By MOLLIE BROWN / Community Columnist

Calera Middle School’s head baseball coach, Colby Coursey, is seeking help to ready the baseball field for game season which begins Feb. 21.

The school is not convenient to Oliver Park to utilize its amenities, so repairs to the ball field are under way.

“All the athletic fields are in bad shape because they’ve not been used for several seasons,” Coursey said. “The baselines are covered in grass. The outfield fence has to be brought in to meet specific dimensions. The concession stand must be updated to meet health department standards and the bathrooms and locker room need sprucing up.”

When the middle school moved to its campus, Coursey received $2,000 for purchasing equipment, field upkeep and paying officials — players pay for uniforms. He plans to supplement that with game admissions and concessions revenue — that is if the field is ready to host home games.

Coursey is holding Saturday workdays to make the improvements. Sunbelt Equipment donated an auger for planting the new fence posts, parents and players have pressure-washed the dugouts, framed a batting cage and remodeled the concession stand and locker room.

Coursey is in immediate need of cable and netting for the batting cage, a turf cutter and brick sand for baselines, a trencher to install an irrigation system and pole lighting for night games. His long-range plan includes building a clubhouse on to the back of the home dugout.

A way to generate money for these things is the Homerun Club. “The support of the community and local businesses is a necessary component to the success of our athletic program,” Coursey said. “The Homerun Club contributions help pay for officials, equipment, uniforms, pre-game meals, travel and other operating expenses of the team.”

Anyone who donates $200 will be recognized before every game and receive 3×6 sign advertisement on the outfield fence, unless they want to remain anonymous. The sign will be stored at the end of the season, second year membership and after is $120.

If you are interested in Homerun Club membership or donating another amount, contribute project materials or sign-up for a workday, contact Coursey at 682-6140 or CCoursey@Shelbyed.k12.al.us.

 

Mollie Brown is a business columnist for the Shelby County Reporter. She can be reached at dmjhb1@bellsouth.net.