THE PRICE IS RIGHT

There have been two constants for the Rawhide so far this season; winning and the Price family.

By Megan Poindexter
VSP Senior Writer-

VISALIA-John and Norma Price have been married for 54 years and one thing that has never changed in their relationship is their love and passion for not only each other, but for baseball.

The two hold the title for the biggest Visalia Rawhide fans, earning ‘Fans of the Year’ honors for the commitment to the team last season. As a result, they received a three day trip paid for by the franchise to watch the Arizona Diamondbacks at spring training.

For the last 16 years they have come to nearly every home baseball game to keep score.

And guess what?

They keep score just for fun, not to get paid big bucks but just out of pure love for America’s national pastime.

“We’ve been sports fans all our lives,” said Norma. “It’s just amazing to see what has been done here after all these years.”

Both have become even more dedicated fans since their retirements, and their loyalty has, and will forever remain with the Diamondbacks Single ‘A’ team in Visalia. For over 11 years, the Prices’ have housed the team’s players and families and have since continued to follow their careers.

“Shawn Green is the last guy we had stay at our home,” said John, who taught at Redwood High School for 38 years before retiring. “It’s been really neat watching his career.”

For almost his entire tenure at Redwood John coached the J.V. baseball team, while Norma, who worked the Tulare County Office of Education for 19 years, was the scorekeeper.

Baseball has served as a common ground for these Visalia residents, and is finally growing thanks to the recent renovations to Recreation Ballpark. The 63-year-old park now seats 1,800 people, but on opening day it was forced to standing room only with over 2,600 in attendance.

“This has been a long time coming and I didn’t think it was ever going to happen,” said John. “But it is a great thing for the city of Visalia.”

Sunday afternoon the trend continued as the stadium wasn’t sold out, but definitely had more than the average of 300 people for a day game.

In addition to new stadium seating there is plenty of grass area with picnic tables and newly remodeled restrooms and ticket offices. Players now have a 3,500 square foot clubhouse alongside new grass throughout the entire field. But possibly the best renovation is the addition of a new concessions stands and a souvenir store on located on the right side of the stadium.

And while the stadium means a great deal to local baseball fans, it has the potential to uplift a city looking to update its’ image.

“With the new renovations to the ballpark this has to be the number one spot to be on game day,” said Norma.

She couldn’t have said it better.

THIS AND THAT: The Rawhide improved to 11-1 this season with a 9-7 win over the Bakersfield Blaze. Sean Coughlin hit a two-run homer and scored twice. Reliever Tom Layne got the win and Jeff Dietz recorded his fourth save of the season. Dietz has yet to allow a run. Visalia hosts the Blaze for two more games; tonight at 7:05 and Wednesday at 1:05. After Wednesday, they will not play at home until May 1.

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