Dodger Stadium has nothing on Pershing Park when it comes to scenic backdrops. Instead of the distant San Gabriel Mountains, spectators at the ballpark near the Santa Barbara waterfront enjoy a high-definition view of the Santa Ynez range looming over the Riviera. There are palm trees, of course, but L.A. has nothing like the Moreton Bay fig tree that stands majestically behind first base; it is a sibling of the giant tree near the train station.
The inauguration of Pershing Park as the home field of the Santa Barbara Foresters occurred last Friday evening. The festivities began with the parading of six National Baseball Congress World Series trophies to home plate. Among the escorts were Dylan Axelrod, a pitcher on the first Santa Barbara team to win the national championship in 2006; Vaughn Wipf and Bill Oakley, players on the original Foresters teams of the 1950s; and Bob Abramson, a loyal fan known as the “Rip-It Dude” for his exhortations from the stands.
Kailey Wipf, 14-year-old granddaughter of Vaughn, sang the national anthem; Mayor Helene Schneider tossed the ceremonial first pitch (in bowling, it would have been a strike); and at 6 p.m., it was time to play ball.
