For the much of the last three weeks, if you happened to be at Wayne Jamison Field there was a pretty good chance that you also saw Phil Nicewarner. Nicewarner became the “point man” between Bridgeport High School and the company installing the new FieldTurf artificial surface.

 

Without any form of compensation other than the satisfaction of knowing that the installation of the new surface is going to benefit students at Bridgeport High School and the community at large – and a pretty nice tan – Nicewarner found himself putting in full days at the Jamison Field complex. Never once in my half dozen or so visits during that time did Nicewarner complain about being there.

 

I knew, however, I had seen this movie before. Same location, some product, just a different lead man. You see, it was 10 years ago that Walter Barth stood the ground at Jamison Field that Nicewarner recently manned. It was Barth that worked on the initial turf  project that lasted a huge portion of the summer and made sure everything that was needed to be done to have Harrison County’s first artificial surface put in place was not only done correctly, but was never much of a burden to anyone at the high school or community.

 

No one had to remind Phil Nicewarner of Barth’s legacy. From what I know of Nicewarner, I’m sure he was humbled by the chance to play the “Barth role” in the sequel to the turf project at Jamison Field.

 

In fact, I know Nicewarner was pleased to be part of it. And on this day, when Walter Barth was officially laid to rest and memories of him were forever imprinted on the souls of those that knew him, it seemed only appropriate that Barth will also be imprinted permanently on the turf at Jamison Field and that Nicewarner played a part in it.

 

“I came down one day last week and Phil said it would be nice to put the initials WB on the field and we wondered if FieldTurf could do it,” said BHS Principal Mark DeFazio. “(Assistant Principal) Matt (DeMotto) and I talked about it and knew it was the right thing to do, but we needed to see if it could be done.”

 

DeFazio contacted his FieldTurf representative and let him know that Bridgeport High School wanted to honor Walter – who passed away May 28 at the age of 79 – and they would be willing to pay for the initials to be put in place if necessary. DeFazio got good news on more than one front.

 

“I told him that I would like to have the initials on both 20-yard lines and have it done on both sides of the field,” said DeFazio. “They told us not only could they do it, but they would cover the cost.”

 

Understand that doing the addition isn’t an easy process. DeFazio said the addition meant cutting out the area where the initials would be placed and putting in the black letters and sewing it all back together.

 

“I know some people would say with the investment made by the school that they should just automatically agree to do that, but I’ve worked with a lot of companies that would only do something like that if you’re willing to pay for it,” said DeFazio. “Certainly, we’re appreciative.”

 

The work is done. The initials “WB” are clearly visible along the 20-yard lines, just beyond the soccer boundary line and the dashed media line. And being along the media line was no coincidence.

 

After his volunteer coaching days were over at BHS, Barth still was around the football program. One of his game-day duties was to make sure that the media stayed behind a line that Barth himself painted on the field. It wasn’t placed there to prove a point that he was in control. It was placed there to make sure no one would get hurt.

 

Take it from me, Walter Barth made sure the media stayed behind the line. I loved to stand by Walter in the past at playoff games in particular when out-of-town media would show up and go anywhere they pleased. Walter would always politely tell the media member they needed to stay behind the line and why. In about 50 percent of the cases, the person would violate the warning and Walter would be a little more stern the second time. And of the 50 percent repeat offenders, there would be a strike three.

 

Fortunately, after Walter dressed down a person needing dressed down, I never once saw the issue ever make it to strike four.

 

Understand, this wasn’t about Walter pumping up his chest. It was a field rule he was asked to enforce and if you didn’t follow that rule you were insulting those that had invested their money, time and materials into that field.

 

“When it was suggested perhaps we find a way to remember him near that media line it was obvious that area was the best way to serve that purpose. He was a hawk in managing that media line,” said DeMotto with a laugh.

 

DeFazio also chuckled when asked about Walter handling those duties.

 

“That was his responsibility and if you disrespected the rule then you were disrespecting the field. You weren’t going to disrespect that field on his watch. He actually painted (the media line) on the first field and now that media line is permanent,” said DeFazio. “I think it’s a reminder to all what he’s meant to the facility and the community. To myself, Matt and Phil and we’re certain others, there is sentimental value in those letters.”

 

Perhaps Barth’s value not only with the media line, but in serving as the field’s caretaker and a key member of the fundraising that allowed it to happen should be noted way beyond Bridgeport. In fact, DeMotto said his efforts have helped bear fruit elsewhere.

 

“I don’t think it’s unreasonable to suggest that without his effort that the first artificial surface doesn’t even happen. Honestly, if it doesn’t happen here maybe you don’t see turf at Lincoln or turf at Byrd. It’s an easier process to go through for someone else if you know what to expect,” said DeMotto. “Walter, in my mind, paved the way for that to happen. At a minimum, he made it much easier for others in our county and in other places that followed to do similar projects.”

 

DeFazio said there was only one concern that he had with the addition. That concern had nothing to do with the placing of the initials, their size or the chosen font.

 

“Walter, at first, may have questioned those letters being in black because I remember when I told him about the black in this field that he wanted to see it. He eventually came around with the black when he saw the design and said he liked,” said DeFazio. “I think he’d be happy to see it.”

 

Something tells me he already has seen it. After all, the turf’s all-time caretaker was and always will be Walter Barth. And he has initials on there to prove it.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows BHS Assistant Principal Matt DeMotto near the initials that are now part of Wayne Jamison Field, while Barth is shown manning the sidelines in the second photo. In the bottom photo, Barth, the ultimate sports fan, is shown with former WVU basketball player Kevin Jones.