With the start of youth baseball just around the corner in Bridgeport, the reality of not having the use of the two field where the new Johnson Elementary School will be built may not have yet set in. However, with earth due to be broken in the next couple of months those involved with the youth programs know the fields have already seen their last action.

 

That’s the bad news. The good news is that plans for two new youth fields to be open at the Bridgeport Recreation Complex in time for the season appear to be on schedule.  The fields, which saw work begin late last summer and into the early fall with drainage and the placement of sod, are entering the next more critical phase.

 

Earlier this past week, poles were set for fencing and concrete was poured for their foundation as well as for the new dugouts that will be put in place. Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Joe Shuttleworth said that things are progressing nicely.

 

“The company that won the bid for the fencing, Alco, has been on site and continuing to do work with the two fields that will replace the fields at the Johnson Elementary site,” said Shuttleworth. “Things are progressing as we hoped.”

 

Alco was one of three companies that bid on the job. They won with a low bid of $35,882.

 

Prior to Alco arriving, P&R staff laid out the infield and marked the bases and foul lines. From those markings, measurements were made to allow for Alco to properly locate the fences.

 

“They took our plans from those measurements, augured the poles and set them prior to the concrete pouring. Once everything is done, the pole will be settled and leveled,” said Shuttleworth. “The next step to the process is to hang the fencing.”

 

The fields are being designed to replicate the fields along Johnson Avenue. That includes the same type of backstops and dugouts and the same shared outfield in the area where the second multi-purpose field is located. The baseball fields are situated at the end of the second field.

 

The field closest to the roadway is what Shuttleworth calls the t-ball field. The backstop on the t-ball field will only be 15 feet tall since pitching is not done in that venue. On the field closest to Route 131, the “c-ball field,” there will be 30 feet tall backstops that will be similar to the baseball fields at the wagon wheel set up at the Rec Complex.

 

With the poles up and the sod having taken hold, the surface itself looks ready to go. However, action can’t begin until the fencing, dugouts and even some other amenities are officially put into place.

 

“Our staff will put the roofs on the dugouts, but have to wait for the poles to be set,” said Shuttleworth. “We also have to do things such landscaping, adding trash cans, storage facilities and we have also budgeted money for bleachers.”

 

Right now, there are no plans in place for any type of removable fence to be used during games in the outfield. Shuttleworth said mesh fencing that could be put up and removed daily could be utilized in the future. However, that won’t be taking place this year.

 

Editor's Note: Workers with Alco set poles Monday of this past week as part of the prep work for the new fields.