The president of the Warriors Mark Little League approached township supervisors on Tuesday evening, during public comment, seeking financial assistance for improvements to the upper field which is used for practices.
“There are now five teams which are using the field because of growth in the township,” said James Dorminy. “There is only one field, and we need help, but we also understand the field is used for soccer and want to see it improved for them as well.
“We contacted State Representative Larry Sather and he said there is no state funding available,” said Dorminy. “We need money both short and long term.”
Township solicitor Larry Clapper suggested money could be available through the county and suggested little league officials should contact the recreation department for the county to see if grant money was available.
Supervisor Stewart Neff indicated some money was available from the township and supervisors had also received a request from the Grier School for help with the field for soccer purposes.
The upper field located near the old school in the township is actually owned by Warriors Mark and used by different organizations. Dorminy indicated the infield was in disrepair and about $500 worth of sand would be needed to correct the situation.
Supervisor Don Bickle suggested the amount requested might not be enough and asked if one load of sand would do the job. Dorminy said he wasn’t sure and Bickle suggested more than $500 be made available.
Eventually, his motion called for $1,200 to be given to the little league to purchase the sand or one-inch diamond dust and possibly to use any remaining money for other expenses. Supervisors approved the motion unanimously and Neff instructed Dorminy to work with supervisor Rodney Marshall on the matter.
Dorminy indicated the field needed to be dragged and he had made arrangements to have that work completed. Supervisors also asked for the parking area to be cleaned up on a regular basis by having garbage removed from it.
The township also contracts and pays for outside sources to have the fields mowed on a regular basis. Little league officials asked supervisors if the field could be mowed even more often than in the past. Neff asked little league officials to provide them with a schedule so things could be coordinated a little better but couldn’t promise the fields would mowed more often this year.
“We’re happy with what the township was able to offer,” said Dorminy. “Practices are already underway, and games will be getting started very soon with little league starting on April 19.
“Any funding is helpful, and we are looking into long-term funding too since we are looking to make enhancements to the lower field next year.”
Neff said baseball, soccer and other recreation is also a part of the township’s long-term plans.
