Thanks to funding from the city of Tucson's Parks and Recreation Department and another $5,000 from Fox Sports Network, Little Leaguers have a safer place to play ball.
Western Little League, a branch of Little League International — a worldwide organization — has about 35 teams made up of boys ages 5 to 16 that play at Joaquin Murrieta Park, 1400 N. Silverbell Road. It is the only official league that uses the baseball fields there.
Altogether, the city Parks and Recreation Department provided $20,000. Crews from the city worked on the field for about two weeks and finished in late March.
Workers replaced dangerous fencing, planted new grass and leveled the field.
Other money was used to build a new playground near the remodeled baseball field.
"These fences were older than sin, and us," said Joe Luna, field manager of Western League. "Safety levels have gone up 1,000 percent. The fences had jagged, sharp edges and the kids were often cut. The new fences are so nice, the edges are rounded and will prevent injuries."
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"We are so happy with all of the changes," said Carmelita Castillo, president of Western Little League. "The children are safer, the field looks nicer and it's just more fun."
The ryegrass also serves as a safety feature.
"It is softer when the kids fall and it also looks and feels nicer," said Karen Larkin, superintendent for the Parks and Recreation Department's Northwest District.
"We hope the kids will get an overall sense of pride playing on the new ball field. I know it's not the major leagues or anything, but it's nice and neat and shows the kids that this is serious and we care."
Robert Gamez has managed the Yankees, a Western Little League team, for two years.
"I'm glad they leveled out the playing field. Before, we had a lot of bad bounces, but now they are nice and clean," he said while taking a break from coaching the team. But he got back to the practice game right away: "Nice catch. That's ESPN material, boys."
Gamez's 11-year-old son, Raymond, is on his team and loves the changes because he can now hit or catch potential home runs. The back fence used to be about 18 feet tall; now it's about 4 feet.
"It's cool — now we can rob home," Raymond said.
A $70,000 shaded playground is being installed next to the remodeled ball field. It is designed to boost agility, strength and balance for 7- to 14-year-olds.
"It isn't your typical playground with swings and slides," Larkin said. "There are machines where they have to get across without touching the ground. They have to wiggle, shimmy and use their upper-body strength to get through the 20 pieces of equipment."
The playground is the first of its kind in the city's parks. The money was allocated by the City Council. It is partially done, but workers are waiting for a new canopy because the original was torn during installation; the company doing the work is paying for its replacement. Construction should be completed in the next couple of weeks.
"It will help kids with health and fitness and it's just fun," Larkin said. "Change is good."
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