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A new baseball stadium for the community is well on its way, but the Morton Youth Baseball Association is in need of donations to help complete the project.
“We started this in July, when our season started to wind down,” said MYBA President Jeff Nott. “We destroyed the field that was there, cleared almost an acre of trees and reshaped that whole area. We planted new trees in the back to replace what we took out.”
According to Nott, work on grass, sprinklers, bases and lighting is complete on the first of two fields at Westwood Park. Currently, work is being done on dugouts. The score board, he said, will go up in March.
The first field is expected to be complete in time for the IHSA high school season in mid-March.
“We could play baseball there now,” Nott said. “There’s a ton of hours that have already been put into this.”
The field will be utilized by all levels of Morton High School baseball, MYBA teams and the American Legion.
Sunday morning baseball officials have expressed interest in using the field, and Illinois Central College and Bradley University baseball coaches have discussed playing exhibition games at the field.
Nott said it really is a stadium created by and for everybody in the community.
“This has truly been a community project,” he said. “We’ve probably had well over 200 volunteers help with the field at different times. We’ve had several businesses donate labor and materials as well, which has helped out tremendously.”
MYBA board member Tim Brunton said that when 175,000 square feet of sod needed to be laid on the field, more than 150 people — many with no ties to MYBA — came out to lend a hand.
“We’ve had a lot of community support,” he said. “People have not only donated a monetary amount, but many have also donated their time.”
Brunton said the total cost of the project will come to about $800,000. The bulk of the funds, he said, have come from Morton District 709, Morton Park District and the MYBA.
“This project is really unique in that when it’s done, there won’t be another like it in the area,” Brunton said. “It’s been a true community endeavor and it’s really something that’s going to benefit Morton.”
About 550 children ages 5 to 14 participate in MYBA each summer.
To donate, contact the Morton Community Foundation at 291-0434, or print the donation form located at mortoncommunityfoundation.org or mortonyouthbaseball.org and mail the form along with a donation to Morton Community Foundation, 309 N. Main St., Suite B.
A new baseball stadium for the community is well on its way, but the Morton Youth Baseball Association is in need of donations to help complete the project.
“We started this in July, when our season started to wind down,” said MYBA President Jeff Nott. “We destroyed the field that was there, cleared almost an acre of trees and reshaped that whole area. We planted new trees in the back to replace what we took out.”
According to Nott, work on grass, sprinklers, bases and lighting is complete on the first of two fields at Westwood Park. Currently, work is being done on dugouts. The score board, he said, will go up in March.
The first field is expected to be complete in time for the IHSA high school season in mid-March.
“We could play baseball there now,” Nott said. “There’s a ton of hours that have already been put into this.”
The field will be utilized by all levels of Morton High School baseball, MYBA teams and the American Legion.
Sunday morning baseball officials have expressed interest in using the field, and Illinois Central College and Bradley University baseball coaches have discussed playing exhibition games at the field.
Nott said it really is a stadium created by and for everybody in the community.
“This has truly been a community project,” he said. “We’ve probably had well over 200 volunteers help with the field at different times. We’ve had several businesses donate labor and materials as well, which has helped out tremendously.”
MYBA board member Tim Brunton said that when 175,000 square feet of sod needed to be laid on the field, more than 150 people — many with no ties to MYBA — came out to lend a hand.
“We’ve had a lot of community support,” he said. “People have not only donated a monetary amount, but many have also donated their time.”
Brunton said the total cost of the project will come to about $800,000. The bulk of the funds, he said, have come from Morton District 709, Morton Park District and the MYBA.
“This project is really unique in that when it’s done, there won’t be another like it in the area,” Brunton said. “It’s been a true community endeavor and it’s really something that’s going to benefit Morton.”
About 550 children ages 5 to 14 participate in MYBA each summer.
To donate, contact the Morton Community Foundation at 291-0434, or print the donation form located at mortoncommunityfoundation.org or mortonyouthbaseball.org and mail the form along with a donation to Morton Community Foundation, 309 N. Main St., Suite B.
