Memorial Field of Dreams

If you have ever seen Albany’s Junior Varsity softball team practicing, you would know that practices are not held on the diamond at Memorial Park. Having only one softball field and fielding varsity and J.V. teams has been problematic in the past, especially since Little League Baseball kicks the girls off the field at 5:00 p.m.

“Time restrictions and sharing the field with Little League have caused the J.V. team to compromise by playing on the grass,” said varsity softball coach Stephanie Vasarhely. “Practicing on grass is unrealistic, but there is no place else to go. How can we have two competitive teams?”

However, the current project that has left Memorial Field piled with dirt is looking promising for both softball teams.

The project was proposed two years ago, and has been in the planning stages since. It will change the park drastically. A new irrigation system, batting cages, stands, dugouts, a safer B.B.Q. area, and most importantly, a second field, is costing the City of Albany a whopping $1 million.

Measure S, state funds, and an organization known as Stop Waste are paying for the field improvements.

Rain has put a damper on the softball season, especially in the past two years. Not only have our softball teams put up with conflicts with Little League, they have also dealt with a huge safety issue during practices and home games: the condition of the field.

The poor quality of the park’s irrigation and drainage system left the field in a muddy state after the slightest amount of rain.When asked why the new irrigation system would be important, coach Vasarhely responded, “Oh my gosh, are you kidding? We don’t have to play in grass that is one and a half feet high during rain.”

However, as with any other construction project there are concerns. Albany Public Works employee, Anna Bernardes worries that the project might not be done in time for the 2007 spring season. “After the construction is complete, the field cannot be used for another ninety days,” said Bernardes.

There is also a question of how much time the softball teams are going to get to play on the field. Cougar Field, the home field for the Albany Baseball team is also under construction and there are worries that they might not have a place to practice.

Coach Vasarhely hopes that the field will be done in time and that both softball teams will get good use out of it. “We are just crossing our fingers,” Vasarhely said.

3 Responses

1. 6:54 PM on September 28th, 2007esperanza munoz:

   uhhhhh basically i was there when you edited the photo and this came out great! kudos!

2. 4:56 PM on September 29th, 2007amanda stevens:

   fabulous ma!!! i think ive heard this somewhere before??? ne ways see you at home. congrats!

3. 9:59 AM on October 1st, 2007hannah:

   it better be done in time!

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