NOTICE: BHS Coach Robert Shields has confirmed that today's games at home with Lewis County has been moved from its original 4:30 p.m. starting time to 5:30 p.m. As mentioned, yesterday's postponed games have makeup dates with BHS hosting Lincoln on May 4 at 4:30p.m. and Robert C. Byrd later that night at 7 p.m.

 

 

Problems with getting grass to grow at the Bridgeport High School baseball field along with what is a relatively hard infield playing surface should soon be a thing of the past. In fact, it could be a thing of the past as early as Wednesday.

 

On Monday, work was being done – led by parent athletic booster Paul Smith – to install at sprinkler system that will hopefully put the above problems to bed once and for all. Smith was joined by several workers, along with Indians Coach Robert Shields Monday afternoon as work was in full swing.

 

“We’ve fundraised and did some things to allow us to get this sprinkler system in here to address those problems, as well as have dust control on the dirt part and we should have plenty of grass growing water for the rest of the area,” said Smith. “The area covered should go to at least halfway into the outfield.”

This culminates a project that began two years ago with the installation of an irrigation system into the field. Along with that, most recently a two-inch water line was taken to the system to help get it set for use and the sprinkler heads were being installed this week.

 

“This is part of a project that will end up costing $16,000. As Paul mentioned, we’ve done fundraising, primarily the golf tournaments, to make this happen,” said Shields.

 

For those heading to the field today or who were there yesterday, they may have been concerned by several large holes and what appear to be survey flags. The work appears, at the moment, to be something that could delay playing action.

 

Shields said that’s not going to be the case. Although the field was not playable Monday, he said it will be playable today. Bridgeport visited Preston on Monday and was set to host Lincoln at 4:30 p.m. and Robert C. Byrd at 7 p.m. today.

 

“You’ll hardly know that they were even in here,” said Shields of the contractors. “The workers will be in the area overnight, will get up early and then take care of the rest of the work.”

 

Smith said the system could be operational as soon as today, but more than likely Wednesday. The work, however, should be done by 3 p.m., which will give both teams time to warm up today.
 

Editor's Note: Paul Smith, left in top photo, talks with BHS Coach Robert Shield about the new sprinkler and irrigation system that is finally set to go on line. Bottom photo shows a worker walking past one of many large holes around the field.