Hey, Batter Batter. Swing Batter

Save Fitchburg is worst kind of junkballing Whiffle Ball pitcher. We mix up an OK overhand curve with an absolutely nasty slider that starts at your head and ends up low and away. Then, we throw in an ephus pitch just to get your timing off.

We bring up this mini-scouting report because a new venture got City Council approval to open up out on Ashburnham Road. Part batting cage/part indoor Whiffle Ball field (now you get it), the space is expected to open in January.

The city has, as everyone knows, some surplus mill space. This kind of use is a fantastic idea. It's fairly creative, family friendly, and will lure in the softball geeks who like to shake the rust off before the season starts in the spring. Throw in the opportunity to junkball our through an outing, and we love this idea.

From the story, it appears the crux of the business will be the batting cages. The nearest indoor facility is Worcester, so there should be a good core audience of youth teams and parents lining up for a crack at the new facility in Fitchburg.

Hopefully this business works out and can stand as an example of creative and family-friendly options for the city.

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On a more serious note, Mayor Dan Mylott says it's no wonder Fitchburg schools are flounders, the state Department of Education keeps changing the rules.

"Again they're changing the rules in the middle of the game," Mylott said in the Sentinel. "You can't keep up with all the requirements they've imposed on us."

A bunch of other school districts, however, seem to be keeping up OK. Six microscopes in a classroom isn't the fault of updated school regulations.

It's a still a little unclear what's going to happen next Tuesday, and how it is going to effect the school system. It appears there will be shifting of funding, which should be, um, interesting to watch. The issue of education and school funding is beyond a matter of simple repair at this point, it seems.

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Day-before warning: I'll be part of a panel discussion tomorrow night on "Politically Speaking," 7 p.m. on Channel 8. Expect to hear some about the state rep race, some about the governor's race, and whole lot on the greatness of the Aaron Brooks All-Stars.