Islanders Field Vaults To Head of NorCal Baseball

Islanders Field in Lathrop not only offers top-flight amateur baseball but the new ballpark shines on other levels too.

The stadium, christened on May 21 as a shining diamond in the River Islands community, offers a first-class environment for participants with a beautiful scoreboard, full concession stand and a smooth infield surface courtesy of the crack field crew.

On game days, in addition to the college scouts often in the stands there are team introductions and the playing of the Star Spangle Banner. It's like a slice of baseball heaven.

“We’re giving them a good experience,” Field Director Don Johns says of the game-day vibe. “Parents and coaches always tell me everything we’ve done there has enhanced the experience of amateur baseball.”

Moreover, Islanders Field becomes more eye-catching with each passing day. New batting cages are in the works and the levy behind the home run fence has now been landscaped with bark and trees and shrubs.

“It’s a wonderful venue,” says Eric White, who teams with Ed Blake to handle the announcing duties at Islanders Field. “The field is in absolutely great shape. I’ve had nothing but compliments from the players that have come there for the first time; their eyes just go wide open and they go, “Wow! Great field.’ And it is a beautiful field.”

THE BIG EVENTS KEEP COMING

Islanders Field will be hosting the NorCal World Series Underclass Event on Aug. 17-18, featuring the top 80 players in Northern California for evaluations and competition. The bustling venue hosted six tournaments in July, including the Star Spangle Banner event; a new Elite California Baseball League (top 100 players) which was a big hit; and a Northern California Travel Ball Underclass event midweek.

Islanders Field also hosted a Central Valley Super Regional tournament on July 27-28, as well as the Bay Area World Series, NorCal World Series and Elite World Series.

WELCOME THE SEALS

In more big news, the San Francisco Seals had a training session at Islanders Field. The Seals, a collegiate team founded in 1985, have returned from their final series in Alaska as they prepare for the National Baseball Championship in Wichita, Kansas.

“We are evaluating if Islanders Field is a fit to be considered for their home field in 2020,” Johns says of the Seals.

Johns, longtime President and Manager of the Danville HOOTs, is thrilled with the response to Islanders Field from the baseball world. Clubs are saving their biggest games for the site.

“These programs are running their championships at Islanders Field,” Johns said. “They’re putting the best teams in the final days of the tournament at our field because it has been the best experience for the fans, the parents, the college coaches and the players. That’s different, that’s really different.”

Johns added that the “more elite stuff you do, the more the stadium becomes a place where scouts know the good teams will be, and those teams have good players.”

VOICES OF ISLANDERS FIELD

Eric White and Ed Blake, both big sports guys, have a tremendous rapport while sharing the duties in the announcer’s booth.

“They do a great job. They’ve got a great voice. It’s pretty cool,” Johns says.

White and Blake know the game well and it shows in their deliveries.

“It’s a lot of fun,” says Blake, a semi-retired pastor who has lived in the River Islands community for a year. “It’s great energy. We get regular comments on how we handle things professionally, but in a fun way. They looove the music. I don’t care what Eric says, my play list is absolutely the best. Even Don likes my music the best. I think that says it all … From the Beatles to Leo Sayer to One Direction and Sha Na Na, Motown, I’ve got it all.”

Since he only lives a mile away from the field, Blake says his wife can hear the music sometimes. Blake coached boys and girls’ basketball at San Ramon Valley High School in Danville for about 31 years. He’s currently the head coach at Delta Charter High in Tracy.

White’s son, Josh, starred as a right-handed pitcher at Monte Vista High and is now playing at Cal

WHAT A CREW

Wednesday, July 31, marked the final day for two outstanding field crew at Islanders Field. Johns sends a big “thank you” to Nick Cirelli and Elias Muro for being the Field Maintenance Team since the Grand Opening in May. Nick is returning to Sacramento City College where he is playing baseball. Elias is off to college on a soccer scholarship.

“With the assistance of Manuel and Nestor Cazares, these two young men have done an outstanding job all summer maintaining the field and preparing it between games,” Johns says. “We will be giving the field a much-needed rest for one week as we replace Nick and Elias, do some repair work and prepare for the Fall Programs starting August 9