Drainage Improvements Underway At Ridge Softball Field

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Improvements to the Ridge High School girls varsity softball field are underway after parents and athletes expressed safety concerns.

Work being conducted at the field will improve conditions caused by severe drainage issues.

Board of Education President Robin McKeon gave an update on the field saying that 100 tons of soil was delivered and grading work was underway during the Sept. 19 meeting.

"The original schedule was pushed out a week but the sodding will begin next week which is good timing with the weather," said McKeon at the meeting.

The field will be ready for the spring 2023 girls varsity softball season, said McKeon.

The work at the field included installing silt fencing, stripping and stockpiling topsoil, placing and grading new fill, installing sod and/or seed, and restoring all disturbed areas. Read More: Major Drainage Issues At Ridge Softball Field To Be Improved

The field's condition was brought to light after a group of Ridge softball players addressed the board at the June 13 meeting saying they were "exceptionally disappointed with the lack of attention" that has been brought to the varsity field.

"Varsity field is an extreme danger and an embarrassment to the Ridge softball program with a rock solid infield and a mud-filled swamp for an outfield," said the teammates.

• Read More: 'Unsafe' Fields, Major Drainage Issue Impacting Ridge Softball

As a result, the girls' softball team was unable to play on their own field and forced to play all home games at Pleasant Valley Park.

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