Back in the early part of July, Bridgeport Middle School football Coach Robbie Buffington’s top worry wasn’t how many kids were going to show up this coming Monday for the first day of practice. He wasn’t particularly fixated on whether the team could be competitive.

 

Buffington’s concerns were a little more critical if not highly unusual.  The veteran Braves coach’s biggest concern was if would be practicing Monday on a field of any type.

 

“I was legitimately concerned,” said Buffington.

 

For years, BMS has practiced in the space where the new Johnson Elementary School is being constructed. To remedy that situation, the Board of Education had opted to demolish the old Little League baseball field and complex between Wayne Jamison Field and the BHS baseball field that was seeing little, if any, use.

 

By the start of July, however, the old field still stood. Only dugouts had been removed by the time the middle of the month approached. The problem was the result of the contractor being unable to get equipment into the area needed due to the construction of the new Johnson Elementary School.

 

Although that problem has been remedied to an extent, it wasn’t remedied soon enough. Buffington and BOE officials acknowledged there was no way that grass would take hold in such a short time frame and the planned practice field would not be available. Buffington then had to wait on the assurances from BOE officials, including Superintendent Dr. Mark Manchin, that the matter would be handled.

 

It was.

 

Come Monday, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., Buffington and his Braves will have a place to practice. According to Buffington, arrangements have been made to practice on the band practice field situated behind Bridgeport High School.

 

“(On Monday) we’ll meet initially at the middle school field house at Wayne Jamison Field,” said Buffington. “The only question is once we’re there whether we can walk across Jamison Field and exit on the visitors’ side or do we have to go back through (Bridgeport) City Park. Honestly, I don’t care either way. I’m just thrilled it worked out and it worked out pretty smoothly once we sat down to look at options.”

 

Buffington said finding a resolution proved to be no hassle. He met with BMS Principal Dave Mazza about options and the main thing they quickly agreed upon was that options were limited. From there, discussion included Bridgeport High School Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Matt DeMotto.

 

“That’s where the band field discussion came up and figuring out whether it would be available and, if so, what were the times they wouldn’t be using it,” said Buffington. “As it turned out, the times they aren’t using it are the times I would have picked.”

 

Buffington said he’s not unfamiliar with the large piece of land. He said a few years ago BMS used the same area during the June three-week practice period.

 

“It’s ample sized, it’s safe, and the surface is nice. Most important, it keeps us close to the varsity program where a trainer is on site and our regular facilities,” the coach said. “We’re about 50 yards away.”

 

Buffington wanted to thank Mazza, the BHS administration and Mr. DeMotto in particular. And he also thanked the band.

 

“I’ve never worked with those involved with the high school band and they were excellent to work with,” said Buffington. “They were wonderful and I’m extremely thankful to them.”

 

Like all other sports, physical forms need to be current and dated June 1 or later if not turned in during this year’s three-week summer session. Buffington said along with a 2.0 grade point average, students need to come ready to practice. Students of all other BMS sports are asked to contact their coaches for times of their initial fall practices.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Robbie Buffington manning the sidelines.Bottom pictures shows the field prior to the work that has been done since the middle of July.