Millburn HS Baseball Field Will Get $353K Facelift

MILLBURN, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Millburn Diamond Club. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here.

The Millburn Diamond Club presented the district with a gift in the amount of $353,200 at the Millburn Board of Education meeting on Nov. 20.

Spearheaded by board member Tami Krikorian, Millburn High School’s baseball booster organization has been working hard this past year raising funds and finalizing plans for an exciting new renovation to the varsity baseball field. Plans include brand new dugouts for home and visiting teams, upgraded fencing, new bullpens and an improved fan experience that includes stadium seating.

After winning two state championships in the past three years, friends and supporters of Millburn baseball felt it was time to update the aging baseball facility that did not even offer dugouts to shelter players from the elements. Over the last eight months, the Diamond Club was able to raise enough funds to gift the district the full cost for Phase 1 of the project. The club is now looking to raise $40,000 in additional funds to put the finishing touches on the project including: furnishing the insides of the dugouts, installation of new bullpen pitching mounds and a new warning track around the foul territory on the infield.

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“I love coaching in Millburn and being a part of the strong baseball tradition in this town,” said Coach Brian Chapman. “I’m not alone in believing that this top-ranked program deserves to play in a top-notch facility.”

Since taking the helm of the Millburn Baseball program in 2008, Chapman has led the Millburn Millers to an overall record of 161-45. Achievements include:

• 3 Super Essex Conference Championships
• 4 Sectional championships
• 2 NJ Group 4 State Championships
• 7 players that went on to play D1 baseball and 20 players overall that went on to play in college.

“I’ve coached most of these players as they came through Millburn’s baseball program and it’s been a pleasure helping to make this dream a reality,” said Ted Bourke, former mayor of Millburn and longtime baseball coach. “This project will benefit our town’s young baseball players and their families for years to come.”

The Diamond Club needs the community’s help to reach their final fundraising goals to ensure that their field of dreams becomes a reality. The plans have received Board of Education approval and the wheels are in motion to have construction begin in time to complete work for the start of the 2018 baseball season.

For more information about the field renovations and how to contribute to the effort, email millburnmillersdiamondclub@gmail.com

Donations can also be made through Community Pass: http://register.capturepoint.c... (choose Millburn Diamond Club and then pick "Field Of Dreams Donations”).

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Photo: Millburn Diamond Club