Volunteer Opportunities

We are so fortunate to have received $30,0000 grant money from the Twins Community fund to be able to make these improvements for girls to play on for many years!  And fortunate for the collaboration of everyone else that supported this grant application not only in written support, but also financial support.

For the better part of the last 9 months a committee made up of RAAA members, school building & maintenance personnel, school coaches & the athletic director have been meeting to create a long term, big picture plan for the softball pinwheel.  In order to wisely spend any money on the pinwheel it was extremely important that a complete plan be created.

Key points around this project:

1.  As many items as possible are being reused.
2.  Volunteer labor is being asked for to help stretch the dollars as far as possible.
3.  Discounts have been secured from vendors where ever possible.
4.  The existing dugouts on the varsity field will remain in place.
5.  Everything that is being done fits into the long term plan for the upper complex.  Nothing is being done on a short term (or “throw away”) basis.

Below is the project list.

Varsity softball field:

The existing dugouts are staying however, there are a few safety related improvements being made. The fencing in front of the dugouts is being raised from 5′ to 8′ high.

The existing hood on the backstop is being removed (the part of the backstop that hangs over the field at the top) & it will be replaced with taller poles & netting to help try & keep more foul balls from heading into the fans.  The hood is being reused over on the middle school field.  Whenever multiple games are being hosted, foul balls from one field present a danger to fans watching another game.  This higher netting will reduce the number of foul balls send up and over the backstop.

There will also be holes drilled within the back of the dugout block work to allow the water that currently collects & sits on the dugouts floor all summer long to drain.  Currently it is eroding the block & concrete.  It is also a safety issue.

2 foul poles will be added to the field.

JV softball field:

The existing field is moving/being realigned to allow for more room within the center of the pinwheel for future plans.  The reused outfield fence is being set to match the Varsity outfield fence distance.  Currently it is set much deeper than Varsity’s, the new distance will fall within the Minnesota State High School League guidelines.

2 dugouts will be built.  These dugouts are being constructed to last & look good for many years to come with little to no maintenance & tie into the existing dugouts visually.

2 foul poles will be added to the field.

Field #3:

The infield grass & mound will be removed & install aglime to create another useable field.

General:

There will be quick connects installed on the existing irrigation system.  This will be used to connect garden hoses to the irrigation system so that the infield can be watered down as needed.

Synthetic turf:    The school became aware of some synthetic turf (available for free) the city of Plymouth was removing from a dome.  Several rolls of turf were picked up, to be used in various spots.  Within the softball pinwheel the existing batting cage will now have turf.  Drastically reducing maintenance within the batting cage.

The long term plan includes a building for the center of the pinwheel, (to be used for concessions, storage, and restrooms), dugouts on the remaining fields, fencing on field 3, as well as other items.  The project list above is an attempt to spend the grant money in a way to make as many improvements as possible in the near term, yet compatible with long term plans.  Other needs include improvements to the site access, parking lot, and trail.  Many of these items are well outside of the financial resources that the grant provided at this time.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to email or call Michelle Byers.  (byers@rockfordball.com or 952-239-2242)