Fans find refurbished stadium

In case you didn't notice when you last visited Lackawanna County Stadium, there were clear signs of age at the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons' home.

When the Red Barons last charged onto the field at Lackawanna County Stadium during last October's Governor's Cup playoffs, the 11-year-old turf on which they played was showing a wrinkle or two, the vivid color long gone from its face.

There was paint chipping away on ceilings and posts.

Even the voice emanating from the public address speakers was starting to fade.

But this season, it was time for a facelift.

In the off-season, the county embarked on a $2 million renovation project, hoping to shave some of the gray stubble off what all of a sudden is the fourth oldest of the 14 stadiums International League teams call home. Only Cooper Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, The Diamond in Richmond, Va., and Dunn Tire Park in Buffalo can claim more years.

Red Barons' Public Relations Director Mike Cummings said the project brought numerous improvements, including new Astroturf, an upgrade of the stadium's sound system, padding around the outfield wall, brighter lighting and new paint on structural steel in the upper deck.

Although the project began in mid-November, Mr. Cummings said workers were still painting fluorescent orange foul lines on the new padded fences about an hour before the first pitch of the season was thrown.

"Getting ready this year was just as scary as it was in 1989 (when the stadium first opened)," Mr. Cummings said. "A lot of stuff got done today. It was a tremendous effort by the staff. If you saw it a week ago, you never would have thought they would get it completed."

Judging by the reaction of some season-ticket holders, the stadium is well on its way to reclaiming the undisputed title of Montage Mountain's brightest jewel.

"I think it looks better than it did on opening night in 1989," said Jim Fox, of Peckville. "I think the biggest improvement is the sound system. I noticed that immediately when I walked in tonight. It's something I've complained about since Day 1 and they finally changed it."

Art Faraday of Clarks Summit was glad to hear about the $1.2 million replacement of the Astroturf.

And as he watched the game from his seats just to the first-base side of home plate, he was even happier to see the results of the project.

"I think it's beautiful," he said. "They needed it bad. The other one had wrinkles and fricassee veins."

Thanks to the changes, few of the Red Barons faithful couldn't think of anything they'd like to see changed.

Not with the stadium, at least.

"I'd like to see more people," Mr. Fox said. "A lot of people are missing what's here by not showing up."

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