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History Of Island Park Field For Little Leaguers ReviewedThe Reporter continues its serieson Little League Baseball in Wells-!vlllc with the account tonight of the building of the model layout in Island Park dedicated last Saturday.After consideration of many possible sites, Island Park was chosen as being the most practical and plans were started in the summer of 1954 for the building of a diamond and field facilities there.Following conferences with the Board of Trustees of the Village of Wellsville, a lease for three years was arranged and the actual work of clearing the ground was undertaken.A check of flood levels for the past ten years and a study of the various flood control plans dictated that the elevation of the field be raised 30 inches. After the necessary trees had been removed, the work of hauling in fill was begun.A total of 2,600 cubic yards of gravel was trucked in and leveled by bull-dozer. During the peak of this operation there were ten dump trucks hauling gravel. After the fill had been consolidated, a six inch layer of top soil was distributed.The field was hand-raked and graded, fertilized, limed and seeded. At this point winter caught up with the operations and activities out of doors stopped.Over the winter plans for a field house were drawn and estimates of materials and costs made On the basis of the developed costs and an estimate of the cost of the other necessary facilities, a financial drive was made to raise the cash funds which were thought needed.IEfforts were made to get an official ruling on the status of contributions to the Little League Park With respect to Federal Income Tax payments. The ruling has since come through from t’/a j'J I Bureau of Internal Revenue that donations of money or material to the Little League can be taken as exemptions in reporting incometax.As soon as the weather permitted in early Spring, additional seeding and fertilizing was done in the outfield.Excavations were made for dug-outs and the field house and concrete footers poured as soon as weather permitted. All three are of concrete block construction. Thedugouts have crushed stone floorswith wooden tops and sides andprotective screening. The fieldhouse was completed with a solidpoured concrete floor, concreteblock walls and partitions with wooden press box on the roof.One of the novelties is the installation of telephones in each dugout connected with the pressbox. First aid kits will be placed in each dug-out and the field house.The field house provides an adequate concession stand with four serving windows. At the opposite end of the building arc toilets for boys and girls connected to a septic tank system. In addition thefield house has three storage rooms and playing and maintenance equipment.An all new electric score board and public address system with record playing equipment has been provided. All arc operated from the press box.The field has been outlined with a chain link fence. This fencing was chosen because it offers a minimum of resistance to flood waters. A four foot strip of gravel has been spread around the entire playing surface for the twofold purpose of making the trimming of the grass an easier task and warning the pfoyers chasing fly balls that they are near the fence. Entrance gales have been provided near each dugout, at center field by the score board and a large one in left field for the movement of field maintenance equipment.Permanent wooden plank bleachers mounted on welded tubularfromeg seating approximately 60adults have been erected ‘on each foul line and additional seating capacity will be provided in the near future. Drinking fountains are installed near each dugout for the convenience of the spectators.Outside the playing area, the present area of gravel will be covered with top soil and planted to grass.The entire plan for the ball field as developed through the officers of the Little League and the Village Board has been to make the diamond an addition to Island Park which will blend into the the surroundings and be a part of them. With this thought in mind, green in various tones is the predominant color on all structures. This also prompted the Little League officers to do aWay wfth the usual advertising fence signs found in most parks. While this would be a good source of income, the officers felt that Little League in Wellsville could probably operate with its own sponsored program and voluntary contributions without reverting to sign revenue.The concession stand, which will be open for all Little League games, is being operated through the voluntary efforts of the mothers of Little Leaguers for the sole benefit of the Little League.Next — Rules for the Conduct of Little League Baseball Games.Hardshell, Baptist, Pumpk i n Chapel, Ili-Hat, Brightshade, Stopover, Julip, Mud Lick, Mud Camp, Fishtrap and Pippapass are places in Kentucky, says the National Geographic Society.
Newspaper Details
Wellsville Daily Reporter
Wellsville, New York, US
Thu, Jun 23, 1955
Page 10
Full Page
Clipped by
Mary R.
USA 21 Oct 2018
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Wellsville Free Press
Wellsville Allegany County Reporter
Wellsville Allegany County Democrat
Wellsville Genesee Valley Free Press
Spectator
