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Date: 9/6/2022
SPRINGFIELD – Springfield resident Mark Frodema looked out the expanse of green in the center of Forest Park and spoke about the conditions of the ballfields there.
He noted there are ruts and places where “all of the dirt has been washed away.” He added there are not working water fountains in the park.
He asserted that American Legion baseball teams “avoid [the field] like the plague” because of its conditions.
Frodema has spearheaded a new effort to raise funds to help restore the baseball fields as well as the Walker Grandstand. On Aug. 25, the first step in the fundraising effort was kicked off with a $1,000 donation from Golden Years Home Care Services. The president and CEO of the business, Cesar Ruiz, explained he made the donation because he has “lots of memories growing up in the neighborhood.”
About 20 people gathered on the park that day to support the effort.
Frodema said he started thinking about the conditions of the about three months ago and sent a letter to city officials. He noted the stadium has been cleaned but there much work left to do.
“I just want to fix it,” he said.
There will be a fundraiser for the “Field of Dreams” on Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. at the Springfield Lodge of Elks on Tiffany Street with a $20 donation.
Frodema has also announced on the campaign’s Facebook page, “Pioneer Valley Window Cleaning (PVWC) and Forest Park Field of Dreams are joining forces to help make safe baseball fields in Springfield a reality. Giving is not just about making a donation it’s about making a difference. Any member of our Field of Dreams group who has their windows cleaned by PVWC Dennis will donate $20. Call Dennis at 386-9563 to schedule your free estimate.”
Frodema has started a Go Fund Me page to help raise the goal of $100,000. It is at https://www.gofundme.com/f/forest-parks-field-of-dreams.
Frodema said the funding will be turned over to the city. “We will do whatever the city wants us to do,” he added. He suggested the funds be used to hire a landscaper to complete the work and for training for city staffers to learn how to take care of the fields.
Mayor Domenic Sarno told Reminder Publishing, “Having played a number of games at Walker Grandstand ‘wearing the tools of ignorance’ as an old catcher in sandlot, high school and legion ball, this field, as with Forest Park, is very near and dear to my heart. In speaking with Director Patrick Sullivan and while we appreciate this groups efforts, they have never properly contacted and/or come before the Park Commission for a review. Big news here is that Director Patrick Sullivan, myself and Congressman Richard Neal, after a study was done, have been working on securing the funding for this major project and will be announcing it in the very near future. Also, the dugouts will be named after The Republican Newspaper legendary sportswriter, the late Garry Brown too – that’s what I would call a ‘Hitting to all Fields’ feel good story.”