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Local Sports

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Game site stirs controversy
By Ted Radick

Staff writer

Make no mistake, the Patrick Henry Patriots would play in a cow pasture if it came right down to it.

That said, the selection of Fred Brown Stadium in Defiance for Friday's Division V, Region 18 final caused quite a few raised eyebrows.

The cause: The stadium has a grass field. The Patrick Henry-Tinora matchup will be the only regional final in the state played on grass; that encompasses all divisions.

“These games should be on turf, and you can quote me on that,” Patrick Henry coach Bill Inselmann said.

There were brief rain showers in the area Monday and more rain forecast today and Thursday. Friday's forecast calls for partly cloudy skies.

“ I can't believe with the number of games and the amount of rain we've had this fall that there's too many grass fields in good shape,” Inselmann said.

“We were really honest today that we don't care,” Tinora coach Kenny Krouse said Monday. “If we play in mud, we play in mud. If we play on turf, we play on turf. Our kids just want to play.”

Another factor: The Defiance field has limited seating on the visitor's side. Patrick Henry is the home team, but the Tinora fans may be forced to take over a section of seating on the home side of the field.

Bowling Green State University has a college game scheduled Friday at Doyt Perry Stadium, but two artificial surface options will set empty Friday night: Findlay's Donnell Stadium and the field at Toledo Central Catholic.

Patrick Henry Athletic Director Bryan Hieber tried throughout the day Monday, without success, to get the game site moved. Hieber, though, downplayed any effect of field conditions.

“We did not file a formal protest (with the Ohio High School Athletic Association),” he said Monday. “I wouldn't know how even if we wanted to.

“We'll play on (Interstate) 75 if we have to.”

Inselmann was still disappointed.

“At this level, all the games should be on turf,” he said.

Radick, 419-427-8405

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5 Comments

Latest comments listed first.
gunga din wrote:
Game Site Stirs Controversy
“ Hey Bill, ,

This decision should be equitable, not a thinly disguised attempt to possibly influence the outcome.... ”
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 5:22:44 PM
Really wrote:
Surface aside
“ First off I'm not a PH fan and I don't think anybody is crying here. I am a football fan that believes the best team should win. And, as a fan, I want to see the athletes perform at the peak of their ability. If there are other influencing factors which may prevent that, am I getting my moneys worth. I am, as a fan, paying the OHSAA to provide an appropriate venue. I was at the the game several years ago and was extremely disappointed with the field conditions, did not see the athletes perform at their peak, and felt that I did not get my moneys worth regardless of who won. This is up to OHSAA to not repeat mistakes of the past.
Again, this is the OHSAA that says they want all games at this level to be played on turf and at a neutral site; so why the exception this time?

So Bill, surface aside, If Findlay was in the playoffs as a lower ranked team. You think it would be OK for a higher ranked Toledo school to have to come down to Donnell stadium to play them on their "home field". That doesn't seem neutral either. Defiance is basically a home field for Tinora.
I suppose the Toledo school, if they said something, would just be crying about it. Right? ”
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 12:47:14 PM
bill edwards wrote:
game stirs controversy
“ ph is still crying about lima bath when they lost to st henry a couple of years back both teams have to play on same field get over it...and by the way go Pats ”
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 12:03:06 PM
Really wrote:
LET THEM PLAY (on a fair surface)
“ This game, unlike a game several years ago, the surface shouldn't be an unfair advantage. Remember when PH had a team built for speed and they had to play at a muddy torn-up Lima Bath field against St. Henry (a big running team). The conditions neutralized the speed advantage and PH lost. I'm sure PH has not forgotten about that. As a fan of football I personally don't want to see a "mud bowl". What is best for the fans, players, and the great game of football? I think that if the site isn't changed to a fieldturf facility that the OHSAA dropped the ball on this one. They (OHSAA) say they want all games at this level to be played on a fair surface which doesn't favor a team or style but then they pull this kind of stuff. I makes you wonder if they have a secret agenda. It's not like there aren't places they can play instead now that more fields have fieldturf.
Regardless, I think PH will win because this team shouldn't be affected by the surface as much as previous teams and has also beaten better competition this year. Win this next one and you will definitely be playing at a "neutral" site. ”
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 11:57:21 AM
gunga din wrote:
Game site stirs controversy
“ Whoa! Is this fair?

1. Patrick Henry has a better record; thus deserves to be the 'home team' in fact, not just in essence. So scheduling a GRASS field, containing limited visitor seating, diluting the effect of strong fan support in the very environs of the lesser ranked team - Fred Brown Stadium - does seem a bit manipulative. What happened to a 'neutral' location?

2. Two fields with artificial turf - Donnell and Toledo Central Catholic - will not be in use on Friday night, negating the need to be 'mudders' for either team, yet the powers that be refuse to change the game location. Why? Inselmann, in an attempt to show good sportsmanship, hasn't (yet) appealed to the Ohio High School Athletic Assn.

Please don't tell me that attempts to influence the outcome of a high school game have reached a new low; that it is now 'P. C' to 'give the underdog the perceived advantage in order either to make the odds more even by location intimidation, or by squishing the fans together so vocal and visual encouragement would no longer sound united.

Save us from the fate of being influenced by the U.S. congress when one party is in the majority, drowning out opposing voices! ”
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 11:27:23 AM

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