Get Out of my Dreams, Into my Yard - Frenchtown

		Your Junk my Happy Zone
		by Brandon Corbett

• Frenchtown Field - Frenchtown, MI

We're back traveling around the fields of WSEM! Today we find ourselves in Frenchtown, MI to take a look at the aptly named Frenchtown Field. Located on the southeast corner of Chad Hoppe's yard, Frenchtown Field is the only WSEM field constructed on private property, giving it some obvious advantages over the rest of the field (pun intended). Chad's yard was also responsible for the field's original name, Hoppe's Field, but that was changed to Frenchtown Field by Week 2. Subsequently, change, or more accurately "evolution," has been a key ingredient to what makes Frenchtown Field the stalwart workhorse it has been for WSEM.

Seemingly every week Chad has found ways to tweak the field and continually make improvements, both small and large. During the Spring events and into Week 1 a single level of orange snow fencing stretched from left-center through right field in front of the woods, with doubled up snow fencing along the split-rail fence in left. Almost immediately Chad doubled up the snow fencing to accomplish two things: make home runs tougher, and prevent people from breaking the fence with over-aggressive rob attempts. Doubling up the fence to between six and eight feet also makes the field look regal, permanent, official, and all around awesome. A neat, very unique feature of the Frenchtown Field fence is the "camera well" in the left center power alley. To my knowledge a ball has not escaped through this gap yet, but it definitely presents a target for right-handed swingers. Plus, it makes for a sweet place to watch the action!


A second somewhat divisive, completely unique addition to Frenchtown Field also comes out of the need to keep the field in good condition. Of course, I am talking about the actual pitchers' mound! With holes constantly being dug delivery afeter delivery and subsequently having to be filled in again and again Chad and his brothers decided to stay out in front of the problem. They wheelbarrow over dirt from the plentiful surrounding farmland to fill in the batters' boxes and more impressively sculpt an eight-inch pitchers' mound to limit the negative effects of divots left behind. Some pitchers love the effects of pitching off the mound, specifically those whose repertoire includes a riser. Others hate throwing off the bump after being unable to adjust their pitching style accordingly. Either way it makes itself known and Frenchtown memorable to all the WSEM pitchers, which is good for clout and a lasting place in league lore.

One of the other most obvious modifications to the field is the strike zone. Original slated to receive one of the metal staked boards, Chad went with a much more permanent idea before the Spring Tournament. The unique, immovable feature captures Chad and the DeLoppes' "never go away" attitude toward wiffleball and serves as a microcosm for Frenchtown's stalwart service to WSEM.


Being readily available for games via Chad's generosity, Frenchtown has been a workhorse handling the bulk of WSEM games early in the season. While other fields have to wait for schools to let out for summer or deal with other events on public property, Frenchtown is perched ready and waiting only for us. Being on private property has plenty of other benefits, too. Plenty of seating and options for shade, spur of the moment solutions, a relaxed atmosphere, the freedom to make an ass of yourself... None, however, above simply having the ability to try new things and make the continued improvements that Chad has done.

Frenchtown Field is positioned to play very well. Center field is WSW of home plate and additionally the treeline behind center and right field blocks most wind. Any wind that does come usually is then from the south: in from left field, resulting in good pitching conditions and little help to home runs. Ground balls play very fast, and the choppy "grass" can make for tricky hops. So, there are many opportunities to leg out base hits. The quick, uneven turf has created the "Frenchtown Special:" a frequent phenomenon of foul balls rolling back fair or little dribblers just sneaking across the dead ball line, also known as "walking the dog." Frenchtown keeps fielders on their toes at all times.


In the same way the continual improvements keep the rest of the league on their toes with their own fields. Whether it be with better construction materials, like an improved new backstop [1st (tarp), 2nd (snow fence), 3rd (less obstructive wire fence)], or as simple as better, brighter line painting, including the aesthetic touch of a 'WD' in front of home plate, Frenchtown Field pushes all the other fields in WSEM to be better. Some may gripe under their breath about "Frenchtown Specials" and how the ground physically plays at Frenchtown, but it cannot be denied that the field's creation and upkeep has made for better game play around the league.