BLUEFIELD —
Local baseball fans are seeing “red” when it comes to the teams they hope will replace the Orioles franchise of Bluefield’s minor league team.
The Bluefield Orioles will hold a press conference today announcing the new team replacing the Orioles and Bluefield baseball fans have their own ideas about which team they hope is coming to town.
Barry Perdue, 33, of Bluefield said the Red Sox is his top pick for a new team franchise.
“I’d like to see the Red Sox,” he said. “The tradition the Red Sox have is great. The baseball dynasty they have behind them would bring interest to the town. They’ve got great history and Fenway Park.”
In addition to the Red Sox, the Cincinnati Reds are another team area residents think would be good for Bluefield. Mike Hamm, 53 of Princeton, is pulling for the Cincinnati Reds.
“I went to a Reds came just last week,” he said. “I like how they play. I think it would pull in more people to games. The Orioles are okay, but the Reds are better.”
Tom Hayes, 72, from Brownsville, Texas was visiting family in Bluefield. He comes back for three weeks every year and would also like to see the Cincinnati Reds come to Bluefield.
“I’d like to see the Cincinnati Reds because I’ve been a Reds fan for 15 years, since the era of Pete Rose,” Hayes said. “The Reds are doing well again this year. I would like to see them come here.”
Michael Robinson, 23, of Princeton, would like to see either the Anaheim Angels of the Cincinnati Reds come to Bluefield.
“I like the Angels because I like their coach,” Robinson said. “He instills good morals in the players. I would also like to see the Reds because they’re the closest team to hear.”
Robinson said he believes fans would be attracted to the new minor league team based on how well their major league franchise is performing.
“It all depends on how the major league teams do,” he said. “If the major league team is creating excitement, it creates excitement for their local minor league teams. If they’re always on the news and you’re hearing a lot about them, it brings in more people.”
However, not everyone in Bluefield is seeing “red” for the new minor league team. Danny Sarver, 52, of Bluefield would like to see the Atlanta Braves come to town.
“They’ve always been called America’s team,” he said. “The Orioles have always had a good team, but change can be good. I’ve always liked the Orioles, but since they’ve pulled out, it would be good for another team to come in.”
No matter what, Sarver plans to support whatever franchise comes to Bluefield.
“I would support the team, whatever comes,” Sarver said. “I think they’ll have the same support with any franchise.”
— Contact Kate Coil at kcoil@bdtonline.com
Local News
September 7, 2010
Local fans seeing red in search for Orioles replacement
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