Back in March, officials from Bridgeport Middle School were with Harrison County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Manchin for a little field trip. The group had gathered at the old Bridgeport Little League field behind the home side of Wayne Jamison Field.

 

The purpose was to discuss the removal of the rarely used facility to create a new practice facility that would primarily be used by Bridgeport Middle School’s football teams and others as needed. Having the property in the area to be refurbished was critical as the field long utilized in August and beyond for football practice was selected as the site for the new Johnson Elementary School.

 

During that March meeting, Coach Robbie Buffington was particularly happy. Not only was his team going to have a new practice site that was likely going to be much better than the previous one, but it was going to be located close by where carrying equipment and other necessities weren’t going to be a problem.

 

Now, however, the status as to where Bridgeport Middle School will practice when the Braves start the 2017 football season is up in the air. As it stands now, the likelihood of the field being ready by August 7 is becoming less likely each day.

 

As of Monday, work outside of the removal of dugouts had yet to begin on the area. The fence, the scoreboard, signs and other remnants of the field were still in place. Harrison County Schools Clerk of the Works Neil Quinn said he was hopeful work would begin soon.

 

“Part of the problem was that access was cut off to the site by the construction project out front, but we’ve got another way in now. The contractor was actually on site last week and I expect him to start soon,” said Quinn.

 

Quinn said Martin’s Turf Care will handle the project. However, Quinn was not comfortable assuring that work would be done and the field would be ready by the early part of August.

 

“We’re going to be seeding so a lot of how well the grass grows between that time and August is a big deal. Even with that, trying to play on grass that three weeks old will be a problem so it’s hard to say that the field will be ready,” said Quinn.

 

The options of artificial turf and even sod are too expensive to consider for a practice field said Quinn. That, however, doesn’t leave many options. Buffington, who is trying to be optimistic, is concerned about not just the field, but where the team will practice as he agrees with Quinn in that three weeks of growth isn’t long enough

 

“I’m no expert on grass, but I know enough to know three weeks is not a proper time frame under adequate conditions and right now is about the worst time to grow it,” said Buffington.

 

What that would mean is that another practice area would be needed. Buffington said due to the fact his players don’t drive and have equipment at the complex, that it needs to be close by. Considering that fields are already booked up that could be a problem. Quinn said they’ll do what they can.

 

“We’ll have to find a plan B and find another area if needed,” said Quinn.

 

Harrison County Superintendent Mark Manchin said a “Plan B” will be created if necessary. And he assured those involved that there will be a practice site made available.

 

“Ideally, we would want this done before August 7 and my hope is to accelerate that process. Even with that, I’m aware that grass may not take in that time period so we’ll sit down with the coach, other key parties and try and determine what’s best. I guarantee there will be a place to practice, but I can’t guarantee where.”

 

Manchin hopes to have a better gauge after this evening. He said he’ll have a better understanding of the situation after hearing a report from Quinn at this evening’s Board of Education meeting.

 

Buffington said he’s not been told anything at this point. He said he’s certain Board of Education officials will work with him prior to the start of the practice season to have a plan in order if needed, which he believes will be the case.

 

“I’m confident they’ll work with us, but if the field is not ready and I’m just about certain it will not be ready, then we’ll need an administrative decision at the county level to tell us what our option is,” said Buffington. “The board will have to work with officials at our school, the high school and maybe even the city to find a solution.”

 

Manchin’s comments assure that will happen. While Buffington may have some anxiety over the current situation even with those assurances, he also has excitement at knowing the new field is still in the future. And that’s making deal with the possibility of some inconvenience a little more tolerable.

 

“It’s going to be good when it’s done and there are lights there. While we want our kids to get acclimated to the temperatures in August because they play in them early on, having the option to have a practice once it’s cooled down will make a difference,” said Buffington. “This will also have a much better surface. That old field was hard and rocky so if we can get things straightened out this year then I don’t think you’ll hear too much complaining. I just need to know soon how it’s going to be straightened out.”

 

Manchin said that answer is coming.

 

“We’ll figure this out sooner rather than later,” he said.