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2014 a special year for Fields of Dreams
By Greg Gulas
AUSTINTOWN
As director of complex operations for Boardman’s 42-acre Fields of Dreams facility, Greg Krieger understands the daily demands of keeping teams, coaches, players and sponsors happy.
He’s also seen how its growth has benefitted the players who participate each year and the core group of volunteers who give back to the community.
Speaking to the Curbstone Coaches during Monday’s weekly luncheon meeting at Lucianno’s Banquet Center, Krieger said 2014 was a special year because his organization, Boardman Community Baseball, celebrated four special anniversaries.
“The reason the fields were built in the first place was because our league outgrew its previous facility, Boardman Park,” he said. “There wasn’t enough room for us to do what we wanted to do. Nationally, Little League was founded in 1939 so we were able to celebrate the 75th year of that fine organization and with girls softball becoming a part of the organization in 1974, everyone took pride in being a part of that 40th anniversary season.
“Additionally, the Challenger League, which is home to physically and mentally challenged boys and girls aged 6 thru 18 years of age, turned 25 years old while the Little League’s Urban Initiative celebrated 15 years of raising monies which are earmarked to developing leagues in urban areas.”
Boardman’s Little League was founded in 1955 and will celebrate its 60th anniversary season next year while this past year the league celebrate 40 years of girls softball.
BCB was first franchised by South Youngstown Optimist, now Boardman Optimists and its Little League included six sponsors that first season.
Two original sponsors, Diamond Steel and Home Savings and Loan, will return again in 2015 as sponsors during the league’s diamond campaign.
Krieger said the association has produced 12 state baseball champions. The 1981 squad, managed by Ray Bagdassarian, won the Senior-13 World Series.
In softball, the league has seven state banners with Rick Shafer managing their 2007 squad to the Junior Girls (13-14 years old) World Series.
Fields of Dreams includes 20 fields, three of which are lighted, while also playing home to Boardman High School’s baseball and softball teams, and both Cardinal Mooney and Youngstown Christian softball squads as well.
“We play 700 league games from May to June,” he said. “Tournaments, which draw 180 more teams, adds another 600 games hosted by our facility. We also play host to the District 2 Little League tournament.
“Over the past decade our league has been host to [more than] 800 players so I tell those who come on board that no personal agenda is tolerated. We remain committed to moving the organization forward and consider community baseball an adult volunteer work project.”
Fields of Dreams was opened in 1996 at a cost of $3 million with Clarence Smith, Dr. John York, Chuck Shafer, Frank Dravecky, John Darnell, John Walsh, Mary Kaye Carlson, A.P. O’Horo, Jim Puhalla and Joe Maruskin of Sportscape and Paul Brock, Sr. serving as key organizers and contributors.
Next week, Jack Loew, trainer and owner of South Side Boxing Club, will serve as guest speaker.