Photo by Meghan Erkkinen
THE NEW YOUTH BASEBALL FIELD WILL SOON BE COMPLETED. One of the unexpected obstacles while constructing the field was a mole, which made mounds of dirt in the infield.
The Puyallup Tribe is nearing completion on a new youth baseball facility on Levee Road. The field is expected to be completed by the end of September, according to Debbie Sharp, who works with construction services.
The four acres of space is located next to the Tribal Youth Center. Crews still need to irrigate the field and plant grass seed, and bleachers have to be installed.
“Hopefully, next year the facility can use the ball field,” Debbie Sharp commented.
She originally proposed the ballfield in June as a way to give children activities to do during events such as barbecues that are held at the facility. Debbie Sharp originally asked for a more expensive, permanent ballfield.
The Tribe opted instead for a less-expensive, temporary ballfield that cost significantly less – about $200,000, Sharp said.
“I’m hoping we can get a lot of use out of it,” Debbie Sharp remarked. “It was really important for council to do this for kids…I’m hoping the park will be ready for use by next spring.”
Before the Tribe approved the new ballfield, one already existed on the property. A second backstop was added so two games could go on at once.
The Tribal Youth Center will purchase equipment such as catcher’s gear, balls and bats to go along with the field.
Lucia Earl Mitchell of the Tribal Youth Center said the new field will give children more opportunities to play baseball.
“We had a few baseball teams this summer, and we had nowhere to play,” she noted. “We should have been able to invite (other teams) to our own field. It’s going to be nice to have our own field and schedule tournaments,” she added.
The Youth Center will also use the field for other activities as well as team practices, such as kickball, flag football and soccer, Lucia Earl Mitchell said.
Debbie Sharp said she is still determining how much it will cost to maintain the facility. The field is located at 5803 N. Levee Rd.
