Little League ready for major upgrades to existing ballpark
By JONATHAN BARBEE

El Campo Little League president Michael Wall will announce at the organization's annual public board meeting Sunday an ambitious capital campaign that will seek to raise up to $2 million in upgrades, renovations and additions to Youth Memorial Park.

The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Little League Office behind the Chamber of Commerce on Washington Street. Attendees will be allowed to seek a position on the board, ask seek a position on the board, ask questions of the current board questions of the current board and comment on the proposed and comment on the proposed improvements and the upcoming improvements and the upcoming capital campaign. capital campaign.

Of the proposed upgrades, the most pressing is the need for most pressing is the need for new upgraded lighting expected new upgraded lighting expected to cost up to $600,000. to cost up to $600,000.

"After 30 to 40 years of play, our current lighting system is our current lighting system is beginning to fail and we are beginning to fail and we are beginning to need replacements beginning to need replacements on all seven of our fields," Wall on all seven of our fields," Wall said.

The next priority is to reposition two fields around a new two fields around a new concession stand and press box, "wagon-wheel" style. That is expected to cost an additional $300,000.

Finally, the last stage of improvements would include building a new softball field complete with fencing and lighting, a mini concession stand and field house for the baseball field that is used for high school and Senior League play, and storage. These additions are anticipated to cost an additional $300,000.

"El Campo Little League is one of the largest and most complete programs in our district and the state of Texas. We are one of the few that participate in both boys and girls divisions for tee ball all the way through Senior League," Wall said.

"We charge $55 to $65 per player. This is about 10 percent to 40 percent less expensive than most of the fees in comparable districts. However, if we have to selffinance these improvements completely, the cost to the player will increase up to $90 to $125.

"This type of increase is not acceptable because it would prevent many families from allowing their children to play ball just because they cannot afford it," Wall added.

"We want to improve the facilities and give more kids a premier place to play."

According to Wall, 635 players composing 56 teams and an additional 10 all-star teams participated last year.

"We are self-maintained," said Wall. "We have proven that we can operate on our own without being subsidized. We just need funds to upgrade our facility."

Wall said that 15 percent of the local Little League's operating budget comes from the City of El Campo and El Campo ISD.

"If we do not (make these improvements) the park will continue to deteriorate and eventually become unsafe and unplayable. If these fields and parks are not invested in, the ability of ECLL to serve the community in the positive ways that it does will eventually stop or it will become too expensive for people to participate in," Wall said.

According to Wall, the current fields at Youth Memorial Park were built in 1961 after Hurricane Carla destroyed the existing ballpark.

"The field was built by volunteers and with what resources were available. But over time, as Little League has grown, it has become a more demanding organization," especially in regard to field design and improvements, Wall said.

Additional desired improvements include stadium seating, a raised central concession stand, an additional scoreboard, concrete walking paths, practice areas, paved parking areas and sunken dugouts.