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The LowBall Weather Station
The Champlain Valley
- Clear sky
- Temperature: 80.6 °F
- Wind: Southwest (220°), 5.8 mph
- Pressure: 30.04 inHg
- Rel. Humidity: 54%
- Visibility: 10 miles
July 6, 2008 - 4:15pm
Hunter S. Thompson Memorial Greens
Submitted by Hot Rod Beck on April 29, 2008 - 3:35pm.
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." - Hunter S. Thompson
HST, Hunter S. Thompson Memorial Greens if you are not into the whole brevity thing, is located stumbling distance from quaint, semi-historic downtown Bristol, Vermont. The field pays homage in name and quirks to the late, great, and less than sober Hunter S. Thompson.
Constructed in late 2007, HST employs the latest in really inexpensive wiffle field technology. Innovative, though pre-existing, bleachers line the left field line, often crowded with a rowdy younger crowd on sunny afternoons. The outfield fence is 7 feet tall and is spring loaded such that people fantasizing about robbing a ding can fail without fear of breaking their arm or nose.
HST, Hunter S. Thompson Memorial Greens if you are not into the whole brevity thing, is located stumbling distance from quaint, semi-historic downtown Bristol, Vermont. The field pays homage in name and quirks to the late, great, and less than sober Hunter S. Thompson.
Constructed in late 2007, HST employs the latest in really inexpensive wiffle field technology. Innovative, though pre-existing, bleachers line the left field line, often crowded with a rowdy younger crowd on sunny afternoons. The outfield fence is 7 feet tall and is spring loaded such that people fantasizing about robbing a ding can fail without fear of breaking their arm or nose.
At first glance, the dimensions appear to favor the long ball. However, the relative low elevation in comparison to Lincoln combines with the tall fence to shutdown most would be pops. In addition, a slight elevation change along the right field fence raises the difficulty and a nasty maple rigorously defends the right field line line.
Straight away center lies 88 feet from the plate and also benefits from a slight rise. As a promotion for this season, any homer to hit the small building behind the fence will be rewarded with a Miller High Life (or purple Gatorade for non consumers). Should this homer actually knock over the building, the offer will not stand.
The left field corner sits 77 ft from the plate where the fence meets the building. There is a loosely defined portion of the building that juts into fair territory. Generally every game the definition of what is actually fair changes. Two small triangles in the left corner and center constitute the only triple zones at HST. Anything that hits the fence is a ground ruled double.
The pitcher sits atop a flat "mound" that benefits from the natural slope and hurls off a piece of native Fair Haven slate. The owner is said to have played high school ball for the "Slaters". HST is required by unwritten law to always have music in the not so dug-out. The present owners have pledged to not sell the naming rights, though offers and especially generous bribes are accepted.