TD Bank Park – Central Jersey Sports Radio

It could have been worse.

A water main break outside TD Bank Park – home of the Somerset Patriots, the New York Yankees’ AA affiliate – has been repaired, and it’s all systems go for Friday’s Somerset County Tournament final between top-seed Bridgewater-Raritan and third-seed Ridge.

Tournament officials learned of the break Monday morning, with the semifinals scheduled there for 1 and 4 pm. Immaculata Athletic Director Tom Gambino, who runs the event, was able to get both games moved to Diamond Nation in Flemington without a hitch. Everyone showed up on time – players, coaches, umpires – and no one would have known the difference.

Somerset Patriots VP of Operations Brian Iwicki confirmed Tuesday afternoon the main had been fixed, and North Brunswick even played Rutgers Prep at the ballpark Tuesday evening. It was a good one, too, as the Raiders rallied with four runs in the bottom of the seventh, but the Argonauts held on for a 7-6 victory.

Iwicki says the break happened not inside TD Bank Park, but under the sidewalk just outside the team store, located on the first base side of the main entrance to the ballpark. Iwicki says crews were out as soon as they could get there, and everything was patched up in time for Tuesday evening’s high school game.

The title game was originally schedule for Thursday, but with two public schools in the final – and the state tournament set to begin Thursday for public schools – the SCT final was moved to its Friday rain date. And it could have been moved there anyway, with thunderstorms, gusty winds, and even hail possible late Thursday afternoon.

Some teams have already moved their playoff games to Thursday, including Ridge and their first round game against JP Stevens. But Bridgewater-Raritan still plans to play its game against Union on Thursday at 4 pm.

Head coach Max Newill says if they can’t get that state game in Thursday, it would most likely be moved to Saturday. The second round for public schools isn’t until Wednesday next week.

It’s not rain, but water is causing an issue for the Somerset County Tournament.

Monday’s baseball semifinals were scheduled to be held at TD Bank Park in Bridgewater, home of the Somerset Patriots. But a water main break will force those games to be played elsewhwere.

Tom Gambino, the Immaculata Athletic Director, who runs the baseball tournament, says both games of the doubleheader now will be held at Diamond Nation in Flemington, at the same time as originally scheduled.

That means Immaculata and Ridge will stay at 1 pm while Bridgewater-Raritan versus Watchung Hills will be played at 4 pm. Central Jersey Sports Radio will have live coverage starting at 12:45 with the pregame show. Click here to listen as Mike Pavlichko, Dom Savino and Vin Ebeneau call all the action.

Both games will be played on Field One, nearest the main entrance to the Diamond Nation complex.

Somerset Patriots Vice Preisdent of Operations Brian Iwicki tells Central Jersey Sports Radio the break is outside the ballpark, on the main headed into the stadium. He says a crew is working on the break, and they expect the stadium will be open by Tuesday.

That means Thursday’s SCT final shouldn’t be affected, although the championship game likely will get moved to Friday since Thursday is the first day of the NJSIAA state tournament for public schools, and at least one public school – Bridgewater or Watchung Hills – is guaranteed to make the final, and unlikely to receive a first round bye.