An Opening Day event took place Thursday, April 5, to celebrate the completion of the complex expansion. High school baseball and softball players paraded onto Field 5 before Wicomico County Recreation, Parks & Tourism Director Steve Miller spoke about the project.
“Over the last year and a half, we have invested over 3 million dollars in this facility, renovating this field that you’re on, building brand new fields and adding many other park amenities to make this the best baseball/softball facility in the state of Maryland, and arguably in the region,” Miller said.
As part of the expansion, three new baseball/softball fields were created, bringing the complex’s total to eight diamonds, and one of the existing fields – Field 5, where the Opening Day ceremony was held – was rebuilt to feature a synthetic turf infield. The new fields also have synthetic turf infields.
Six of the fields at the complex are lighted, and two have a new press box and scoreboard. Among the other amenities are concession stands and batting cages. The complex is home to community recreation programs as well as events such as the United States Specialty Sports Association Eastern National Championships and a new Youth Baseball Nationals tournament coming to the facility this year.
After Culver’s first pitch on Thursday, high school baseball and softball teams played games on six of the fields.
In addition to the more than $30 million economic impact of national events, Miller said there will be plenty of opportunities for local residents to use the fields, including for high school and Eastern Shore Baseball League games, along with youth and adult softball and adult kickball.
“We’re just so thrilled to be able to offer this to the citizens as a benefit to our community,” Miller said.
To learn more about the Henry S. Parker Athletic Complex, visit www.WicoSports.org.
Photo Caption: Wicomico County Executive Bob Culver throws the ceremonial first pitch at Henry S. Parker Athletic Complex Opening Day. Also pictured are Wicomico County Recreation Superintendent James Simmons and Wicomico County Recreation, Parks & Tourism Director Steve Miller.
Photo by Earl Campbell.
10 comments:
That is nice but only limited citizens can make use of this facility. That is to say you can not gather 18 kids and go out their to play ball, it is reserved for only the county reconised youth ball clubs. So only those who can afford to have their children play on these teams get to use the fields for a few months out of the year. Just try and take your kids their to practice playing ball.
There and their sound the same. Not interchangeable.
8:07 AM - The ballfields are owned by Wicomico County. Wicomico County's assets belong to Wicomico County taxpayers. Put pressure on the County Executive and these fields may be more accessible than you might imagine.
The fields are used for scheduled games, and if the roster is full, then no, you can't use them; they are reserved. If not rostered for that day, I'm sure calling Steve Miller's office to ask permission would be greeted politely. You can't just walk on the field and bully your way on, is all.
Get a life 8:35. I noticed this also, but I don't feel superior to anyone.
If it wasn't restricted you all would complain about African American kids out there and people that are hoodlums and all the things you closed minded people seem to comment about.
11:32...thx for smackin' that pretentious ace....
11:32 That is because you aren't.
1:42 You dun gradgeeated 9th grade twice, right?
There - refers to a location
Their- possesive, belonging to
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