Aberdeen Takes 'Going Green' to a New Level

ABERDEEN - The Aberdeen IronBirds players and personnel arrived on-time and ready to go on Friday July 31st before their scheduled game against the Hudson Valley Renegades. But Mother Nature had other plans for Aberdeen on this night.

In Aberdeen it rained steady with howling wind blowing the rain side to side, while the grounds crew rushed to cover the field with the tarp. The swirling, whipping wind continued uninterrupted for an hour, until approximately 5:00 pm and then abruptly stopped.

The power outage, however, continued long into the night forcing staff to walk around while using a bullhorn to inform to the many groups of fans patiently waiting for the game to begin about what was going on and when the game may start.

Three giant generators were rented in the early evening in an attempt to power the lights, and of major concern, the restrooms. Ripken Stadium has automatic flush toilets, which cannot function without electricity.

The game itself, originally scheduled for 7:05 pm EST was pushed back throughout the evening until finally around 8:40 pm EST the lights flickered. Slowly at first, then the lights jumped to full power as the fans remaining at the stadium rose and cheered at the sight of light.

With lights the game could be played but with a touch of creativity. The scoreboard in left field remained dark and Aberdeen's front office and gameday staffers came up with an idea. The scoreboard was drawn on a giant whiteboard and updated throughout the contest. The crew manually held up signs showing the balls, strikes and outs, each person wearing a t-shirt with a B, S, and O on it so the fans knew what each number they held stood for.

Power from the generators was only afforded to the lights and the bathrooms for Ripken Stadium, the press box functioned at a very limited level. A small generator powered the public address microphone, visiting radio, and a flood light.

Throughout all the hiccups of the evening the IronBirds went on to win the game 4-1 as Nick Haughian went 6 innings, giving up 1 run, on 3 hits, 2 walks, and 8 K's.

By Saturday morning only about 4,000 remained without power and fortunately Ripken Stadium was not one of them.

The Aberdeen IronBirds take on the Hudson Valley Renegades tonight at Ripken Stadium, first pitch at 7:05 pm EST. Throwing for the 'Birds is the righty Colin Allen taking on the righty Devin Fuller for the 'Gades.

--IRONBIRDS--