EPCHS Cuts Ribbon For State-Of-Art Softball And Baseball Fields

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — Evergreen Park Community High School added another gem to its sports complex with the unveiling of its state-of-the-art baseball and softball fields. The “field of dreams” marks a new era for Mustang baseball and softball.

Dozens of Evergreen Park residents, athletes, district and village officials attended a dedication ceremony Thursday for the new ball fields. The new additions include environmentally-friendly artificial turf fields, new locker rooms and press box built above the dugouts to conserve space on the high school’s land-locked campus.

The fields were made with a particular focus on the safety of EPCHS student athletes. A shock pad was installed under the field, and a wood infill manufactured by Brock USA was also installed to maximize safety and performance.

“This is one of the most impressive high school baseball/softball complexes in the country,” said Jim Froslid, central region vice president of Brock USA. Brock, a Colorado-based company that has manufactured sports fields for 1,200 schools throughout the country. “The priorities were athlete’s safety, high-performance and overall value.”

The Brock infill turf is a natural product (southern yellow pine) that absorbs moisture. The infilled turf over a quality shock pad can reach player safety ranges often only found in natural grass.

This infill also allows for greater natural ball bounce and playability and also provides a cooler playing surface than rubber infills by up to 40 degrees, EPCHS Superintendent Tom O’Malley said.

Meaning that even on a 100-degree summer day, playing conditions would be much more comfortable compared to other turf products.

“We were just wowed by this facility,” Mayor Kelly Burke said of a recent preview. “The entire community is going to be able to take advantage of all the good things coming through for the high school and their athletic facilities.”

Former Mayor James Sexton cut the ribbon on the new fields, and the entrance off 99th Street leading into the sports complex was designated with an honorary street sign —“Mayor James Sexton Drive.” Sexton was a founding member of the Evergreen Park Community High School Education Foundation and has two grandchildren currently attending the high school.

“Without these young student athletes playing, we have no future,” Sexton said. “We hope these young folks go on to bigger and better things and hopefully purchase property here.”

O’Malley has aggressively led a series of improvements to the 66-year-old facility, including renovating the high school library and purchasing the former Evergreen Park Racquet and Fitness Club for $1.5 million, that will be used as an indoor sports complex for EPCHS students. O’Malley said the indoor sports complex at 2700 W. 91st St. is expected to open to the community next month.