Going, going, gone: Cardinals' move saddens fans, businesses

AUGUSTA-The New Jersey Cardinal’s flight from Frankford to State College, Pa, could be leaving some seats empty at the Yetter’s Diner, across from Skylands Park. “We don’t like it that they are leaving,” said Roula Hatzinas who helps run the diner. “We hope they bring another team here.” The Cardinals drew fewer people in 2005 than ever before in their 12-year history when 115,129 fans walked through the turnstiles, down from a peak of 176,788 during their second season in 1995. But despite those dwindling numbers the diner had no problem pulling them in before and after games. “It was very crowded for dinner here,” said Hatzinas, of her pre-game patrons. And after the game, she said they came for dessert and coffee. “(The team) has been here for so many years now,” she said. “It’s sad to see them go.” Herm Sorcher, the team’s assistant general manager, said the owners simply decided to sell the team n and did not blame the move on area fans. “The bottom line is,” said Sorcher, “that the owners got an offer they liked n and they took it.” When the team moves to State College, it will occupy a new 6,000-seat stadium. Skylands Park has a seating capacity of 4,358 and was built to bring the Cardinals to the county. “I feel bad for a lot of people in the area. (The season) was always a part of some peoples’ summer,” said Sorcher, who started out doing promotions and media relations for the team before being promoted to assistant general manager. At the diner counter, Tim Nolan, of Milford, Pa, was sitting on a stool, eating his lunch, where he said he was not happy with the decision to sell and move the team. “It kind of stinks,” he said. Nolan took his daughter to a game once - and liked the admission price, which ranged from $7-$12 during the 2005 season. “It’s good for kids,” he said. “It’s cheap.” Nearby at the Ideal Farm and Garden Center, across from the stadium, Jan Tanis Jorritsma was checking the cash registers at the business she owns with her husband, Ben. As she moved about behind the counter, she offered little emotion n but lamented the community’s loss. “It was kind of nice to have a local team,” she said.