By Bruce Rolfe
While the Climax-Scotts varsity baseball team enjoyed its first game playing on the newly renovated Robert L. Weessies Jr. Field May 23, a large crowd that attended the game was also impressed with the field.
The renovated field is part of a $16.2 million bond project approved by C-S School District voters for district-wide improvements.
The C-S baseball team has had to play all of its “home” games at Bailey Park while renovations took place at Robert L. Weessies Jr. Field.
After the renovation process on the baseball field came to a close, the baseball team enjoyed some practices on the new field, however the final regular season game against Galesburg-Augusta was a scheduled road game.
When G-A Athletic Director Mike Woodard learned there was a good possibility C-S’ newly renovated baseball field would be available by the May 23 game, he suggested the Cross River Rivalry game be played at C-S instead of at G-A, allowing the C-S seniors to play their last home game on the new field.
A new softball field was also part of the bond project, however it is not finished and the C-S girls will begin play on their new field next year.
Many visitors admired the renovated field and had positive feedback.
“I’m very happy with what I’ve seen. I like the edges and how they angled the corners in a little bit so spectators have a little nicer view and they got the bullpens right there. They thought through a lot of stuff. First class all the way,” said 1970 C-S graduate Gary Longman, who remembers when he played the infield was all dirt.
A completely new infield, new dugouts and press box, new bullpens and batting cage areas, a cement walk way around the field leading up to the new softball field and an impressive brick backstop area are some of the featured improvements. The configuration from right field to center field was turned into more of a straight line instead of a curve, providing more room for the new softball field next to the baseball field.
“This is beautiful. Very proud of what they have to show off to teams that come in here. And it’s so much nicer now that they’ve brought the softball field up (next to the baseball field),” adds Longman.
While the Climax-Scotts varsity baseball team enjoyed its first game playing on the newly renovated Robert L. Weessies Jr. Field May 23, a large crowd that attended the game was also impressed with the field.
The renovated field is part of a $16.2 million bond project approved by C-S School District voters for district-wide improvements.
The C-S baseball team has had to play all of its “home” games at Bailey Park while renovations took place at Robert L. Weessies Jr. Field.
After the renovation process on the baseball field came to a close, the baseball team enjoyed some practices on the new field, however the final regular season game against Galesburg-Augusta was a scheduled road game.
When G-A Athletic Director Mike Woodard learned there was a good possibility C-S’ newly renovated baseball field would be available by the May 23 game, he suggested the Cross River Rivalry game be played at C-S instead of at G-A, allowing the C-S seniors to play their last home game on the new field.
A new softball field was also part of the bond project, however it is not finished and the C-S girls will begin play on their new field next year.
Many visitors admired the renovated field and had positive feedback.
“I’m very happy with what I’ve seen. I like the edges and how they angled the corners in a little bit so spectators have a little nicer view and they got the bullpens right there. They thought through a lot of stuff. First class all the way,” said 1970 C-S graduate Gary Longman, who remembers when he played the infield was all dirt.
A completely new infield, new dugouts and press box, new bullpens and batting cage areas, a cement walk way around the field leading up to the new softball field and an impressive brick backstop area are some of the featured improvements. The configuration from right field to center field was turned into more of a straight line instead of a curve, providing more room for the new softball field next to the baseball field.
“This is beautiful. Very proud of what they have to show off to teams that come in here. And it’s so much nicer now that they’ve brought the softball field up (next to the baseball field),” adds Longman.
Pictured is a view of some of the large crowd that attended the first game played at the renovated Robert L. Weessies Jr. Field at C-S Jr./Sr. High School.
(Photo by Bruce Rolfe)
The improvements and renovated field also impressed players from both C-S and G-A who got the first opportunity to play a game on the field.
“It’s really nice. Having the new dugouts, especially. The old dugouts were pretty rough. They’ve really done a number on this place. It’s amazing. I love it,” said G-A senior Ashton Matrau, who transferred to G-A from C-S for his senior year.
“I just love that we’re actually playing on it. It looks really nice compared to what it was before. The dugouts are new. The grass. The infield used to be a little rough but now it looks a lot nicer. I’m glad we got to play on it,” adds C-S senior Gavin Eyre.
Eyre said it meant a lot to him and the other seniors on the team to play their last home game on the renovated field in front of a large crowd.
“It was really special for me and the team. I loved seeing all the people come out and support us. I wish we could have got the win and won it for them. But it was just an awesome experience. I loved it,” said Eyre.
There was also a feeling of being extremely thankful in the C-S dugout for Woodard’s recommendation to have the game played at C-S and G-A coach Tim Prince for agreeing to the suggestion.
“It was awesome. I just want to say thank you so much. He (Woodard) didn’t have to do that. He could have said no, we’re playing at home. We played there (at C-S) last year. But he let us seniors get one game in and it was awesome,” said Eyre.
“We’re just blessed to be here. Thanks to the community. Thanks to Doug Newington, our superintendent, and the (school) board. And thanks to Galesburg-Augusta because it doesn’t happen unless they’re willing to give up a home game. So it was beautiful,” adds C-S coach Kevin Langs.
