Thanks to donations of time, money and materials from local businesses and parents involved with the booster clubs, the varsity baseball and softball fields at North Hunterdon High School will be brand new for the spring season.
Parents involved with the Baseball and Softball Booster Clubs at North Hunterdon High School knew the fields were in dire need of renovation, from re-grading of the field to new backstops and new batting cages. In fact, a strong downpour could make the baseball field unplayable for the rest of the day. Parents approached coaches and the athletic department to learn the process of how they could help make the renovation a reality.
With guidance from head baseball coach Mike Kane, the North Hunterdon athletic department, and support from the Board of Education, the booster clubs went on to raise $60,000, were able to obtain donated materials and labor from local businesses, and came to an agreement with the district to perform the work and obtain any necessary permits. Leon’s Sod Farm of Pittstown agreed to donate sod for the baseball field, Hunterdon Builders LLC of Flemington donated composite decking for the baseball dugouts, and JMK Builders of Clinton Township repaired the dugouts for the softball and baseball fields free of charge. With the money raised, the booster clubs were able to purchase DuraEdge premium infield soil from Greenpro Materials of Bound Brook and hired Scott Bills of Sports Field Solutions as a consultant for the renovation project. In addition, over 20 parents volunteered their time to help with the renovations.
“We had a group of very motivated parents and the results will show what can happen when a group of individuals all come together with the same goal in mind. These field renovations will benefit every player now and in the future. Our baseball and softball players are very excited to play on the new fields this spring,” said Kane.
Renovations began the first weekend of October and are expected to be completed by mid-November, weather permitting. Renovations included: replacing or repairing the backstops, re-grading the baseball field to maximize drainage, replacing all infield grass on the baseball field, repairing the pitching mound and home plate areas on both fields, replacing infield soil with DuraEdge premium soil, aerating and seeding both outfields, repairing bullpens at softball field, repairing all batting cage areas, and painting and repairing dugouts. Scott Bills will be providing training for the maintenance staff, coaches and players on how to maintain the field and new soil.
The booster clubs are seeking additional donations for further renovations as well as contact information for North Hunterdon Baseball Alumni. If you would like to donate, please send donations to North Hunterdon High School, c/o Mike Kane, 1445 Route 31, Annandale, NJ 08801. If you once played baseball for North Hunterdon, please contact Coach Mike Kane at mkane@nhvweb.net.