STANDING ROOM ONLY: Bower Field is perfect getaway

If you happen to find yourself with some free time in the next few weeks, then here's a little suggestion. Take a walk -- okay, a long walk -- down to Bower Field to see the Penn baseball team play. But before you decide to take me up on this one, there are some things I should tell you. After all, I'd hate to be accused of trying to hoodwink any members of this fine Ivy League institution. In an effort to avoid unwarranted expectations, then, let's set the ground rules right away. First, take Bower Field. It's a great place to watch baseball, but don't expect it to awe and inspire you like Franklin Field and the Palestra do. To be perfectly honest, it looks like any other baseball field with natural grass. Oh, and bring a jacket with you -- it gets pretty chilly down there when the wind kicks in. As for the field dimensions, don't show up hoping to see an abundance of home runs sailing over the outfield wall. The Quakers are not especially loaded with power this year, and Bower is most definitely a pitcher's park. Second, don't expect any of the traditions, antics and gimmicks that permeate Penn football and basketball games. People don't throw toast in the fifth inning, and they don't break into a chorus of "Hang Jeff Davis" when a Quaker crosses the plate. There won't be any giveaways. If you're the type who only visits the Palestra for the occasional free T-shirt and mini-basketball, then don't bother showing up at Bower Field for a baseball game. You'll only be disappointed. What you can expect is a baseball game. Nothing more, nothing less. Third, there won't be many can't-miss opportunities for taunting and jeering Penn's opponents. Unless you're a silly freshman, you'll recall chanting 59 yards at Keith Elias. (If only Keith himself could count to 59 -- but I digress.) And we all know how much fun it was telling Rick Hielscher he sucked. At Bower, there won't be such easy targets. The other team won't have an identity -- the players will seem like a nameless collection of faces and numbers. Hey, life's not always fair. By now you're probably thinking: If all of this is lacking, why the hell should I go down to Bower Field for a game? The answer is simple. It's not just a game, it's the game. It's baseball. Let's face it, baseball is tops. Always has been, always will be. Some say the disgrace of the strike will change this. I've been as disgusted as anyone, but I disagree with such pessimism. It may take some time, but baseball will rebound -- because it is the essence of sport. On a nice day, nothing beats a few innings in the sun. You don't have to be a fan to appreciate it. Just come out and relax on the bleachers. You don't have to keep score, and you don't even have to catch every play. Leave that to my editors -- they love this stuff. There are more than enough chances to lie out on College Green. As any of my friends can tell you, I know this from experience. But there are only so many home games in a season. Besides, the Quakers field a pretty good team, and the bet here is they repeat as Gehrig Division champs and go on to win the Ivy League championship. Are they a national powerhouse? Not by any standard. But there's definitely some talent to see. Penn's pitching staff, led by senior aces Dan Galles and Ed Haughey, could be the best in the Ivies. Junior first baseman/hurler Mike Shannon has been fantastic this year and is expected to get drafted this summer. Football quarterback Mark DeRosa has added run production from the shortstop position. The point is, Penn's got a good team. A team worth watching. So if you get a chance this spring, get down to Bower Field for at least one game. Because it's baseball. Penn baseball. And that should be reason enough. Lee Goldsmith is a College junior from Huntingdon Valley and a sports writer for The Daily Pennsylvanian. He is also Dick Vitale's 'guy.' Standing Room Only appears alternate Thursdays.

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