Blackburn’s head softball coach Kerry Crum is in the process of making major changes to the school’s softball facilities. “There are some improvements, for safety reasons, that need to be done,” Crum said. “That’s why we’re doing this.” Crum plans on adding new dirt, new foul poles, a backstop pad, an outdoor batting cage, a poly-fence cover for the outfield fencing and replacing the fencing behind home plate with netting. Late last month, a truck of dirt was delivered and laid on the field, crossing one item off of the coach’s long list.
“We want to have everything done by March when we open, hopefully by semester’s end, but I don’t think that’s all going to happen.” Blackburn’s Physical Plant Grounds Crew is helping to make these changes, as “well as a few private citizens.” The work is a group effort, and Crum also expects some members of the team will help.
View from center field
These changes are being funded through fundraising efforts, as well as donations. “Part of it is fundraising efforts, some is just my own money. This was not part of the school’s budgeted activities this year,” said Crum. He also noted that the team’s golf outing held in the summer, along with their letter-writing campaign, helped account for a large portion of the money raised. Crum is also planning on hosting basic skill camps for younger athletes to help raise more money for the softball facilities.
Senior softball player Allison Howard is excited about the upcoming changes. “I feel the renovations are going to make the field look great! It is going to make playing conditions better. I’m excited for [the] season and to see the outcome of the renovations,” said Howard. She also said she thinks it would be beneficial to add more seating, a separate scoreboard and a flag for when the national anthem is played during games.
Crum also hopes to use the changes to improve recruitment. “The hope is to get the facility up to speed and be able to use it as a recruiting tool, kinda like we do with the new weight room,” he said. He also hopes that these changes will help the team’s fan base grow. “I want people to come out and support the softball program and take a look at the work,” he said.
The home dugout