Bullfrogs Evaluate Problems With Sacramento Venue
Bullfrog General Manager Bob Destocki said Friday he and Coach Brad McCaughey are evaluating what to do about the Bullfrogs’ last two Roller Hockey International games scheduled at Rat Park in Sacramento.
The Bullfrogs refused to skate at the outdoor arena Thursday night because of safety concerns. The game was declared a forfeit in favor of Sacramento.
The Bullfrogs are to play in Sacramento July 17 and Aug. 9.
According to a Bullfrog spokesman, the Sportcourt surface at the River Rats’ new outdoor arena buckled under hot and humid conditions before Thursday’s game. Referees delayed the start of the game 1 hour 15 minutes in hopes the floor would settle in when things cooled off. When that didn’t happen, McCaughey said his team unanimously refused to take the floor.
“We went up there ready to play and the floor wasn’t ready,” Destocki said. “This situation [with Rat Park] is being discussed at all levels of the league. We have to assess the situation and see what to do next.”
This is the second incident regarding the $250,000 rink, which is built on soft dirt in an old rodeo staging arena on the state fairgrounds. Sacramento, owned by Roller Hockey International President Larry King, had to cancel its home opener June 7 with San Jose because the facility was not ready.
“I don’t believe in outdoor skating and if the league is headed in that direction, I’m out of the league,” Bullfrog owner Maury Silver said before Thursday’s forfeit.
McCaughey had said previously he had heard of problems with the outdoor rink.
“The place is a joke,” Sacramento forward Craig Chapman said last week. “Try skating in there with all the moths and bugs flying around and getting in your mouth.”
Sacramento Coach Shaun Clauston said River Rat management had little choice but to take the team outside, rather than play in the city’s Arco Arena.
“Sacramento felt it was headed down the wrong path by playing at the Arco,” Clauston said. “They had to make a decision. They were losing money, and going outdoors was better than having no team at all.”
