Little League Fields Get Big Upgrade

La Grange Little League recently completed $24,000 worth of renovations at the Little League Fields in town.

“The fields were in really bad shape with erosion,” said La Grange Little League President Jake Kellen. “There were some areas with a three inch lip where the grass and infield meet. Basically, we thought it was unsafe and it’s just not proper for good baseball. We made repairing it one of our goals this year” Kellen said the improvements could not have been completed without the outstanding community support the Little League’s annual crawfish boil fundraiser, which took place last month. The City of La Grange contributed $8,500 towards the project. La Grange Rotaiy Club donated $2,000 towards the renovation project, and Colorado Valley Communications chipped in $1,000 as well.

La Grange Little League hired the company CT Fieldscapes to renovate the peewee and t-ball fields at Kruschel Park along with both fields at White Rock Park.

“They came in and tilled the ground,” Kellen said. “They put down brand new baseball clay and raised the bases so they were level. The fields are awesome. They’re way better.”

Kellen said the softball fields recently received new fencing and flag poles at each field, and there are more projects in the queue including grass work.

“Field maintenance is never ending, and thanks to all our sponsors and supporters, we plan to keep it going so the kids of La Grange have a good place to play baseball and softball,” Kellen said.

The first Little League games of the season are set for this Thursday, March 21, weather permitting. The official opening day ceremonies will take place on Saturday, April 6, at 9 a.m. at the Fayette County Fairgrounds. Former University of Texas and Minor League pitcher Kenn Kasparek will throw the first pitch. Layne Schramml, pitcher on the 2001 Leopards State Champ team, will catch the first pitch.