Project Proposal
Improvements to the field will continue to provide inner-city players an affordable, developmental, and competitive baseball program where they can showcase their skills against the city’s best. These funds will allow Central to maintain one of the city’s nicest baseball complexes ensuring that the team has a safe, quality place to practice and play.
“The CHS Foundation has been a key partner in helping our program over the last fifteen years! Without them, our program would not have been able to grow and develop. Their commitment to helping Central student-athletes reach their potential has been vital with many of our players reaching the college level all over the country!”
Gerald Kreber, CHS Teacher and Baseball Coach
Students Impacted
45 CHS athletes per season.
Commitment to Closing the Opportunity Gap
With the funds from the CHS Foundation, some much-needed repairs were made to the field. Sod cutouts were added to the pitching mound and near first and third base. The repairs to the field eliminated the dead spots that were making it difficult for the team to defend bases. These improvements are sure to result in more wins at the diamond and will help Central to recruit and grow the program by expanding to the youth level as the school brings baseball to OPS elementary school students.
Translation to College and Career Readiness
The field improvements last fall made a significant difference in the way the field played and the team’s ability to practice which is important as some players are looking to continue playing in college. First, by elevating the infield (raising the clay approximately 5 inches), players were finally level with home plate which allows defenders to see, read, and attack ground balls at appropriate angles. Also, many of the bad hops and lips were eliminated helping players stay down on groundballs. Furthermore, the renovation to the pitcher’s mound helped players throw from the correct height since the mound had lost some of its clay over the years due to wind, drainage, and use. Improvements also made it much easier to maintain after the games and in the fall during winterization.
“Central baseball has opened many doors for me and taught me how to be a hard-working student athlete. I have formed amazing relationships with the coaches and my teammates, and I am very fortunate for that. The field improvements are just another plus and they have made a huge difference in practices and games for us. I am excited to play on it for my senior year and my teammates and I are all very thankful for the improvements.”
Ben Nodes, CHS Baseball Captain Class of 2023