By JANINE QUEENIN
Correspondent
WESTFIELD – Play ball!
After the annual opening day parade and toss of the ceremonial first pitch, baseball and softball season began for Westfield Little League at Cross St., Papermill, Sadie Knox, and Hampden Pond fields. Once a source of civic pride, Westfield’s ball fields now suffer from age, neglect, and lack of funding.
To address these concerns, Westfield Little League will launch a capital campaign in September to fund field improvements.
According League President Ken Diegle, the decision to run a $50,000 capital campaign came after a league-sponsored review of the fields.
KEN DIEGLE
“(We) started a capital campaign after a board member suggested a thorough review of the fields and inventory of the league’s equipment. We didn’t know we needed it as much as we did,” said Diegle.
The City of Westfield owns the fields, but much of the maintenance and funding for improvements comes from the league. This system led to uneven field quality that varied based on the volunteerism of parents and allocation of league resources.
Diegel said quality fields are about more than just aesthetics, “First it’s about safety,” he said. “The fields need fresh grass, so balls have a true bounce. If not a true bounce, someone could get hurt.”
The league also sees field improvements as integral to the future and the ability to maintain a vibrant sports program.
“(We’re) trying to grow the league whose numbers have decreased in recent years due to competition for players from other sports,” said Diegel. “Improving fields will help keep players we have and prevent them from going to other leagues. If (they’re) playing on good fields, we’ll keep them all the way through their Little League career.”
The league currently funds the program and improvements to the fields with registration fees, team and banner sponsorships, and a league-wide raffle. During the capital campaign, Diegel hopes to secure in-kind donations, grants, monetary donations from businesses and individuals, and receive support from the City.
According to Diegel, the City committed to making some improvements to the fields. As part of that commitment, the Mayor’s office commissioned a survey to review the city’s park and recreation areas.
“For the past five years the Mayor has been looking at the City to see where we’re lacking,” said Tammy Teftt the city’s chief procurement officer. “He started with buildings and has moved to recreation fields and Park and Rec buildings. (The Mayor) proposed spending $225K to make improvements to existing bathroom and concession facilities at six of the city’s parks including Cross St., Papermill, and Sadie Knox.”
Released in November 2014, the survey results identify deficiencies at all of the City’s park and recreation fields and makes recommendations for improvement. Specifically to Little League, the survey lists bathroom facilities, concession stands, and dugouts as needing attention.
“Projects will done based on a needs assessment and other considerations like, can the work be done in-house or should it be sent out to bid and what is the timeline of the project,” said Teftt. “(The city) will try to encompass everything in the report to get it done.”
Last week, the City Council considered the Mayor’s proposed $1.8 million bond order for athletic field improvements. The finance committee voted to keep the funding proposal in committee for further consideration.
“(There’s) not an appetite (in the City Council) for any additional debt load,” said City Councilor Matt VanHeynigen. “With the (new) school, senior center, and a host of others in line, its earliest consideration will be in August.”
To date, Little League has secured several grants and private donations to help reach its funding goals. In 2015, it raised private funds to procure a new groomer for Sadie Knox field, purchased a super sopper used to soak up excess water for Papermill field, and installed a new fence at Cross Street field.
“(We) haven’t waited, if there is excess money in the general fund we’ll use it to make improvements now,” said Diegel. “Next up will be new grass for Sadie Knox, a new scoreboard at Papermill, and an irrigation system at Hampden Ponds.”
Diegel has high hopes for the future of the league.
“A state championship or regional championship (series) would be great,” he said.
