New fundraiser announced for baseball field
An additional fundraising effort is underway to help renovate the Tuscora Park baseball field. The For the Love of the Game committee, which includes organizers Kelly Ricklic and Tom Farbizo, announced the Turf to Play opportunity, which will help fund the infield turf installation portion of phase one of the project, set at a cost of $350,000.
Turf to Play allows contributors to sponsor a 2-by-2-foot square of turf to be installed on the infield for $100. Squares within the logo are $200; coach, batter or catcher boxes are $500 a piece; and squares including a base, the pitcher’s rubber or home plate are $1,000 each.
Plans are to have the infield turf installation completed for the 2025 baseball season; however, necessary funds are needed by Aug. 1. This would assure completion by the contractor in time for next year’s baseball season.
Those interested in sponsoring can call Ricklic at 330-364-2771 or Farbizo at 330-340-7591 or email turftuscoradiamond@gmail.com. Donations should be made payable to The Tuscora Park Foundation, 161 Tuscora Ave. NW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.
Phase one in the effort to renovate the Tuscora Park baseball field into a state-of-the-art baseball complex continues. To date, the committee has raised just over $250,000 through community contributions and grants, which has helped pay for the installation of a new scoreboard, black vinyl outfield fencing and a windscreen in center field. The next items to be completed in this phase include a new backstop, dugouts, the relocation of two existing lights and installation of new infield turf.
Following phase one completion, phase two includes adding a seating area for viewing, restrooms, a press box that includes a sound system and a concession stand. Phase three features constructing a maintenance/community center and finishing the lighting upgrade. The final phase is to install outfield turf.
“The goal of this project is to create a desirable baseball complex for local athletes to use while also designing a space that can be enjoyed by community members of all ages, with low-key maintenance in mind,” Ricklic said.
“We feel that a more flexible complex would maximize the use of the baseball field at Tuscora Park while also helping to showcase area youth and athletes in our community,” Farbizo said.
Plans for the renovation have been in the works since 2015.
In addition to Ricklic and Farbizo, other committee members include Ed Marsh, Ed Breehl, Mitch Pace, Jeff Miller, Sharon Ricklic and Jolene Otte. Chris Bower and Brian Stull from Diversified Engineering are the engineering consultants.
Visit www.facebook.com/turftuscoradiamond.
