When you walk into Newman Park, whether it's for the first time or the thousandth, you get the sense that this is one special place. You can't exactly explain why, well maybe you can if this is your thousandth time, but even if it's your first time, you sense it.
Newman Park is an icon to many baseball players, coaches and fans. It has a certain mystique and atmosphere that cannot be matched. Some other ballparks may come close, but Newman owns the number one spot.
Rowan County is a baseball hotbed, always has been and always will be. There is a lot of talented baseball players in Rowan and even some that have made it to the major leagues.
When those players who are lucky enough to play for Rowan slip on that red uniform, something happens that is almost magical. They become almost like local celebrities. They may not feel that way, but where else can you see little kids asking for autographs from their favorite players?
I've heard many people, who have been coming to legion games their whole life say that when they were little, they thought they were at a professional game.
How is that? Don't we know that we are just watching a bunch of high school kids and maybe a few college players? Why does it feel that way?
I'll tell you why it doesn't feel that way, it's because what Rowan legion has built is the model or ideal legion program, not just in the state of North Carolina, but the United States as well. Rowan has it all: loyal fans, a beautiful home ballpark, enormous half 'n half drawings, great newspaper coverage, two radio stations (yes two), chartered buses for road trips and then of course Cheerwine slushies and fresh roasted peanuts!
Every little leaguer grows up dreaming of playing in that environment and putting on that Rowan uniform, and is there any wonder why?
Many great players have doned the Rowan uniform over the years such as Cal Hayes Jr., Buck Hamrick, Bobby Parnell, Justin Roland, Aaron Rimer, and I could go on and on. I know I am missing some of the program's players from the past, but you would be reading this all day.
Bottom line is, there is nothing like Rowan County American Legion baseball, and the only thing that will come close to it, is Rowan County American Legion baseball.
Let's play ball.
