When California baseball fans arrived March 14 at the baseball stadium for the California Jamboree, they noticed new seats.
The California baseball/softball booster club came together and installed stadium seating on the lower level of the field. The new seating will allow fans to have a "big league" feel of the softball or baseball game while making better use of the lower level seating area.
Every year, the booster club discusses any needs and upgrades of the softball/baseball field and program. This year, members suggested installing stadium seats on the lower level and selling the seats for an additional fee, allowing parents to purchase a seat for the entire baseball and softball season.
The new seats allow more people to sit on the lower level compared to people using lawn chairs. Another benefit of the seating is that it provides a way to raise funds for the combined booster club, which continues to support the maintenance of, and upgrades for, the complex.
Brad Berendzen, president of the combined baseball/softball booster club, attended the January school board meeting to bring the proposal of the seating before the board. The project would not cost the California school board a dime and would be a significant upgrade to the current complex. After discussion and further information provided to the school board at the district's request, the approval was given to move forward with the installation.
With the approval, Berendzen moved forward, working with a stadium seat company to purchase the seats. With the help of the school, the seats were shipped and unloaded. Installation was completed March 12.
Nicole Hallford, vice president of the baseball/softball booster club, and Kelly Combs, secretary of the club, were tasked with developing the stadium seating process and the stadium seat contract. Combs and Tammy Kilmer, treasurer of the club, took the lead on taking the seat reservations and collecting the payments and contracts.
Seats were offered to family members of the 2023 baseball roster first. Once family members had reserved the number of seats they needed for themselves and extended family members, all school staff and school board members were given the chance to reserve seats as well. Finally, the general public was given the chance to reserve any remaining seats.
Only a handful of seats remain available at this time, mainly on the third-base line. To reserve any of the remaining seats, contact Kilmer or Combs.
Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller — A sign seen March 18 on the lower tier of California High School's baseball/softball facility denotes the new reserved seating installed over the winter. The facility also got new aluminum bleachers and an improved backstop.
Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller — New seating and an improved backstop are seen March 18 at California High School's baseball and softball facility. In addition to new aluminum bleachers for most spectators, parents of baseball and softball players will now be able to watch their children play in comfort with stadium-style seating that can be reserved through the baseball and softball booster clubs.