From the Bench: BHS Athletic Director Sears Provides Details on Next Planned Sports Infrastructure Project
By Jeff Toquinto on November 03, 2024 from Sports Blog
Two weeks ago, in this very blog, I mentioned that Bridgeport High School Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Tom Sears would be discussing additional projects that will likely be taking place, or planning on taking place, on the athletic front.
The latest?
“What we hope to, and we’re currently working with various vendors to look to get started, is to try and do an overall upgrade to the softball facility,” said Sears.
For those who do not follow softball, they may not be aware that, yes, Bridgeport High School has its own softball field. It is directly behind Bridgeport Middle School, and it is utilized by the high school as well as student-athletes at BMS.
And while the field is far from being in a state of disrepair, it needs a little bit of makeover and other upgrades. Sears is hoping that will be worked out prior to the start of the 2025 campaign.
“We’re looking at things like a windscreen on the outfield fence, new fence caps, backstop padding that’s branded, and a lot more,” said Sears.
Some of the “more” would include updating and painting both the home team’s dugout as well as the dugout for those who visit the field.
“We’ll be looking at making the dugouts nicer,” said Sears. “We may even put padding across the bottom that says, ‘Roll Tribe’ or something of that nature.”
One of the newer features at the field is the batting cage that is directly behind the dugout on the first base side of the field. It, too, may 
see an addition. Sears said a wind screen is being looked at to put around that facility as well.
see an addition. Sears said a wind screen is being looked at to put around that facility as well.
“We want to make the field, the facilities on the field, look cosmetically better,” said Sears. “We plan on doing it in a way that will be welcoming to the visitors to our city and the schools.”
The welcome could mean a change to the main sign, or even an addition, leading to the field. Sears said it would be as simple as saying “Welcome to the Home of the Lady Indians and Lady Brave.”
While the items listed above are cosmetic in nature, one of the critical things will involve work that will help with the field’s drainage. Much like the other issues, the drainage is not a problem, but it could be better. And there are plans to improve that to allow for as much usage as possible.
“We are hoping to work with a company to do some laser grading of the field,” said Sears. “It will make the fields more playable and available for more innings.
“When you don’t have water laying you won’t have as many cancelations,” he continued. “That alone will be a huge improvement.”
Laser grading is not new to the city. Bridgeport Parks and Recreation has utilized the method to make sure their fields, primarily that at The Bridge, are at the property angled needed to keep field in top playing shape for as long as possible. The Bridgeport High School baseball team has also done laser grading on its facility in the past under Coach Robert Shields.
“Even without what we’re planning, that field is pretty resilient,” said Sears. “What’s unique is the cancelations we dealt with last were not because of water in the outfield, but because of water in the infield,” said Sears. “That tells us it’s time to let the professionals look at it along with us doing grading and new infield mix. All of that should really improve things and stop from having water lay on the infield.”
Sears said that branding, painting, windscreens, and things of that nature can be done relatively quickly. He said he hopes to have a better idea of the laser grading and time needed soon.
“Barring something unusual, I do not see anything preventing us from utilizing the field by the time things get started late in March,” said Sears. “We fully hope and believe everything will be done if we move ahead with our plan by the time the season opens up. We also hope everyone will notice the investment that is planning on being made and will be proud of it.”
Editor's Note: Top two photos show the corner of the dugout on the first base side and the fence cap in the same area. Bottom image shows the field with a little bit of offseason growth that will likely be laser graded.
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