The word facility comes from the Latin word “facilis,” which essentially means the word “easy.”
The noun has several definitions ranging from “space or equipment necessary for doing something” to “an establishment set up to fulfill a particular function or provide a particular service.”
There’s one lesson the sports editor has learned throughout the Conference 3A Region 2 playoffs this spring.
And that lesson is based on perception. A school district is viewed as good simply based on its facilities.
During the opening week of the playoffs, Bowie played at Argyle.
Argyle’s baseball field was superior with a high wall in left field, and the largest net I’ve ever seen to protect the fans from foul balls.
Bowie advanced to play games at several other school districts during its playoff run, Glen Rose, Eaton and Kennedale.
Glen Rose has a turf field, which features a patch of red by the dugouts and in foul territory. However, there was no warning track.
Why couldn’t there be a warning track? Glen Rose could have painted it red, too. I wouldn’t mind.
The mere fact there was no track is a safety issue in my mind, and it ultimately played a role in Bowie defeating Palmer in the area round of the playoffs.
During the regional quarterfinals, Bowie played at one of the newest high schools in the state: Eaton in Haslet.
This facility was exemplary, except for the fact field dimensions weren’t listed on the outfield wall. This was the safest of all the ballparks I visited. Read more of this column in the June 4 Bowie News.

Editor’s Note: The Storm Center column is the expressed written views of sports editor Eric Viccaro and not The Bowie News.

The Bowie High School baseball team gathers in the distance during the opening round of the Conference 3A Region 2 playoffs at Argyle. The facility at Argyle had a high wall in left and center field, reminiscent of the one seen here in Bowie. (News photo by Eric Viccaro)