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Last updated on Saturday, October 5, 2013
(LINTON) - If all goes as planned, the Linton Boys League and Linton Girls League will have a new complex to call home next baseball and softball season.
Halea Franklin, of the Greene County Daily World reports, Linton Youth Complex is currently being built on a 20-acre plot of land donated by Pat Sparks. It's located behind O'Reilly Auto Parts in Linton.
The complex boasts four regular size diamonds with three smaller fields for t-ball aged kids. Linton Boys League President Steve Witty said the additional fields will allow more practice time for the teams while adding more fields for games as well.
The youth league continues to grow each year.
Last season, Witty said the boys' league had 24 teams. According to Gretchen Bland, treasurer of the girls' league, had 22 teams.
League officials say play is expected to begin next year.
So far, about $130,000 has been spent on the project. Approximately $75,000 is still needed.
The funds thus far have paid for dirt work, permits, surveying and fencing. The additional funds will go towards concession stands, restroom, parking lot and mitigation.
Witty noted that the majority of funds received have been through private donations and businesses located outside of the community.
In addition to more playing fields, Witty said the new complex will be safer for kids as no traffic will be allowed inside the facility. The entire facility will be fenced off. Spectators will walk over a bridge to get from the parking lot to the complex.
The addition of playing fields will also allow the leagues to host more all-star tournaments. With all-star tournaments, Bland said, comes the possibility of additional revenue for the businesses in the area.
The Linton Youth Complex organization holds a 501c3 non-for-profit status, thus making donations tax-deductible.
For more information or to make a donation, contact Witty at 847-4134; Kyle Eslinger at 249-7863; or Ricky Templeton at 798-5648.
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