Grandview’s ball field has all the bells and whistles

By Kathy Feist

The Winnetonka girls softball team was set to play Grandview today. But before they did, the school’s Athletic Director called Helen Ransom, President of Grandview School Board and the mother of three baseball players, to ask whether the game was still on despite the rain. 

Last year, the answer would have been no.  

This year, Ransom was able to reply with a resounding yes, thanks to Grandview’s $2.5 million investment in reconstructing its softball and baseball field. Now when it rains, water drains off the artificial turf within 10 minutes thanks to a combination of layers beneath the turf. 

“The only thing that would stop a game now is lightning,” said Superintendent Dr. Kenny Rodrequez. 

Rodrequez joined the team and other Grandview school and city officials for a ribbon cutting ceremony this afternoon celebrating the completion of the combination softball and baseball field. He and other speakers thanked the community for their part in approving a $50 million no-tax increase bond last year that helped fund the field improvements as well as other projects and infrastructure in the school district.

By the time of the ceremony, the clouds had parted in order to enhance the big reveal. The bright green turf, a towering new press box, fresh pitching cages and dugouts, and updated score board glittered in the sun. Newly installed stadium lights will continue to brighten the homefield at night.

In the past, the two fields were adjoined, side by side, one mound facing east and the other west. Now they are the same field with a pitcher’s mound that faces south. 

A portable aluminum fence decreases the size of the baseball field for the girls’ softball games. In the spring, they will be moved back for men’s baseball. 

Even the uniforms are new, thanks to the district’s Bulldog emblem change last year. On this particular day, the girls looked like winners in their bright pink uniforms.

Speaking of winners, the girls softball team has had its first win in four years. The appeal of a brand new field can do that. 

“Watching the groundwork from the first day, the baseball players and I were just itching to get on the field,” said Jekel Smith, hired last year to coach both softball and baseball. “Getting to practice [on the field] leading up to that first game was very exciting.”

Smith said it’s rare to have a combination field such as Grandview’s. “A lot of schools in the area don’t have it, but we’ve been fortunate. We are just excited about this field and what’s to come.  And you best believe wins are coming!”