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April 26, 2008 - Opening Day and the Pony field gets corralled!!!

 

 

 

 

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April 21, 2008

**Important**    **Opening day preparations** 

This Thursday (April 24), we will be having the clean-up night at the Oliver fields. (rain or shine) I would like to see about 10 people to help get the fields and grounds ready for opening weekend. I need someone to bring a weed whacker and fuel, and someone to bring a push broom and shovel. I will bring the pressure washer, brush, hose, and lawn vacuum to clean up the nut husks and small paper.

 **Phillips**

 This Saturday (April 26) starting at 8 A.M., we will be doing work on the field at Phillips. We will be trying to make more improvements to the home plate area, redefining the foul lines and any other things we can get accomplished in a couple of hours.

 I will also need 2 volunteers to get the concession stand at Phillips cleaned before the first home game. Last year I did it by myself, but not this year. It took me an hour and a half by myself, so it should take half that if there are at least 2 people sharing the work. There just isn't that much to clean there. If you are interested, call me: 724-466-1074 or e-mail: cm15401@Yahoo.com. You provide the labor and I'll provide the water and cleaning supplies.

 **New PONY field**

 To set the record straight, and quell the rumors, here is where we are on the new PONY field: the fence contract has been awarded, and the install date is no later than April 30. However, we will extend that if the weather stays too wet for them to install without doing more harm than good to the field. The fence company was ready to install at the beginning of April, however we stopped them, as we needed to bring back the bulldozer to do more grading at the outfield perimeter, and we needed to cut back the bank on the 3rd base side, as there was no room for the fence. We took advantage of the first dry enough conditions to get it done. We also did some light tilling to hand grade for water drainage. For those of you who are still wondering, no, the DEP did not do any damage to the field, nor did anyone else. (except the lone bicycle rut done last winter, and it actually helped drain some water). 

South Union Twp. was kind enough to bring in their aerator last week, and North Union put another round of fertilizer down. Remember, we put down a foot of dirt not 8 months ago, and it is still settling in places. We seeded and fertilized last year, but the natural rainfall was not with us before winter.

 There are still french drains to be installed, the baselines and pitcher's mound need to be cut and infield loam to be placed. However, if it is too wet, we cannot get the trucks and equipment on the field without causing more damage than we are fixing.

 Please understand we are moving along and making progress, but it will take time. I know everybody is anxious to play, and myself and the officers of the League are anxious to have you play. Please bear with the project and the time it will take to complete it. If you have questions or you want to volunteer your time to work on any of the fields, please use the contact info above to get in touch with me directly.

 Please remember, we do not have a professional staff to maintain things. I do what I can, when I can, along with the volunteers who help me, but my time is more limited this year than last. It would be a big help if the teams would just rake down the rough spots on their respective fields when they are done, (when the fields are soft, like they are right now) and put some more effort into maintaining home plate and the pitcher's mounds. If you are kind enough to drag the field(s) when they are dry, please do do in a clockwise direction. (home to 3rd to 2nd, etc.) It will help bring the material back that gets moved from the base when kids are sliding into the base. Please stay at least 2 feet from the outfield grass. It's the buildup of material in the grass causing that hump. I have plans to cut the humps form both the T-Ball and Minor/Junior fields, however I would also like to cut the baselines on the PONY field at the same time. At $175/day, I want to get every penny out of that machine I can.

 Pitcher's mound on the Minor and Junior field: if you are a coach who has a pitcher that insists on digging out the dirt in front of the rubber, please rake it back in at the conclusion of your game. It would be best if they were broken of that habit. I think you would be hard pressed to find a pitching coach who advocates a pitcher throwing from a hole. They may think it helps them push towards home plate, but besides the uneven footing, it limits the amount of natural rotation their foot does when they shift their weight during their delivery. Your choice how you handle it, but please have some consideration for the teams playing after you and fill in that hole.

 Please lock the gates on both fields if you are the last game of the night. It will help keep the dog doo off of our kids clothes and out of our vehicles. Also, please lock the batting cage when you are finished for the night.

 T-ball coaches, I will be posting some sort of directions on how to get the lights turned on, and what breakers must be left on for the dusk to dawn lights to function properly. Also remember, once those lights are on and hot, if you turn them off, there is approx. a 15 minute re-strike time before they will come back on.

 Thank you,

Craig McKee

 

 

 

 

 

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March 19, 2008

Baseball season is now upon us, and it's time to get back to making repairs/improvements. 

First off, for those teams getting in early practice, if you are playing on a soft field and you are leaving divets in the infield when you play, PLEASE, take the landscape rakes and rake them down before you leave. I will be installing locks on the gates to minimize the amount of non-baseball related traffic on the fields, so we can have less maintenance issues and more playing time. I only ask that you have courtesy for the team that will use it after you. 

The township is waiting for the weather to clear, and they are going to do the block work on the T-Ball dugout. I will be looking for volunteers to replace the roof within the next week to week and a half. Daytime, evening or weekend, we'll get together when we can assemble the most help and knock it out. We will also be reinforcing the roof mounts on the other dugout. 

I reiterated my request to have several truckloads of infield material brought to the T-Ball field. We will try to raise the level of the infield so some of that water can drain into the grass. We will also be raising 2nd and 3rd bases, possibly lowering 1st base, and installing clay at home plate. This should mean a better playing surface, but for some teams, it will mean a loss of some practice time on the field. I apologize in advance, and I will try to do things as quickly as possible. Also, as the weather warms up, remember, we have lights on that field, so practice times can be extended. 

On the Minor/Junior field: I will be cutting the hump from where the infield meets the outfield, re-cutting the outfield foul lines and replacing the fire hose for better fair/foul calls. I have also asked for more infield material for that field as well, as the composition has changed over the years from so much 'field dry' being added. We will also make some changes to the pitching mound to make it safer during damp/wet field conditions. Finally, we will also raise 3rd base to eliminate the loose base condition that exists there. 

On the new Pony field: After some settling this past winter, we need to bring the bulldozer back in to shave some of the excess material that is preventing good drainage in the outfield. We also have to widen the area outside the baselines near the outfield fence to give us more room between the baseline and the fence. Neither is a big issue, but we need drier weather, obviously. 

The fence bid has been awarded, and the contract states a completion date of no later than April 30. I would expect however, that that date could be extended if we get a spring like last year with all the rain. 

When we play on this field will be determined by a host of factors, just please be aware we are moving ahead as fast as we can. 

R.W.Clark field: At the conclusion of the season last year, I removed some sections of the outfield fence so I could dig out the trees and vines that were growing up through the fence. Some of the line posts need replaced, then the fence fabric can be re-installed. I also have drain basins to install to alleviate the water collection at home plate. Weeds and grass need to be killed in the infield and the bleachers need to be moved, so spectators aren't looking directly into the sun. Since this is only a practice field, the other fields will be ahead of it on the priority list. Once again, please tell your parents and visitors, to park on the pavement or along the road only! Please do not park on the grass. It just isn't that far of a walk. We need to remember we are guests on that field, and we don't want to lose it. 

Phillips: We have ordered replacement matting for the pitcher's mound and will get that replaced for the pitcher's safety. We will also make any other repairs to the field as necessary (weed killing, drainage, etc.) so it will be as playable as is practical. With 4 teams in Pony this year, I would really like to see someone other than just myself to help clean the concession stand this year. 

If you have time to help with any of these projects, please contact me with your available days and times and we'll get started in earnest on these projects.

 Here are my contacts: 

cm15401@yahoo.com
724-438-0200 (w)
724-466-1074 (c)
724-437-5006 (h) before 9:30 p.m. please.

As always, if you have a concern you would like addressed, I'll listen to anything you have to say, but please, be willing to help and have a practical suggestion on how to fix the situation. I try my best to be aware of the shortcomings of our facilities, but there are things I will miss. Try to remember, I'm a volunteer like you.

Craig McKee
Grounds Committee Chairman

 

 

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September 20, 2007 - Grounds Committee Still Rolling

For all of you who though baseball season was over, let me remind you it's not! Through the diligent and tireless efforts of Jim Guthrie, Walsh Construction brought one of it's big dozers to the site of the new Pony field and began moving that pile of dirt. Jim, being the talented guy (and union operator he is) also had a go in the dozer for us to finish with the rough grading. Walsh then sent a roller and grader down to do some preliminary finish grading. Remember to thank Jim the next time you see him, as his efforts for this equipment and operators (including his time behind the sticks) saved the League thousands of dollars. 

The Township has been busy too. They cleared a lot of the weeds and brush along the new walking track and Supervisor Tupta has been doing more of the finish grading with the township grader for us. When we can get together for the final laser assisted grading, we should be ready for rock picking. 

We are trying several avenues to obtain the money necessary to install the fencing this fall. However, when you have no collateral or steady income stream, coming up with the nearly $21K we need is difficult at best, but we are still trying. If you know of anyone who is in a position to donate or loan the League a substantial amount of money, please let us know, we would like to speak with them.

I want to take a minute to thank those who helped out around the park this year with all of the maintenance issues. Your help was very much appreciated, especially by me. 

Check back for further updates and remember, spring is just around the corner.

Craig McKee

 

        

 

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June 2, 2007 - To Move a Mountain

Thanks to Gary Bolen of Atlas Resources, Walsh Construction and Shallenburger Trucking for moving a small mountain.  We have about 110 truck-loads of dirt on the Pony Field at Oliver, from the Route 119/Route 51 interchange.  We cannot begin to thank these crews for their work.  The money and time that they saved the league is unbelievable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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  We are still moving forward with the lights on the T-Ball field, even though you might not see physical progress. We're wading through the mandatory red tape of inspections right now.  

Weather permitting and barring any last minute snags, we should move dirt this Saturday for the Pony field. Please give preference to the trucks on Saturday when you are coming in and out of the parking lot.

 I took advantage of Sunday night's rain, and spent most of the day Monday regrading the big field. It's a lot better, but there are some things that I can't fix until the season is over. We'll see how it drains this weekend, as the forecast is for rain Saturday night.

I have the pitching screen from the batting cage to make more permanent repairs, and I'll get it back A.S.A.P.

 Once school is out, I will be looking for a few volunteers to help me do the repairs that are needed at Clark school field. It will be evening work, a few hours at a time. You can call or e-mail me if you are interested.

Craig McKee, committee chairperson

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May 30, 2007

We are still moving forward with the lights on the T-Ball field, even though you might not see physical progress. We're wading through the mandatory red tape of inspections right now.  

Weather permitting and barring any last minute snags, we should move dirt this Saturday for the Pony field. Please give preference to the trucks on Saturday when you are coming in and out of the parking lot.

 I took advantage of Sunday night's rain, and spent most of the day Monday regrading the big field. It's a lot better, but there are some things that I can't fix until the season is over. We'll see how it drains this weekend, as the forecast is for rain Saturday night.

I have the pitching screen from the batting cage to make more permanent repairs, and I'll get it back A.S.A.P.

 Once school is out, I will be looking for a few volunteers to help me do the repairs that are needed at Clark school field. It will be evening work, a few hours at a time. You can call or e-mail me if you are interested.

Craig McKee, committee chairperson

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May 18, 2007

Thanks to our volunteers, Craig and Ted, we have some of the lights up on the T-ball field.  It was a rainy, chilly day but they didn't quit and they got them up.  Frank then ran the electrical for the hook ups...now we are waiting on the other parties to get themselves together so Allegheny Power can come onto the site to get us some power for these lights.
 

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May 14, 2007

Friday the 11th seemed like Friday the 13th for the maintenance crew. We had scheduled 2 bucket trucks to come to the field so we could install the lights on the poles of the T-Ball field. However, one truck never made it due to losing teeth on the turning gear of the bucket assembly, requiring a major repair, and the second truck made it to the field, only to suffer a blown radiator just as we went to install the first light.

 

We have rescheduled the trucks for next Friday, as both trucks should be repaired by then. Your patience is appreciated, as trucks that go that high are not easy to come by, especially within the confines of our budget. However, Duda Wire and Cable and Chad Livingston Construction have both come through for us to make their trucks available so we can get these lights up for as little overall cost as possible.

 

The Township and Fay Penn Economic Development are still trying to work out a suitable property transfer and/or right of way agreement so we may get our electrical service, and so the Township can start construction on the walking track extension before they lose their grant money. All things legal are way more complicated than necessary it seems, and this issue is no different. We are applying as much pressure as we can safely apply, as we want this finished as much as anybody. However, we are not a direct player in that issue, and as such, we have to be careful how we go about pushing the others around. Again, your patience is appreciated.

 

The pictures show the one bucket truck minutes before the radiator let loose, (yes, we will straighten that pole, now that the ground has settled) and the second is my trailer full of lights and supplies.

Craig McKee, committee chairperson