A rose to the resurgent Mississippi State baseball program, whose bid to be one of the 16 sites for NCAA regionals is likely to go right down to the wire. Since winning its first College World Series title in 2021, the Bulldogs’ fortunes had taken a tumble during the past two seasons, missing the NCAA playoffs entirely. The 2024 season is already a remarkable turn-around from the bottom of the Southeastern Conference to the fifth best regular season record. Wins over Ole Miss and Texas A&M in this week’s SEC Tournament have further strengthened the Bulldogs’ resume and there is a real chance those efforts will be rewarded by hosting a regional next week. Dudy Noble Field, a college baseball showcase, has proven to be a lucrative and successful site. A regional would also be a big shot to the local economy. In years past, regionals at MSU have attracted 30,000 to 40,000 fans over a three-day period. Let’s hold our breath as we await the announcement of the regional sites on Monday.
A rose to the city of Columbus as Phase 1 work on a $4.4-million parks renovation project focused on Propst Park continues. Work on baseball fields that are being converted from grass to turf is near completion. The city is using $1.4 million from tourism sales tax revenue earmarked for parks and borrowed $3 million in bonds to cover the rest. The work dramatically enhances the aesthetics of the park — new buildings, fences and the fields provide a splash of color and a fresh look. It is a boost to the spirits for those who have watched the historic city park fall on lean times over the past 20 years. Residents will ultimately determine the wisdom and success of this project, but for now the attention the park is getting is a welcomed sight.
A rose to the city of Starkville, which approved a contract to make long-overdue improvements on Old Mayhew Road. Phillips Contracting was awarded the bid for a $2 million project that will completely restore the stretch of road between Highway 182 and Lee Blvd., the easternmost access point from the highway to the Mississippi State campus. The road, which is part of the city’s most recent annexation, has suffered from years of neglect. The project will be a full-depth reclamation, meaning the surface and underlying base of the road will be pulverized and graded to serve as a new base before it is repaved. Phillips Contracting will also be making drainage improvements. The effort to restore the road is a sign that the city will honor its commitment to those who live along the road in this annexed area. It will also greatly enhance a major entrance to the university, thus benefiting residents and MSU students, faculty and staff who use that pathway to the university. It is money wisely spent.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
