Volunteers help level the playing field, literally, at Soddy-Daisy Middle School.For many years, the Soddy-Daisy Middle School baseball team has been in need of a level playing field. The outfield of the team's home field was literally uneven, and the field also lacked a pitcher's mound.
Before recently, the 50- to 60-year-old field had never been updated. SDMS Booster Club President Jerry Workman enlisted the help of local businesses and individuals to ensure the players a fair chance at winning on their home field this season.
"One of my passions is to have an even playing field for my son and the other players," said Workman. "Two or three good businessmen put in a lot of money, and one Saturday we had a working party."
Volunteers helped by putting down hay for new grass, building new fencing and adding dirt to the outfield to make it level.
A local contractor also put a new roof on the concession stand.
Sean Sims, owner of All Green Recycling, paid for the dirt and the equipment to bulldoze the field, the cost of which was more than $500, said Workman.
"Sean Sims' workers came on company time," he added.
Bill Renfro, former Public Works director for the city of Soddy-Daisy, used a device to survey the field and align the bases and fowl poles to meet Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association regulations.
L & M Lawn Care Service did the grass, and others who contributed either labor or materials include Jeff and Pam Gann, Luttrell Development, Mark's Toys, Mark Leffew and Woody Bowles.
"Some [volunteers] used to go to this school as teenagers," said Workman.
While the field is greatly improved, he said volunteers still have work to do. The field has never had a sound system, and the team has to rent portable toilets when it hosts a home game, said Workman.