Bainbridge has begun to turn the Field of Bad Dreams into the Field of the Future.
Over the summer, Bainbridge boosters put pressure on the BI school district to provide better baseball and softball facilities. In the last couple of months, the two sides have worked together to turn Bainbridge into a baseball paradise.
“The BHS Baseball community is incredibly grateful for their efforts to make the fields safe and improve communications,” booster member Monica Knight said. “They’ve truly exceeded our expectations.”
Director of Facilities & Operations Dane Fenwick and BHS athletic director Luke Ande have led the charge in upgrading the field. “[Dane’s] commitment to upgrading the fields and improving the school district’s relationship with boosters has been such a refreshing and welcome change,” Knight said. “I can’t say enough good things about Luke. He’s delightful to work with and very passionate about building a thriving, cohesive athletic department.”
Bainbridge has painted both dugouts, purchased new scoreboard controllers for both fields, added a concession stand for home games and is building a larger shed for baseball storage. “The players and coaches are extremely excited about the upgrades,” Knight said. “They can’t wait to get out there this season and be proud to play on their home field.”
The boosters spent about $1,500 on the dugouts and $3,500 for the scoreboard.
Bainbridge has several things on its wishlist. It hopes to fill the bullpens with new dirt, purchase new plates for the bullpens, add new doors and locks to the dugouts, install a rock warning track and rebuild the pitching mound in 2023.
The Spartans look to add covered batting cages, new bleachers, purchase a tractor, run electrical to the field and add lights in 2024. “It’s been a really rewarding experience,” Knight said. “The situation was overwhelming and tough to navigate at first, but I very quickly realized what an amazing community we have here on Bainbridge.”
Bainbridge baseball is planning to add a rock warning track in the outfield.
The Bainbridge Spartans are improving their baseball field, including repainting the dugouts. Courtesy Photo
