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Large crowd encourages Akron Racers supporters

6,256 at Team USA game is considered a record

By Bill Lilley
Beacon Journal staff writer

Published on Thursday, Jul 24, 2008

Racers General Manager Joey Arrietta finally got to realize her decade-long dream Tuesday night at Firestone Stadium.

There was a fanny in each of the 2,400 permanent seats. There were 1,600 more fans packed into the temporary bleachers behind the home-run fences.

And there was a sea of humanity, another 2,000 or so fans, sitting on blankets and lawn chairs on the hill stretching from left field to center field all the way up to South Main Street.

All for a softball game.

Sure, it was a special softball game. The Racers were hosting the USA National Team led by softball legend Jennie Finch.

Team USA prevailed 6-2.

But Team USA had been to Akron twice before, in 1996 and 2000, and the crowds weren't close to Tuesday night's throng that officially was listed as 6,256.

''It is truly a beautiful sight,'' Arrietta said. ''It's been tough at times over the past 10 years with the Racers, and I had to do a lot of begging for a long time to get the game moved to Akron, but this crowd makes it all worthwhile.

''There are no words to express how excited I am to see so many people at a softball game.''

The crowd is believed to represent the largest to witness a sporting event at venerable Firestone Stadium, which was built in 1925 by Harvey S. Firestone for the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company's industrial league baseball team.

Retired Firestone Tire Recreation and Industrial Relations Director Frank ''Whitey'' Wahl, who was a star pitcher on the Firestone softball team, said it definitely has to rank as the biggest crowd at Firestone Stadium.

''When Hank [Vaughn] and I pitched against each other in games between Goodyear and Firestone in the '50s, we'd pack the stadium,'' said Wahl, 87, who played high school baseball at Firestone Stadium for Garfield in 1939. ''But the stadium didn't have as many seats as it does now. So you'd probably figure there were around 3,000 for those Firestone-Goodyear games, which was a ton of people in those days.

''I'm thrilled that there is that kind of interest in fastpitch softball these days.''

The previous high for professional softball was the crowd of 3,824 that came to the Women's Professional Fastpitch League All-Star Game on July 14, 1998.

''We're showing thousands of people that Akron is big league,'' Arrietta said. ''And this is a great opportunity for our sport, for the NPF [National Professional Fastpitch league] and for the Racers.

''Our players have been great, and our staff, which numbered about 100 for this event, was super. We knew it was going to be a long day when people started lining up to get in and get a seat at 4 a.m. That's a great problem to have.''

Especially considering the attendance problems the Racers have had over the past few years. They have entertained two big crowds this season: 1,300 on July 5 on a fireworks night and 1,000 for the season's first Saturday game on June 14.

The other 18 home dates have averaged about 250 fans. Racers Vice President Gary Thomas said the season average is about 500.

Arrietta is hoping Tuesday night's event will help to boost the Racers' attendance over their final eight home games from July 29 through Aug. 5.

''The present has to get us to the future,'' Arrietta said. ''I've got to get more people behind us. I've always believed it could be done in Akron.

''This game shows me that it can be — especially when I see all the young kids having a great time.

''They aren't just here tonight to see the Olympic stars, they are here because they have a respect for the game. They'll be back.''

The Racers play at Rockford, Ill., this weekend, then the two teams come back to Akron for a series that begins Tuesday at Firestone Stadium. The Racers conclude their home schedule Aug. 2-5 with four games against the Chicago Bandits. All games will begin at 7:05 p.m. Thomas said there will be promotional events at every game.

 

Bill Lilley can be reached at 330-996-3811 or blilley@thebeaconjournal.com.

Racers General Manager Joey Arrietta finally got to realize her decade-long dream Tuesday night at Firestone Stadium.

Get the full article here.


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