For Robert Shields, the wins are coming this year even when not actually competing. In fact, things are going his way even though the possibility exists his Bridgeport High School baseball team won’t even be impacted by a recent decision.

 

Shields, who was a proponent of keeping the West Virginia State Baseball Tournament in Charleston, was like many others recently. He found out that the games that have been played for decades in the state capital will remain there for the next several years.

 

Last week, the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission Board of Directors voted to keep the tournament in Charleston. The games will remain at Appalachian Power Park, which is where the Indians have managed to win a state record four-straight state championships.

 

The bid by Charleston was unanimous giving Shields yet another win. And surprisingly, it wasn’t against Morgantown.

 

There was talk by many that Morgantown would put in a bid for the tournament featuring Class AAA, Class AA and Class A schools as the city is now home to Monongalia County Ballpark. Instead, the only other bid came from Linda K. Epling Stadium, which is situated in Beckley.

 

The board heard proposals from representatives from Charleston and Beckley. In the end, the SSAC board opted to stay with tradition and voted 7-0 in favor of staying put.

 

Shields had said recently that he was in favor of keeping the games in Charleston. He said that despite the fact that had Morgantown actually bid on the project many expected, a Bridgeport team qualifying for the state tournament would have a trip of well under an hour to a game site as opposed to the near two-hour trip it has taken in recent years.

 

“I’m happy because it’s been good to us and, as a lot of people know, I love playing on natural grass and Charleston has that and an impressive overall atmosphere,” said Shields. “We feel comfortable there as well and that initial awe some of our kids have had doesn’t seem to be a problem anymore because they’re on the bench and they know if they do well they have the chance to be out there the following year.”

 

Shields said he figured Morgantown would have trouble with a bid due to the time frame. The Monongalia County Ballpark is also home to the Minor League West Virginia Black Bears as well as the West Virginia University baseball program. The Big 12’s tournament falls in line with the timing of the high school baseball tournament and WVU nearly hosted this year.

 

“I had a feeling if they didn’t submit that would be the reason,” said Shields. “As for Epling Field, it’s absolutely beautiful. It’s missing the natural grass, but other than that it’s a great venue.”

 

Epling Field, Morgantown or even another city could be the next site for the baseball tournament – or it could remain in Charleston. Bids will be taken again in four years to host the event. Appalachian Power Park has hosted every tournament since 2005 and prior to that Watt Powell Park was the venue in Charleston.

 

If Bridgeport gets a chance to battle for a fifth-straight Class AA title, it will take place May 31 through June 2 next year.