As the Atlantic League tests out new rules and regulations for baseball, the York Revolution boasts a blast from the game’s past in left field.
YORK, Pa. — It’s no secret that baseball has its purists, fans who resist change. But in the Atlantic League, there are robot umpires, and in the second half of this season, the pitcher’s rubber will be moved back. Yet at PeoplesBank Park there is something a little more old-fashioned.
“Baseball is one of those sports that people love to see retain some of its roots and some of its traditions,” said York Revolution communications director Doug Eppler.
And it’s also where you can find what Liz Leaman calls her happy place.
“It’s actually the best view in the stadium. I can see every inch of the stadium. I can see everything,” Leaman said.
Leaman, now the manual scoreboard operator, started with the Revs as an usher.
“It was amazing,” recalls Leaman. “Nobody wanted to have a night off.”
Leaman has been with the ballpark since day one in 2007, but who’s keeping the score. In fact, for the past few seasons, it’s been Liz.
“One night I walked in to inaugurate and they said, ‘You’re on the dash tonight,’ and I said, ‘But I’ve never been on the dash alone. That’s when the magic happened. I just started liking him a lot,” Leaman said.
“It was like a fish heading to her permanent pond. She loves it. She’s meticulous there,” Eppler said.
She keeps an eye on the action through the seventh inning hole and a radio, but she’s not alone.
“You walk past and there are fans leaning on the rail, just curious to see how someone keeps that board up to date all the time,” Eppler recalled.
“If it’s before the game and I have plenty of time, I’ll invite them in and have them look through the hole over there and see what a great view it is from here,” Eppler added.
And the conversations continue on the other side of baseball’s highest wall.
“Melky Mesa and Welington Dotel were the first two left fielders I started talking to and now we’re all really good friends,” Leaman said with a smile. “We are going out to eat.”
With the flick of a switch, balls, strikes and outs are added or deleted. Some number panels take on a bit more muscle than others after years of pinging with baseballs.
“The lower the numbers, the more messed up they get. There’s a whole bunch of plain panels out there that we don’t even try to put them in anymore,” Leaman said.
But a little extra elbow grease can’t wipe the smile off Liz’s face, win or lose, although she strongly prefers wins.
“It’s just that perfect combination of an outstanding personality from our region and his passion for our sport,” Eppler added.
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