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Project Committee:
Co-chairs: Larry Berkson & Larry Williams, Jr.
Secretary/Treasurer: Melody Williams
Clerk of the Works: Richard Foss
Advisor: James Parker
Other Members: Gary “Buddy” Bedell, Steve Davis, Arthur Morse,
Daniel Mullen, Susan Carbon and Rodney Taylor
The Problems:
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No
home field with 90-foot base paths for youth ages 13-16
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Parking haphazard and unsafe (a car rolled onto the fields last
year)
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No
handicapped access to fields
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Drainage is extremely poor (puddles after every rainstorm)
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There
are no permanent restroom facilities
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Park
is not aesthetically pleasing (needs beautification)
The Project
In 2003 PYBA purchased an adjacent piece of property so that a
regulation size Babe Ruth Field with 90-foot base paths could be
constructed for use by 13-16 year olds. This upgrade has been a
dream for many years but the expense and time required to raise such
large sums needed have made it impossible to accomplish. Nearly all
of the funds that are raised annually go towards upkeep of the
present fields and equipment for the more than 300 children who play
baseball, softball and soccer there each year.
The three existing fields will be raised about three feet with earth
moved from where the fourth field will be constructed. They will be
graded so that water will run off of them rather than collect in
pools making play difficult and unsafe, as is now the case.
In addition to these changes other major improvements will be made:
handicapped access, paved and organized parking, permanent
restrooms, beautifying the entire park, lighting in the parking lot
and walking areas, and if enough funds are raised, the Babe Ruth
field will be lighted so that games can be played at night. The
latter has the advantage of helping to provide maintenance funds for
PYBA. Tournaments can be held at that time, which bring in
substantial tournament fees and increased income from the concession
stand.
Community Support: The project has strong community support.
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The
Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to support the project
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The
School Board voted unanimously to support the project
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The
Road Agent and Town Clerk support the project
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The
Zoning Board gave a variance to make the project possible
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The
Planning Board approved the project
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The
Trustees of Trust Funds support the project
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Financial Support has been given by local organizations:
-The Rotary Club
-The Women of Rotary
-The Pittsfield Police Association
-The Pittsfield Clothes Closet
-The Foss Family Foundation
-The Class of 1944
Progress to date. All of the engineering plans have been
completed, thanks to Brown Engineering, and all state and local
permits have been acquired. Preliminary work is nearly complete.
Carl Sherblum voluntarily designed the septic system for the new
restrooms. In the fall of 2007 David Ladd removed several acres of
trees and brush free of charge. In the spring of 2008 Jim Parker
voluntarily removed the stumps and made ready to have the new field
constructed. The project will begin in earnest after the 2008
playing season is over in the late summer. The project will continue
through to 2009 when play on the fields will be suspended. It is
planned that the project will be completed in time for the opening
of the 2010 season.
Financial Support. This undertaking is massive and is
certainly the largest non-governmental project to help the youth of
Pittsfield since the Town Swimming Pool was launched decades ago.
Thanks to an anonymous donation of $100,000 we are now able to begin
to realize our dream. To date the following has been raised.
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Local
businesses have contributed over $37,000
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Local
organizations have contributed $5,500
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Over
30 individuals have contributed $500 or more
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Over
55 separate individuals have made contributions
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The
Class of 1944, the Foss Family Foundation and the Trustees of
Trust Funds have made major donations
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An
additional $80,000 has been pledged toward the project
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In-kind contributions by contractors to date total over $25,000
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Various contractors have agreed to supply in-kind contributions
in the amount of approximately $70,000
Financial Needs. The PYBA still needs to
raise approximately $200,000.
Grant proposals have been sent to seven foundations for assistance. PYBA
is awaiting word from the Army Engineers who, if available, will do
a considerable amount of the construction for the cost of the fuel
that they use. Fundraising
continues and we hope that Pittsfield alumni, residents and others
interested in the welfare of Pittsfield’s youth will make
contributions, no matter what size.
Please send donations to the Pittsfield Youth Baseball Association,
P. O. Box 112, Pittsfield, New Hampshire 03263.
For further information call
Larry Berkson at (603) 798-3984.
The Benefits of Donating. There are
several major benefits to making donations to the project.
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Donors will be contributing to an extremely worthwhile cause,
the youth of Pittsfield
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Donors will be contributing to the infrastructure of Pittsfield,
hence making it a more attractive place to live
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PYBA
is a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) organization and thus
contributions are tax deductible
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An
article will be placed in The Suncook Valley Sun
announcing major gifts along with a picture of the individual
making the contribution
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A
metal tablet will be placed at the field permanently
acknowledging those who make major donations to the project
Old Baseball Field Layout
Future Baseball Field Layout
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