The term "thinking outside the box" has fallen out of favor in recent years, it might be applied to the latest idea suggested for the Pullman Park-West End Revitalization project. Instead of spending $13 million to move a few business from around the ballpark - move the ball park.

In addition to saving millions of dollars by not moving major businesses, the relocated park would serve as a visually dramatic and impressive welcome sign to motorists entering Butler from the south.

If situation on the southern portion of what is now Trinity Industries property, the baseball park would be seen by every person driving north on Route 8 into Butler. For northbound drivers heading over the Picklegate Crossing bridge, the view of the park would be exceptional.

Even in that location the baseball field would be still on former Pullman Standard property, so the link to the facility's historic past could be preserved. This view can help erase any initial misgivings people might have concerning moving such a historic ball field.

Other accomodations for that concern could be made, including removal and re-erection of the unique light stanchions at the new park location along with portions of the old ball park, which could become the centerpiece of a museum telling tales of the ballfield's heyday in the 1930s and 40s.

An important part of any company or product's success can be traced to marketing and visibility. What could be a more effective marketing plan for Pullman Park than to be seen by thousands of people every day? In its current location, the ballfield is barely visible.

The new location would seem to offer the potential for ample parking in areas under the concrete overpass, an area that is otherwise unusable - at least for commercial development or building.

This new approach to the renovation of Pullman Park, which is seen as the key element in a broader redevelopment project for Butler's West End area, deserves further discussion by officials from the city and the Community Development Corporation of Butler County, as well as by the general public.

Further discussion might bring to light more advantages to moving the ballfield, or might introduce some obstacles to the project also. Regardless, the idea deserves further discussion.

One potential problem might be time. Finding a minor league baseball team to call Pullman Park home will probably be easier if the field is done sooner rather than later.

While the CDC recently acquired the option on the former Trinity Industries property, it is not clear what the timetable is to take possession of the property through either direct sale or by eminent domain. Another obstacle in terms of time might arise out of any remediation that had to be done to remove or neutralize hazardous material that might be found on the site.

Still, even with all the potential obstacles, the idea of moving the baseball park deserves a full exploration because of the many obvious benefits - elimination of $13 million cost to move two companies and, perhaps more importantly, the dramatic visual impact produced by situating a new baseball park at the southern entrance to Butler.

Mayor Leonard Pintell suggests that further discussion of this idea should be delayed. City Councilman Jim Kraus, however, believes this alternative plan should be discussed now. While there is no certainty of the ultimate viability of relocating the ball park, Kraus is correct to urge further debate now of this intriguing idea.

- J.L.W.III