Dusty Rhodes and Robb Field full of fun

It’s a huge grassy area, maybe minus all the frills of its next-door neighbor. But Dusty Rhodes Park was a haven for preteen rugby players this winter. Most of the year, the area located between Nimitz and Sunset Cliffs boulevards is filled with families who’ve come to party and play.  But from December through March, youngsters are mustered for 24 minutes of nonstop action, tackling, running and passing off a strange-looking ball. Part of the problem for parents and friends is just getting to one of the two and a half playing fields.  Parking a car in the narrow and limited lot is an assignment in itself. One exhausted 11-year old was asked about his team’s huge, 60-0 triumph. “It was great, but I’m really ready for Little League (season),” he said with a rather tired expression. That next-door neighbor, of course, is Robb Field with all the bells and whistles to satisfy any sport enthusiast. And there is plenty. Along the San Diego River, this athletic field is complete with multiple baseball diamonds, areas for football and soccer, tennis courts, handball courts, a workout gym, basketball courts and a 409-square-foot concrete skate park. And, there’s a department head for every sport category.  Robb Field park hours are 4 to 8:45 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 4 to 7:45 p.m. on Fridays, and from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. *** Didn’t want Mussel — Maybe you knew this, but when folks started settling down, they were searching for a name to call Ocean Beach; anything that would identify with the area. They came up with Mussel (not Muscle), Medanos  (Spanish for dunes), Palmer’s Place and Palmiro’s. Well, they eyed the expansive waters of the Pacific and admired the sandy shore and decided to keep it simple: Ocean Beach.  ***                          Careless Boaters — Damaged San Diego bay warning markers continue to be a navigating concern for the U.S. Coast Guard. The Coast Guard responded to three separate vessel collisions involving the navigational aids near the west end of Shelter Island in the past year, two of which were unreported. “The responsible party in this case did not report the collision or damage to the Coast Guard when it happened, as is required by law,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Tapp, officer in charge. “Unfortunately, they also left a dangerous hazard in the area that could have easily damaged or injured another mariner using that aid for navigation in the dark or in foggy conditions.  “A broken ladder was left perpendicular and protruding near the water line right at a level where it could have easily been struck again,” he said. “We are very fortunate that a mariner on a smaller vessel did not hit the dangerous protrusion from the pole and injure themselves or others.” — Johnny McDonald is a longtime writer and columnist for the San Diego Community Newspaper Group. He can be reached at [email protected].