Consider it Done

When the Oklahoma sun blazes your saddle, why not multiply the heat tenfold? How-and more importantly why-would you add a furnace to the flaming heat? That's easy.

Play ball. The Drillers fired out to the divisional lead to begin the second half of the Texas League season. In other words, catch them while their hot. Metal bleachers, hot bats and never-say-die attitudes scorched the opposition this past Sunday.

Enough weather related heat wave references? I thought so. I'd be remiss if I didn't give Dexter Fowler his due. The centerfielder is a budding star.

He is batting .330 and hits with power. Drillers general manager Mike Melega forecasted his importance. Speed demon was the exact term used to describe the five-tool player. Yes, he has 15 stolen bases on the resume.

Don't think for a second you'll be able to catch Fowler in a Drillers uniform next year. He'll follow Weezy and move on up.

He blasted a couple of dingers this past Sunday. Big deal? Not exactly, unless you factor in that he hit one from each side of the plate. Yes, a switch hitter with power from both sides of the plate. Watch out.

Props to the team for their July 4th showing. I don't mean the fireworks, although I'm sure they were impressive. The Drillers organization donated a portion of each ticket sold to the flood victims in the Midwestern states.

Also, the stadium busted at the seems with more than 10,000 in attendance on July 3rd. The reason? It was Owasso night and the yearly firework show in Owasso was canceled due to a stadium rebuild. Regardless, good figures and great anticipation by the Drillers to fill the need of a community lusting for its fireworks fix.

Facelift

I guess that about wraps up the Drillers news. Nothing else exciting to report with Tulsa's baseball team is there? A stadium? Really, I almost forgot. Because you were thinking it...

As of this writing, we are still pending a few details but let's face it, the team and the city cannot back out of the deal at this point. There may be a riot if the deal falls apart.

I wondered the same thing this past year. Not when or if the deal would get done. No. I was more curious with how the general talks of said deal might affect the teams' psyche and performance.

Is it possible to devote the time needed for a deal of this magnitude and run a baseball team?

"It has definitely taken some time, mostly for Chuck," said Melega, "that just means putting in extra hours here to stay on top of things. It has not taken away from what we do here at all. We are just both busier than we have been in recent years."

Makes sense. Double your workload and a busier schedule will follow. At least there is a level of job security with the Drillers.

Melega said the team hasn't discussed new uniforms or a new logo "if" they get a new ballpark. I say start discussing. Nothing goes with a new field like a new logo, uniform and mascot. Just kidding Hornsby, we love you.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say Cesar Pelli will not be prominently featured in the stadium design. But what type of design are they perusing? A mini-replica of Drillers Stadium? Ha.

"We have visited many new stadiums in the last year as we do our research," conceded Melega.

There is not one specific stadium they plan to emulate. Instead, they've gathered ideas from different parks across the country. Check out the parks in Springfield, MO, Little Rock, AR and Round Rock, TX for a general idea.

I asked him to personally build me an exact replica with a mix of popsicle sticks and gum. I'm not holding out hope. However, if one of my readers builds a baseball stadium made of sticks and gum, send it to me. We'll submit it to the organization for consideration.

Stat Book

As much fun as we've had guessing, waiting and longing for Drillers Stadium news, it's time to move on. At least in this column.

Do you have a budding soccer star in the family? Well, maybe you just want to ditch the kid for an afternoon with your special someone. I kid.

Adam Mellor, president of the American Indoor Soccer League's Tulsa Revolution, announced the Tulsa Revolution will host a one day soccer camp on July 19.

"This camp will be for young players looking to increase their knowledge of the game. The Revolution players will teach them how to play as a team with skill, responsibility, teamwork, sportsmanship and fun" said Mellor.

Check out www.aisl.org or email Oklahomasoccer@hotmail.com for information.

Finally, I realize I'm the only one in town with this take but I feel dirty about stealing the Seattle Sonics from, well, Seattle.

Oklahoma City grabbed a NBA franchise. A new team name, logo and jersey colors are in order. Don't get me wrong, I'll go to the games. I imagine we'll end up getting a preseason game or two at the BOK Center. Yay!