A Warrior's Effort Puts the Ball in Play at Park Arthur

As speeches were made and the first pitches thrown in the opening day ceremonies for the first game at Park Arthur in Muskego, it may not have been apparent how many pieces had to come together to build the diamond.

"If it was not for the Muskego Warriors Youth Baseball organization getting the ball rolling this park would still be for sledding only," said Jim Prusinski, a board member for the organization.

Prusinski said the process started five to six years ago when he approached Parks Director Craig Anderson asking if there were any plans for another regulation-sized diamond. Horn Field is the only other such diamond in the city featuring 90-foot base paths and a deep enough outfield.

At that time, Prusinski's son was playing tee ball for the Muskego Athletic Association and he noticed there were 12 teams at that level. Reading into the future, he said, "It got me thinking that when these kids get of age to play on the larger diamond the city would not be able to handle the amount of kids on one regulation size field." 

His assumptions proved correct as last year one Muskego team had to play their games in Wind Lake and possibly two teams this year would have been looking for a field to play on.

While Anderson said the park space was there, but money to build a baseball diamond would have to come from private groups. After a collaboration among all of the baseball organization failed to materialize, Prusinski felt that it would be the Warriors to take on the task of fundraising.

The group's efforts, which included a personalized brick sale, have donated nearly $90,000 to date for the field's fencing and planned dugouts. Additional fundraising will hopefully add bullpens, a scoreboard and a batting cage, according to Prusinski.

The inaugural game for the U13 Warriors against the New Berlin Magic was also a cause for celebration, with the Warriors blanking the Magic 10-0.