How about a softball Cene Park?

Around the world of sports this week:
It seemed fitting, didn't it, the last busy week of high school spring sports in the Valley was just the like the first one -- delayed by the weather.
Fortunately, the temperature was about 30 degrees warmer, which made the threat of snow virtually impossible, although, around here, you never want to speak too soon.
I made an attempt to catch some of the action Tuesday night at Bob Cene Park, but, as my luck has been going of late, a storm passed through just as I arrived, canceling the remainder of the night's action.
We probably tend to take for granted the fine facility that Bob Cene put together in Struthers, and the tradition carried on by his family and everyone associated with Astro Shapes, Inc. and the Class B League.
The addition of the third field has allowed for some of the younger age groups to play at Cene Park. (And rumor has it that someday, as many as two more fields could be going in.)
Class B's dedication to the area was further exemplified this weekend by the first Coca-Cola Classic, featuring the area's senior baseball all-stars, a doubleheader that was played on Saturday.
Following the tradition of the Mahoning Valley Coaches Association, which has sponsored all-star games in football and basketball for years, it's a positive sign that Class B is recognizing the outstanding senior athletes on the diamond.
Now we need an enterprising group to do the same thing for our area's top senior softball players.
The Akron area has always enjoyed a tremendous reputation for softball on the high school level, and the centerpiece over there is Firestone Stadium, which has played host to every level of the sport, from youth teams to the U.S. Olympic squad.
Granted, there are some outstanding facilities in the Valley -- Boardman's Fields of Dreams, for instance -- but wouldn't it be nice if a community-wide effort could result in our Firestone Stadium?
Send us your stats
We attempted to compile the area's statistical leaders in softball and baseball, as we've done for several years in track and field, with moderate success. We received several more responses from the baseball coaches than we did in softball.
But, overall, I'd consider it a success, so much so that we're going to try it again next spring (and, as a warning to all the football coaches out there, we're going to ask for you to send us your statistics on a weekly basis each Sunday, starting the very first week, so get those fax machines warmed up.)
I would also like to see area leaders in all of the fall and winter sports, so any coaches who would like to help us in those endeavors, feel free to contact me or anyone on the sports staff with your ideas.
Don't debate, litigate
It was amusing to read this week that an ex-college football player, Andy Carroll of the University of Washington, has filed a class-action lawsuit accusing college football teams of exploiting walk-on players by limiting the number of scholarships.
NCAA Division I-A football programs are limited to 85 scholarships.
Carroll walked on to the Washington squad with the belief he would eventually be given an scholarship. Ultimately, he was told no scholarships were available. His attorney, Seattle attorney Steve Berman, claims the NCAA scholarship limit violates antitrust laws.
Carroll's suit seeks an end to the NCAA limit on the number of scholarships awarded by Division I teams and to provide money for walk-ons it claims were harmed by the limit.
Now, I can imagine every college football coach in the country is (privately, anyway) hoping Carroll wins his suit. It would effectively allow them to award an unlimited number of scholarships.
It's more than likely, however, that Carroll's suit will be thrown out by some judge. Lawyers whose specialty is civil liberties (i.e., Title IX) are probably lining up to argue against Carroll's claims.
XRob Todor is sports editor of The Vindicator. Write to him at todor@vindy.com.