UCS, USPBL players work to improve Eppler's "Field of Dreams"

Utica Community Schools and players from each of the teams of the newly-formed United Shore Professional Baseball League are working together to create a "Field of Dreams" at Eppler Junior High School.

Two of them, actually.

In partnership with Utica Community Schools, players from each team in the new league are preparing the baseball and softball fields at the school, which overlooks the new Jimmy John’s Field in downtown Utica.
“Enhancing the fields at Eppler is another example of how our partnership with the League is improving opportunities for our students,” superintendent Dr. Christine Johns said.

This week, players from the Utica Unicorns, the Eastside Hoppers and the Birmingham-Bloomfield Beavers took to the Eppler field to spread "Baseball Meat Mix" - a blend of clay and sand - on the infield. The players and the stadium's grounds crew also redefined the edges of the outfield.

"We are proud to support one of this region's premier school districts and this place we call home," said Andy Appleby, league founder and president and chief executive officer of Rochester, Michigan-based General Sports and Entertainment. "Our team members developed their love of the game on their local fields, so it is important for them to help create a positive environment for the next generation of players."The project is the latest of a series of partnerships between newly-formed professional baseball league and Utica Community Schools.

The league originally announced their three teams and mascots at a ceremony in November, 2015 at Eppler Junior High School.

The league and district also partnered to sponsor a reading incentive program in March, and Henry Ford II students designed and built bat and helmet racks for the visitor and home dugouts. On August 26, the League and district sponsored a Special Back to School night at a sold-out Jimmy John’s Field.