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Improvements under way at Optimist Field
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 City worker Rick Croghan helps guide a block as it is lowered Thursday during the construction of a new batting cage complex at Optimist Field. DICK MASON/The Observer A new batting cage complex is being installed. The complex, which will have two cages, is part of a community service project involving many volunteers. The complex, which will replace the present one, will be safer for two reasons: • It will have a 12-foot by 140-foot concrete pad. The present batting cages contain small gravel. When a batted ball hits the ground, pebbles can fly up and hit the batter or the pitcher in an eye, said Mark Lanman, of the La Grande Parks and Recreation Department, who is helping coordinate the project.• The new cages will have no poles near their nets. Balls will not be able to ricochet off the poles and hit a batter or pitcher, said Lanman, the La Grande High School head baseball coach. An artificial Astroturf-type rug will be laid along the batting cage complex’s concrete pad. The rug will be purchased in part with money Safeway donated to the LHS baseball program after the Tigers won the 2007 State Class 4A title. The money was donated to pay for a party celebrating the state title. Lanman, though, asked that it be saved and spent later for the baseball facility. The complex will be outside Optimist Field and run parallel to the third base line. It will be about 100 feet south of one of the present batting cages. The relocation will free up more parking space for fans who want to watch games from their vehicles along the fence running parallel to the third base and left field line. Previously there was room for four or five vehicles. Under the new arrangement, though, there will be space for about a dozen vehicles. Lanman said this will be particularly helpful for people who do not want to sit in the grandstand because of physical problems making it hard for them to get around. “There will be more spots for people to watch games,’’ the LHS baseball coach said. Volunteers who are assisting with the project include Steve Johnston of Challis Concrete Construction, who is playing a major role in spearheading the project; Jamie Challis of Challis Concrete Construction; Kevin Hampton of Rogers Asphalt; Mike Partney of Microtec; and Jeff Hines of USA Concrete. Assistance is also being provided by Bronson Lumber, Industrial World, the Union County Public Works’ road department and the city of La Grande Parks and Recreation Department. The project could be finished by March 1. Lanman said he is struck by how generous people have been in lending helping hands to the project. “It’s amazing how people have stepped forward in these hard economic times,’’ Lanman said. “It tells you what kind of community we have.’’ |
