Carol Anne Costa: There’s No Crying in Baseball - A Team of Our Own

Carol Anne Costa: There’s No Crying in Baseball - A Team of Our Own

“There’s No Crying in Baseball!” Am I right? Newsflash... there has been lots of crying in baseball this week, and right here in little  Rhode Island.  The biggest sobs seem to be emanating from the Pawtucket region.  What a downer!  Pitchers and catchers just reported; a sign of spring even under this oppressive snow.  I think I can smell the sweet grass of a baseball diamond. Heck, I'll even take the  take the dry earthy smell of the precisely  worn dirt field of a sandlot. Ahh, spring is in the air! That reminds me, I have to oil my glove, George (yes, he has a name) in preparation of catches with the young folk in my life. If you haven't had a catch in the new, crisp, warm air of spring, you are, for sure,  missing out. But, I digress. 

Close your eyes and dream; the smack of a fastball as it strikes the web of a well worn mitt, the sound of the umpire calling , “safe!”  It was Roger Hornsby who said,  “people ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do... I stare out the window and wait for spring.”  Oh Roger, you have no idea how many people are right there with you, particularly this winter. But,  as the snow melts so do the hearts of the people of Pawtucket as their beloved PawSox will be leaving the city limits in 2 years. So, if my opinion on this development counters the feelings of the people of Pawtucket,  I apologize and ask forgiveness,  as it feels like I just kicked my Grandmother in the knee.  But,  here’s the real deal, they are leaving, it is time time regroup, refocus, and move on for Rhode Island as a whole.  Think about it -  right now we walked. We did not strike out, fly out, or groundout. We are on first base and waiting for signs. We a can a take a bold lead, or stick close to the base.  It is up to us.  Baseball, economic development, and job creation are all under fire. 

America’s favorite pastime is facing a future that is feeling a bit squishy and the doomers and gloomers are everywhere. “Baseball is dying.” They wail, “the game is way too long, and the TV schedule too cumbersome.” The modern day criticisms of the game persist, but it is baseball, with all of its quirks, curses, and traditions that is as certain as pine tar and rosin bags to be a celebrated part of our culture. For every person who envisions the demise of baseball, there is a boy or girl somewhere being enticed by the smell of a new leather mitt and the feel of a Louisville Slugger as it cracks against a leather stitched hardball.  Little kids playing “outs”, or practicing ground balls as they are bounced off of the garage door or concrete wall are baseball’s past, present, and future. And those kids live, thrive, and play right here in RI. They are the lifeblood of the sport. Wailers, be quiet. Didn’t Billy Dugan played by Tom Hanks in A League of Their Own make it clear, “there is no crying in baseball.” 

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I still listen to baseball on the radio and love it! I often mute TV commentators and power up my radio for what I truly believe a better fan experience but, that’s just me. Baseball is what you make it. It lives in the mind, it is a fantastic game, which is thankfully,  slipped into the American pablum. One of my favorite books is David Halberstam’s October 1964 which chronicles the downturn of the Yankee dynasty and the evolution of major league baseball where  even today we can find guidance in the missteps. Halberstam depicts major league baseball in the early 60’s as an institution which was largely  entrenched and unmoving. What transpired from that neglect changed baseball forever. Does it provide a metaphor for Pawtucket and does it guide us forward? I think so.  Oh to dream of a stadium with a giant Narragansett ICON lighting  up the Providence  skyline  beckoning, “Hi Neighbor.” A home run as I see it. 

The feedback I have heard is so weepy, it makes me sad. “The prices will go up, the family feel will be gone, the blue collar atmosphere will evaporate, the traffic will be an obstacle, and blah- blah-blah.” To which I say, “STOP, there’s no crying in baseball!”  Rhode Island stands on a precipice of moving forward or being caught in a rundown. I believe the 1964 Yankees may well have rethought the strategy if they only realized that the embrace of  change would keep them on top. But, we only get one at bat, let’s make it count, remember we have a runner on first . 

Pawtucket cannot simply sit back and cry interference,  as this day was coming like a rookie trying to beat out a grounder to 1st.  Lack of infrastructure, vision, and retail in a  landlocked stadium were doomed without innovation and buy-in, which  all combined with no easy way to get folks to the park allowed us to barely slide in safe to the place we are now. Face it, Pawtucket in the bottom of the 9th, down by  5 runs with  2 outs, 3 strikes wisely brought in a pinch hitter.  We either root for them or take our foam fingers and leave the stadium. I am up for staying until its over.  What did Yogi say? “ It ain't over til its over.”  As RI steps into the batter box ready to await the pitch it will be from Team RI. The coach in me wants to size up the team throwing the pitches so here's the defensive line up: 

Pitching Coach -  Larry Lucchino

Owner of Boston Red Sox Baseball Club LP, President and Chief Executive Officer since February 2002. Mr. Lucchino serves as a Member of Advisory Board of Roth Capital Partners, LLC. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the San Diego Padres from December 1995 to October 2001.

On The Mound: 

From Rhode Island, James Skeffington, Skeffington a renowned attorney  concentrates his practice in the areas of development, financing, syndication, leasing projects for governmental and private enterprise, and management of civil and employment litigation for large multi-state corporations.  He has been named a Rhode Island Super Lawyer since 2007 by Thomson Reuters. James has also been listed in the Best Lawyers in America publication for his work in Public Finance Law.

In The Bullpen: 

Bernard Cammarata  - Chairman of the Board, TJX Companies, Inc.

William P. Egan - Founder and General Partner, Alta Communications and Marion Equity Partners

Fenway Sports Management - A sister company of the Boston Red Sox and a wholly-­‐owned subsidiary of Fenway Sports Group (FSG)

Habib Y. Gorgi - Managing Director, Nautic Partners LLC

J. Terrence Murray - Former Chairman, President and CEO, Fleet National Bank

Arthur E. Nicholas - Partner, Boston Red Sox

Frank M. Resnek - Partner, Boston Red Sox

Thomas M. Ryan - Former Chairman, President and CEO, CVS Caremark

A great team to be sure! Rhode Island should be thrilled. The Ocean State is  poised to have a team of their own. A team that would be an economic engine, a catalyst  for the capital city and beyond. A team led by Rhode Islanders who are committed to our state . I see beyond the inning at hand. I see the whole game. Just as a great base runner can be a catalyst for movement, “force that run,”  I say. Like in any sport, chances to score are fleeting, so let us not squander this chance to score. I have my foam finger I will remain in the stands and I will cheer for a new day ruled by personal investment,  and a true love of RI. GO RI RED SOX - A team of our own!

Carol Costa is a public relations and community outreach specialist; she has experience in both the public and private sectors. She is the Chairwoman of the Scituate Democratic Town Committee and has extensive community affairs and public relations experience. She previously served in the Rhode Island Judiciary for nearly 17 years. Carol also enjoyed a successful development stint at the Diocese of Providence as Associate Director for Catholic Education and is currently the Executive Director of the Warren Housing Authority. Her work has been published in several local outlets including GoLocalProv, Valley Breeze, The Rhode Island Catholic, and Currents Magazine.