MYSA Makes Formal Proposal For New Field, Upgrades

MOORESTOWN, NJ - The Moorestown Youth Softball Association (MYSA) has submitted a formal request for upgrades to their existing field and construction for another.

MYSA presented a proposal to the township’s Recreation Advisory Committee on Tuesday night in which it requested a new field at the site of the old Wesley Bishop Skate Park. It also requested upgrades to its field at the Wesley Bishop south.

The association has said it will chip in for part of the price of construction. Artificial turf is not part of the request. Director of Parks and Recreation Theresa McGettigan-Miller will discuss the proposal when she meets with the township during a budget workshop meeting on Friday morning, April 12, at town hall.

If the township gives its approval, she will then meet with the engineer to come up with a preliminary design. This is when the cost of the project will begin to come into focus.

• Black, chain link fencing;
• Fenced-in and covered dugouts;
• On-deck circles;
• Bleachers with concrete pads;
• Appropriate environmental, soil, irrigation and drainage amenities;
• Lighting: needed for both playing at night and a requirement for hosting tournaments; and
• A retaining wall, which can be shared with the lacrosse club.

• Regrading;
• Soil refinement;
• Drainage improvements; and
• New backstops and fenced-in, covered dugouts with all black chain-link fencing.

With lighting installed, Moorestown would qualify to host tournaments. If it can do that, proceeds from those tournaments can go toward MYSA’s contributions for the new field and the upgrades.

Other contributions could include a home run derby for parents, bricks that have financial donors’ names on them, grants from Major League Baseball’s Tomorrow Fund, corporate sponsorships, beef and beer fundraisers, apparel sales, refreshments sold at games and other fundraising opportunities.

The request was made because the fields are in a low-lying area near wetlands, and rain can be a huge nightmare at a time of year when it never seems to let up. MYSA has had to cancel more than a dozen games over the last two years on days when other teams were playing due to field conditions, according to MYSA Board Member Bob Reilley.

MYSA officials have also said Moorestown's fields aren't on the same level as some other towns in their league, which include Cinnaminson, Delran and Marlton, among others.

The proposal came after about a decade of discussion on the issue. There was money in the budget for design plans, but with the election of two new council members in November and the appointment of a new engineer by the new Democratic majority, the project is getting a new set of eyes.

Read more here: MYSA Continues To Seek Softball Field Upgrades