The Popcorn Stand; Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened

I have to admit I’m an old fuddy duddy when it comes to Porterville. I know progress is inevitable and I keep saying it, I love Porterville.

The South County Justice Center, for example, I know was something that was definitely needed here in Porterville. And I have to admit when we’re able to cover some of the major trials involving this area and they’re all now held at the South County Justice Center I’m not so nostalgic. But I do miss the Porterville Municipal Ballpark and not only because Porterville really needs some kind of lighted ballpark to replace it. Porterville Municipal Ballpark was the home to a minor league baseball team in the early 1950s and numerous major youth baseball tournaments, including on the regional level.

I spent much of my youth playing baseball at Porterville Municipal Ballpark and even umpired games there. During one of my other tours of duty at the Recorder, I wrote one of my claims to fame is I umpired a game at Porterville Municipal Ballpark with Brant Brown, who went on to play in the Major Leagues and is now a hitting instructor with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

I have fond memories of the place. So every time I look at the South County Justice Center, I have to admit I think of Porterville Municipal Ballpark.

And the Porterville Fairgrounds which was adjacent to the ballpark. Actually the ballpark was part of the fairgrounds. The exhibition hall was the left field home run fence.

But I must admit when I attended the fair at the old Porterville Fairgrounds site, I noticed things were getting pretty crowded there and a move to the current location was inevitable.

I drove by Jamison Stadium the other day and every time I drive by the stadium I become sad looking at a stadium that’s just a shell of what it once was.

Again, I have fond memories of the place, spent plenty of time there as a youth football player, as a youth football coach and as a reporter.

What’s sad is Jamison Stadium is an historic place. Olympic gold medalist Jackie Joyner-kersee competed there.

Before she was Caitlyn Jenner, before he was Bruce Jenner the buffoon on The Kardashians, he was Bruce Jenner the most recognized man in the world. There was a time when the athlete who won the Olympic decathlon became the most recognized man in the world.

And that was Bruce Jenner in 1976. And on his way to that gold medal he competed in Porterville. At Jamison Stadium.

Back then, athletes had to compete in regional qualifying events to qualify for the Olympic Trials and one of the regional qualifying events for the decathlon was held here in Porterville. At Jamison Stadium. And Jenner competed. Bruce Jenner.

But then again I have to remember what Dr. Seuss said: “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”

Jamison Stadium, the Porterville Municipal Ballpark and the old Porterville Fairgrounds gave me lots of memories to smile about. I should be thankful for that. I should thank Porterville for that.