City of Rockport | "Local Community and Major Sponsors to Rebuild Memorial Park Ball Fields"
On Saturday, January 13, a collaborative effort to rebuild the Memorial Park ball fields in time for season play will commence at 10 am under the auspices of the City of Rockport’s Parks Department, singer-songwriter Charlie Robison, baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan, and the Sports Turf Management Association. Additionally, a check for $10,000 will be presented to the Rockport-Fulton Little League at 1 pm from Nolan Ryan, the Round Rock Express baseball team, and RS3 Turf Services.
According to Weston Floyd, an athletic field and turf specialist with the University of Texas and a member of the Association, “We know how important baseball is to the youth and we wanted to use our professional talents to overcome the catastrophic damage done to the fields by Hurricane Harvey. We want to help the kids and families of Rockport get back to their lives,” he noted.
Among the many activities to be undertaken that day are the replacement of sod and irrigation, laser grading of the infield, mound rebuilding, and seeding. The work will be undertaken by members of the Association, the Rockport-Fulton Little League, local residents and volunteers from the Houston Astros, Corpus Christi Hooks, City of Grapevine and San Marcos Academy.
Companies providing equipment, products and services include Air2G2, aerification; Sygenta, chemicals; Bayer, Top Choice ant bait; Helena Chemicals, fertilizer; PTP, mowing and field grooming equipment; and Barenburger, rye seed. Also, Sports Field Solutions, infield rebuilding; Harrells, fertilizer and refreshments for volunteers; Winfield Solution, chemicals and financial assistance; Ewing Irrigation, packing clay for rebuilding of mounds; All Season Turf, sod; and Hunter Irrigation, new heads, valves and controllers.
“We are so grateful for Charlie Robison’s vision, fundraising and awareness concerts, and bringing together all of these incredible organizations to help our youth,” said Rick Martinez, the City of Rockport’s Director of Parks and Leisure Services. “This is a herculean task that our local crew wouldn’t have been able to accomplish in time for the beginning of baseball season.
“We’ve always had an active volunteer group when it comes to our Little League and the combined efforts of all of these groups and local residents show how a community can rebuild for the better when we all work together,” he added.
Editor’s Note – Memorial Park is located on FM 2165/Pearl Street east of the Bypass. Work will be taking place at several of the fields throughout the morning. The check presentation will be at the designated Little League field at 1 pm. To get there, enter Memorial Park from 2165. Drive past the covered picnic shelter. On the right you will see two ball fields. As you face them, the Little League field is on the left.