When the Bridgeport Recreation Complex opened in 2012, one of the signature – and unique – pieces of the facility was at the entrance. For anyone that didn’t know they were about to set foot on a baseball complex were reminded by the large baseball that had brick used as part of its configuration along the main entrance.

 

“That design was extremely popular and it was a really good idea to include it in the planning after someone had saw the same design at another complex,” said Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Joe Shuttleworth. “As great as a design as it was, it just didn’t hold up very well.”

Shuttleworth said the area had several issues. Along with it being slippery and having concreate cracking around the blocks, the surface became uneven as water began to get into the openings and the cycle of freeze and thaw does what it often does – create damage.

 

“You had those problems and they were compounded having too much traffic going across it. That created mortar joint issues and you certainly don’t want to have those type of problems in an area that’s your focal point when you enter the complex, but you don’t want to have it in the area that just about everyone has to walk over,” said Shuttleworth.

 

The problem is no longer a problem. In recent days, workers with CTI out of Bridgeport took care of the baseball logo. Shuttleworth said the crews led by owner Scott Kirby have turned the trouble spot into a nice looking spot.

 

“It looks so much better,” said Shuttleworth. “It’s not just a painted on logo. It’s an epoxy type of concrete overlay that’s slip resistant and completely sealed. It’s all level with the rest of the sidewalk as you enter the facility so the problems we’ve had should be eliminated.”

 

Shuttleworth said the repair and replacement work ran roughly $5,000. He said it will greet those using the field and those coming to watch the participants for all the major tournaments and games that will be starting – the first being the McDonald’s High School Baseball Classic – starting April 10. Fairmont State University and the Patriot League have already utilized the field.

 

“That was something we felt we had to address because it truly is such a key feature to the facility. It looks so much better; even the laces look like baseball laces as opposed to where the brick used to be,” said Shuttleworth. “This just takes a really good idea and makes it work better.”