich and I think they will confirm that Al Jackson was not a nice person.
The Field really ought to be renamed without his name.
9:55 a.m. Jul 12
Al…..Kinda surprised that you brought this up. Probably many folks don’t remember this occurence back in the summer of 1987. I was there as well when the “Patch-Gate” incident occured. The requirement to have American Legion patches on Uniforms is a national edict and has been for decades. It still is, and if teams don’t have them this (and next) week, they don’t get to play either. It’s a state and local rule as well and there is no denying this long-held requirement by any coach. Washington Trust Bank coaches refused to put patches on all of their uniforms after being told MULTIPLE times to do so. They (coach Beach and parents) were basically telling Al to “get over it” and not worry about a seemingly “trivial” issue.
Perhaps Al simply didn’t like the “above-the-law attitude” they were sporting at the time? The bottom line is: If I am told by the commissioner (or my boss) to do something I know is policy or feel the consequences, I’d better comply. I really don’t fathom your statement of “screwing over the Catholics” at least on this issue. If it had happened to my team, was he “screwing over the Protestants”? Really Al? C’mon…And, as long as you are throwing names around, you can bring Mike Vlahovich into this all you want. Mike was onsite during this issue as well and followed it just like the rest of us. I know Mike well and he doesn’t share your abhorance of the man.
You might be absolutely correct in your assessment of Al being a cranky guy and sometimes tough to deal with. But he kept Legion together in Spokane. I’m not sure if this is the case still, but Spokane used to have the most American Legion teams/players of any city in America short of Cincinnatti, Ohio. And, it still thrives today largely because of Al K. Jackson’s legacy.
10:50 a.m. Jul 12
Middleman, the patch incident taken alone would be one thing. However, the fact of the matter is that Al Jackson was heavy-handed and arbitrary going clear back to the late 1960’s when they used to play American Legion games at Underhill Park and I was a little kid watching them.
Can you really assume that American legion BB would have died without him? I don’t really think so. Until about 10 years ago, it was just a straight extension of the HS baseball season with ready-made teams based on the HS teams. It did not take a rocket scientist to run the program. Somebody with diligence and common sense, for sure; however, Al Jackson was a mean and nasty dude and he held some serious grudges against anybody who would not kiss his you-know-what.
He could have accomplished just as much and been just as effective if he had exercised his power with a little diplomacy. a little humor and a little bit of humility. He acted like he was a Marine drill sergeant with a bad attitude.
I am just saying that we should not make Jackson out to be George Washington and Abe Lincoln all rolled together.
I am reminded by todays accounts about Joe Paterno. Sometimes sports figures (and other heroes) turn out to have had some serious character flaws. The days of glorifying people based on longevity and unexamined reputation alone are well over.
11:07 a.m. Jul 12
Al…..I can’t disagree with any of your statements in the last post. And, you are correct. You should have left “patch-gate” out of it. I knew Al well and he could be difficult to deal with at times. Would Legion have died without him? Maybe not. But, perhaps we would have many more “select” teams now. Who is to know? I do know that Ron Brooks and other folks who have been a part of Legion for almost 40 years (as I have), thought he stood for “Americanism” in the American Legion sense enough to name the complex after him.
I’m sure none of the kids that play their now (and many of their parents) don’t even know who he is (was). I didn’t know Joe Albi. He may have been a drunken womanizer. (not intended to be a libelous statement, so please no lawsuits…LOL). But, I will always call the place Albi Stadium with no signs of remorse regardless of the type of man Joe was (probably a great guy actually).
I know Al’s wife has passed away, but kind of biting to read an article besmearching your father if his kids read the blog today, don’t you think? Afterall, the article was just about Turf, not AKJ.
11:49 a.m. Jul 12
So, Aloysius, where do you stand on the turf project? Making a contribution?
12:03 p.m. Jul 12
Dear Pete,
Good point. More artificial surfaces would serve the community well. I belong to a service club and maybe we can chip in a few bucks. I did not spot an address, but I assume Coach Brooks c/o Shadle HS.
10:58 a.m. Aug 14
You can donate to the turf project in two ways. Online at alkjacksonturfproject.com or mail a check to Spokane American Legion Baseball PO Box 11 Spokane, WA 99210.
Thanks to everyone who has supported this project. It is all about the kids and giving Spokane athletes the same advantages that players on the west side and other parts of the country enjoy.
11:04 a.m. Aug 14
“they used to play American Legion games at Underhill Park and I was a little kid watching them.”
How did I look?
11:16 a.m. Aug 14
Come on Al…you have to admit I sat up straight and my posture was good, and I only got in trouble once.