New Madrid completes baseball complex

NEW MADRID - Play ball! Play ball! Play ball! Play ball!

It isn't an echo, it's the sound of the umpires starting games at the four new Little League fields, which officially open for play May 6 following a dedication ceremony.

Nearly two years in the making, the four fields at the Hunter-Dawson Park off Highway U are part of Veterans Field, with each dedicated to local individuals who have played a role in the community, its government, its philanthropies and its youth programs. The fields are named in honor of the late Jimmy Joe Bloomfield, Robert "Bob" Blom, Sam L. Hunter Jr., and Welton and Louise O'Bannon.

City Administrator Furg Hunter also pointed out each of the four men were veterans, further acknowledgement of the overall complex's name.

Overseeing the development of the park, the city manager ensured the four fields met official Little League specifications in size and lighting. It is 200 feet from homeplate to the outfield and 25 feet from the baseline to the foul line.

The complex also includes handicapped accessible bathrooms, a concession stand, paved and marked parking and sidewalks accessing each of the field's bleachers.

This year the fields will be made available to the seven T-ball teams comprised of 5 and 6-year-old youngsters, the six T-ball teams for 7- and 8-year-old children, seven Little League teams (boys ages 9-12), five softball teams made up of girls ages 9-12, the girls softball team for those ages 13 to 15, the girls softball team for those ages 16 to 18, a Junior Babe Ruth Team (for boys ages 13 to 15) and the Senior Babe Ruth Team (for boys 16 to 18). The 29 teams provide summer activities for 399 children from New Madrid and the surrounding area.

The sheer numbers made the fields a necessary addition to the community's parks, Hunter said. Until this year the city only had a T-ball field and two ballfields, which are also shared with the high school athletic teams.

"We had virtually the same number of teams last year and to find time for all of them to practice and play games, we had Little Leaguers getting home after 10 p.m.," said Hunter. "There was never enough time to make up games if some were rained out."

Now with four additional fields as well as the Davis Street ballfields, Hunter said there should be plenty of room for everyone.

Another plus for the entire community, according to Hunter, is the reduction of congestion along Davis Street. "There is a safety aspect. We won't have the parking and congestion on a thoroughfare. The Veterans Park fields will provide a much safer venue for parents, the ballplayers and the children who aren't playing ball."

Paul Northington, New Madrid's league commissioner, said the fields have generated enthusiasm among youngsters and their parents. "Everybody is excited about getting on the fields, every time I turn around they are asking about when we will start play there," said Northington. "Youngsters in the New Madrid County area will get to play on some premier fields. It is something they look forward to."

Construction of the four fields was paid through the city's reserves and cost approximately $150,000. Hunter said he visited other communities, looking at their ball complexes and was told costs could run twice that.

By utilizing city crews, such as the street department to do paving, and the water department to run water and sewer lines, Hunter said costs were kept at a minimum. Also he was pleased at the community's support for the project, noting Kon-Tek assisted with the concession stand and the county provided needed additional dirt which came from a ditch being cleaned.

With only final landscaping to complete before the May 6 dedication, Hunter looks with pride at the new complex. "I think it is first class facility that 400 kids can enjoy - it's for them."