Approval was given for construction of a baseball / softball field at the high school campus by the California R-I School Board. The decision was made after discussion at the regular board meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
The new facility will be one field, a multi-use facility with a temporary fence for the softball field. The new field will be located midway between the agriculture building and the weight room on the high school campus with the outfield extending south.
The new field will have have a turf infield, a block backstop and netting system and block dugouts. Plans are to begin construction in January. The basic field could be completed by early March, weather permitting. Additional monies will be needed for completion of the facility, to include lighting, fencing, dugouts, sod, irrigation, an entryway and other items needed to complete the facility needs. Ground post-sockets will be placed in the outfield to allow for easier placement of the fence for softball, since the softball outfield is shorter than the baseball outfield area.
After the spring baseball season ends, the temporary fence will be put up for summer softball practice and the fall games.
Beginning the project is possible because of an apparent surplus of nearly $300,000 from the April Bond Issue funds. With the projects on the approved list nearing completion, a subcommittee of board members set out last month to prioritize a list of additional projects which could utilize the funds. The project selected was the baseball / softball field. The board believes it will save on transportation and increase safety to have the games played at the high school. With the addition of this field, it is expected to bring most of the school-related activities to one location on the high school campus. According to Superintendent Dwight Sanders, the baseball / softball field was bid at the same time as the football field as an alternate project to determine the projected cost. The idea was to start the project at a time when the district could pursue it. The surplus funds allow work to begin quickly. ATG, St. Louis, same company which built the football field, was the low bidder at that time, and will be contractor on this project also.
In addition, California Construction has agreed to purchase a new scoreboard for the new field.
In another construction project, the board accepted a bid for a storm water drainage project at the new Riley Field. Carpenter Construction Services, Clarksburg, the low bidder, was selected from the four bids received. The need for this project became obvious as the football field and parking lot work were completed and water drainage was found to be a problem.
The Board also approved the MSHSAA Dead Week for June 27-July 5. This Dead Week will be for all activities and athletics during this period of time and is required by MSHSAA to be nine days, from a Saturday through the following Sunday. No events or practices should be planned during this time.
In another sports-related decision, the board voted unanimously to approve the recommendation to hire Darrell Bolin as Head Girls Softball Coach for the 2015 season. The school is still in need of an assistant softball coach.