A couple of Saturdays ago, the ballfields on the south side of Britton were abuzz with activity. This might seem odd given that the baseball and softball season have been concluded for a while. However, rather than play happening at the fields, it was work that as going on. Around 30 volunteers were busy helping out with various projects at the facility, and according to those leading the effort, things are shaping up nicely.
Improvements to the ballfield, a property owned by the city of Britton, have been in the minds of many for the last few years. But a group who really wanted to move the project forward formed last year. They began speaking to the city about what could be done to improve and enhance the fields that are already over ten years old. Improvements like drain tile, cement work, nicer dugouts, new bleachers, and many other ideas were discussed.
With the city’s support and a financial commitment of $100,000, a fundraising committee got busy on their end. Committee member and de facto planner of improvements, BJ Richter, explained, “We wanted to put in the work on our end and show the city and residents that we are working hard to be good stewards of those funds. We want to show that we have skin in the game.” To that end, a large fundraiser was held earlier this summer that raised around $35,000, plus additional funds received before and after that event.
Afterwards, the committee did not waste any time getting started on improvements. “After the season ended, we got started working right away,” noted Richter. The group recognized that the ‘big field’ needed a lot of attention. One of the first projects was to level the surface of that field with the installation of drain tile being the ultimate goal.
“The ground out there has trouble drying out,” said Richter. “If you have a heavy rain, it might take a week for the field to become playable again, so that drain tile will help tremendously.” He added that Jerke Irrigation out of Aberdeen has been a big help with this part of the project as well.
To accomplish the field preparations for that project and many other projects, Richter has been pleased to have a small army of volunteers help with the effort. Leading up to and especially on that Saturday a couple of weeks ago, the volunteer spirit has been impressive.
Dozens of people with shovels, hammers, drills and brushes turned out to lend a hand that day, tells Richter. Local businesses like CDJ Electric and Meyer Hardware Hank also volunteered equipment and time. The enthusiastic group got busy.
People worked on many areas of the fields and facilities. Volunteers helped with dirt work, fixing the batting cages, tearing up concrete, fixing wood structures and more. Many toiled away on the backstop of the big field where the plan is to move that structure in several feet to improve playability. The dugouts are also in need of updates so volunteers got busy on those.
Richter added that beyond improving the experience out there for players, they also want to improve it for spectators. Enhancements like better seating, improved sight lines and more concrete for increased accessibility will make the experience for baseball and softball fans even better.
The willing volunteers were crucial to many of the projects getting underway in the last weeks. Richter added, “It is not as if all of these people are experts either. Some hadn’t run a drill before, but everyone was so willing to lend a hand.”
He estimated that the unpaid helpers have already completed tens of thousands of dollars of improvements this summer. “We could not have gotten nearly this much done without all these people,” said Richter. “Nor, could we afford to do this much without the volunteers. Big goals like this take a lot of people who are willing to volunteer their time and resources.”
Britton Baseball and Softball Association President Kelsi Heer added that volunteers on all levels have been crucial to the success of the growing ball program over the last several years. “The help has been invaluable to the program,” she noted.
For the city’s part, they too have been impressed by the work at the field and appreciative of the effort. “We don’t always have enough manpower and time to do everything we’d like to do,” said Britton Public Works Supervisor George Flanery. “So it’s nice that the ball program folks are stepping up to the plate to help. At the end of the day, we all have the same goals: to enhance the playability of the fields and the experience of people attending games and visiting the area.”
Richter agreed. “We are proud of what we have here with our ball program and our town. We want to add value to that because it will reflect not only well on baseball and softball, but the whole community.”
“By investing in the facility, we hope to get people excited about the sport but also about the town,” added Heer. “This will help not only the ball program but local businesses and our infrastructure in general.”
As they look to the future, Richter said the committee is excited by what they’ve already done but also by what the future holds. Other improvements are on the horizon, such as rotating the southwest field likely after next summer’s ball season. Beyond that, who knows what so many willing hands can accomplish.
Program organizers look forward to bigger and better things coming up, especially as enthusiasm for ball remains strong in the area. Richter is excited by the likely return of an American Legion team next summer and even the revitalization of the Lumberjacks, the old amateur team.
“Ball is a fun sport that really brings people together,” said Richter. “We want to support that even as we welcome community members, patrons and visitors to the area to enjoy our impressive facility.”
