Enfield Little League Seeks Help To Get Field Complex Completed

ENFIELD, CT — For nearly half a century, Little League baseball has been a prominent presence on the ballfields behind Asnuntuck Community College, dating back to the mid-1970s when Kennedy Field was dedicated behind then-Kosciuszko Junior High School. A second field, with hitters facing Fox Hill Apartments, was built in the 1980s, but the rest of the land beyond the parking area was basically open space, used primarily for beginner's soccer.

That open space has recently been transformed into more fields for youths to play. A 50/70 field is now fully enclosed by a fence, and new tee ball fields are being constructed. The hopes of Enfield Little League officials is to produce an outstanding baseball complex which will rank among the finest facilities in the area.

A 50/70 field, sometimes called an intermediate field, contains dimensions between those of a traditional Little League diamond and a standard baseball diamond. The pitching distance is 50 feet, and base path distances are 70 feet.

Behind Asnuntuck, the 50/70 diamond is located adjacent to the west and south treelines, with the west edge bordering the rear parking area of a commercial building on Palomba Drive. An added safety measure has begun with the installation of six red pines to be used as posts for protective netting, donated by Connecticut Mulch Distributors and the Lindeland family.

"This will enable the league to save money and protect our environment," said Tim Norris, safety officer and player development manager for the league. "Just this donation saved the league thousands of dollars."

Another donation came through the efforts of volunteer John Thompson, who procured an old scoreboard from the South Windsor Little League and refurbished it, saving the Enfield organization about $3,800.

A number of improvements are planned for the 50/70 field, but more help is needed from volunteers and donors of materials.

"We would really love to get our dugouts moved into place, but need two cement pads poured or gravel," Norris said. "We would also love to get a cement pad or gravel for our new batting cages, dirt, two pitching rubbers, two plates, and fencing for a bullpen area near the 50/70 field. We would love a nice concession stand with bathrooms, a large flag pole that can be seen and honored from all fields, and an announcer's booth built at the 50/70 field, with power."

Norris said the group is not asking for money, but rather for those who have spare materials which could be used to construct these items, and skilled people to help them come to fruition.

"What I am going to ask is if anyone has building supplies they may have extra of and wouldn't mind donating," Norris said. "Or, maybe you know someone who might have extra supplies. Or, maybe you work at a company looking to provide a community service, or it has extra material to donate. Maybe you have extra plywood, 2x4s, 2x6s, screws, nails, green paint, paint brushes, hinges, electrical wiring, outlets, cement, fencing, doors, shingles, just lying around not being used. Maybe, your company would be willing to donate some supplies. Maybe, you are a skilled carpenter and wouldn't mind volunteering some time to help an army of volunteers."

Norris said anything donated is deductible.

"It also makes you feel wonderful," he added. "When Enfield's Little League complex is finished, it will be one of the premier Little League facilities in the area. It will be very capable of hosting a variety of baseball tournaments. The fields will be able to bring visitors to our community, customers to our local businesses and a sense of community pride."

Sponsorship coordinator Jon LeBlanc said, "It’s exciting to see all the progress Enfield Little League has recently made to upgrade our facilities, and there is still more to be done. The dedicated volunteers of the league who carry a vision and a can-do attitude, along with partners in our community, can help to make our complex one of, if not the best in the region, and we are determined to make this happen for all our youth ball players in town."

Anyone interested in volunteering or donating materials may write info@enfieldlittleleague.org.

Photos: Tim Jensen/Patch

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