Vienna Girls Softball League Fundraising To Repair Fields

VIENNA, VA — Caffi Fields, three fields that are home to the Vienna Girls Softball League, undergo annual maintenance with thousands of dollars costs shared between the league and Town of Vienna. But the league says more extensive repairs are needed to make the fields more usable, prompting the launch of a community fundraiser.

The league started a fundraiser to address eroding grass lines and lips forming on the infield and outfield, causing the infield to retain water. That makes the fields less usable after rain, the league says.

"Our girls deserve better," the fundraiser page states.

The fundraiser has a goal of raising $10,000. This will fund a $35,000 short-term project to repair the fields, with the cost shared between the league and town. The project will include regrading infields to reduce water retention, leveling the ground between the infields and outfields, and putting sod between dugouts and the diamond. The project began Friday and will last two weeks.

In the long term, the town and league are working to get field repairs in the town's capital improvement plan. A long-term repair project could involve a complete overhaul of the fields with efforts to address drainage and runoff.

The league is asking the community to donate for the repair efforts rather than having players individually raise donations. When the league conducts fundraisers, any unused funds go back to the community through donations to high school teams, registration scholarships for players, and buying updated equipment.

"We also don’t believe in asking our players to fundraise on our behalf," the fundraiser states. "Players should be focused on the enjoyment of the sport, and our families have enough obligations in their lives."

The Vienna Girls Softball League provides recreational softball to school-age girls, as well as club softball and national tournament opportunities. Teams range from 6U to 18U.