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Phase 1 of new Jackson ball field almost doneSunday, October 12, 2008
As he watched baseball players and coaches lay sod Saturday morning on the future Whitey Herzog Stadium, Jack Litzelfelner Jr. couldn't help but smile. "When I look across this field and see all of the volunteers from different demographics come together, it's exciting," he said. "That exemplifies a community spirit that is hard to put into words." Two years ago, the idea to build a state-of-the-art baseball field in Jackson's Nine Oaks subdivision was just a dream. But it became reality as land was acquired and donations poured in from Herzog, a former St. Louis Cardinal manager, and the Jackson Optimist Clubs. Those donations, totaling $100,000, funded phase one of the project — a red brick backstop that resembles that of Busch Stadium in St. Louis, an irrigation system and retaining wall — was mostly completed Saturday night. Phase one is expected to be finished Monday, Litzelfelner said. The second phase — grandstand seating to accommodate 300 fans, restrooms, a press box, concession stand and an outfield fence — should be completed by spring. Sponsorship signs from area businesses placed alongside the outfield fence will provide $150,000 in funding for the phase. Litzelfelner hopes the third phase — lighting, parking and a scoreboard — will be complete by summer 2010. Donations from individuals and organizations, receipts from tournaments at the field in 2009 and sponsorship signs on the scoreboard will provide $100,000 to fund the final phase. The groundwork for the project was laid more than 50 years ago when Herzog and Litzelfelner's father, Jack Litzelfelner Sr., formed a friendship in the early 1950s as teammates in the Brooklyn Dodgers minor league organization. In 2006, the lifelong friends discussed building the baseball field in Jackson. "The other baseball field we have in Jackson that the school and other teams use is more than 80 years old, so we're in need of a new field," Litzelfelner Jr. said. "My dad and Whitey Herzog realized the need for a new field that could be put to good use by our young people for years to come." Primary users of the field include Jackson and other area high schools, American Legion squads and teams from the Babe Ruth League. The distance from home plate to the outfield fence will be 325 feet in left field and right field and 400 feet in center field. "We're trying to make this similar to a major-league field," Litzelfelner Jr. said. "Whitey Herzog has said that he wants this to be a first-class facility. I think folks in our community will be impressed with the end result." American Legion head baseball coach Mark Lewis has been amazed at the effort from individuals and organizations throughout the community. "It's been amazing seeing the field develop from dirt to what it is today," Lewis said. "Having people devoted to a cause like this that will do so much good for the community is incredible." Jackson High School head baseball coach Rob French echoed Lewis' thought. "Seeing the physical development of ideas and the field itself and then seeing them come together has been simply amazing," French said. "I'm excited about what the future holds, not just for my team but for the groups that will use this field for many more years." bblackwell@semissourian.com 388-3628 Does this affect you? Have a comment? Log on to semissourian.com/today Comments  The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. If you feel that a comment is offensive, use the exclamation point icon beside the comment to send a report to the webmaster.
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Hmmm ... might I suggest a reading comprehension test for some of the earlier posters? The project was funded by donations, sponsorship and community organizations. I'm not seeing any reference to public monies (i.e. tax dollars) subsidizing the field.
The argument that "education is important, sports is not" is of no consequence. These are private dollars and the owners of those dollars can donate them to whatever purpose -->they<-- believe is best. That's the miracle of private donations ... they get to say where their dollars go and for what purpose.
I find it interesting when private donations are critiqued and others find fault with their generousity, particularly when they don't consider the full scope of the donors' past giving. A quick Google search on "Jackson Optimist Club + eduction" can provide readers with a better understanding of just how much they are involved with our schools and youth. And I'm sure one could find a similar pattern in the businesses which donated ... they likely have a long track record of supporting school events, youth groups and community activities.
Of course, some might suggest the local government should create an office to coordinate all donations and then distribute it based on their priorities and need. Any good little Socialists out there that want to champion that?
jtown and getreal definitely have and understanding of a new field in Jackson for not only for the city of Jackson but also the smaller surrounding communities. Far as the other two idiots that have spoken on this topic; at least there are a few retards around that have enough since to research the topic before commenting on the subject. I know that the economy is crap right now and people are worried about money, but know who is funding this instead of automatically assuming that it is coming out of your pocket. Don't you think that if this was coming out of county funds that it would have at some point been brought up for vote throughout the county, and would have been more of a hot-topic issue on your local, and late breaking news. Why don't you stop and think of the revenue that this field could bring to the community and the county by hosting tournaments and bringing teams from outside the community that will be using the hotels and restraunts in the entire county not just Cape, so just maybe as usual Jackson is doing something that will benefit the entire county instead of just itself like Cape generally likes to do.
GetReal you are on the right track. Burns you are a worthless project and for some reason we are still talking to you. You want to hammer everybody about education and that’s fine because it is very important, but reading your weak writing abilities and “as” if comments you come up with, let me know when you get out of seventh grade so we can have a serious conversation. I have taught in Cape and Jackson schools and these schools are two different countries. Jackson students are in their seat and quite when the bell rings and are very respectful to the faculty. In Cape the students act like they have just been released out into the wild. They are disruptive and require constant discipline and are a cancer to the students that are in Cape actually wanting to learn. You are correct on one thing Burns sports are not important, but athletics are. Sports are games and recreation that are for fun and athletics are highly skilled movers that compete competitively. There is your lesson for the day! Athletics build teamwork and self discipline, but most importantly a competitive mentality that is a must to become successful and put food on the table for your family. This is all about a baseball field though! This field malan is not 350,000 try over 1 million dollars. Malan quit complaining and do something supportive in your community in Cape to make it better other than complaining about the snobs in Jackson. Us SNOBS in Jackson are making you look very bad in schools, athletics and community support. Instead of getting defensive; I got an idea make a difference and do something about it. I agree the little League prices everywhere are high especially for a family of three or four trying to get every kid participating, but have people bring it up to the organizations, do not just complain do something!
Spoken like a run of the mill sports retard. Education is important,,,,sports are not! People act as if this area breeds professionals...as if. No wonder this country is failing, everyone is worried about the game instead of the LIFE....
Don't worry malan your kids will never be good enough to play on this field. They might need a bat boy or equipment guy. Jackson is the biggest school in the area so why not have nice field. These snobs in Jackson are making you look bad. The suburban migration is Cape's own fault. And if those people can't afford to pay 60 ? DON'T pay it. Go to Cape where it was 55 Dollars. What does 60 dollars have to do with the field anyway it is paid for by out side donations not the tax payers or bonds. You need to worry about cape building a new school they don't need and the day it was done it was to small. Quit throwing stones this way. Look in the mirror. You also don't understand how a field can get worn out this maybe why you need someone to read this article to you. How about having 2 fields? I know this is hard for you to understand Cape is no longer the key area around here. Pretty soon Saxony will be bigger than Capes schools.
Don't worry malan your kids will never be good enough to play on this field. They might need a bat boy or equipment guy. Jackson is the biggest school in the area so why not have nice field. These snobs in Jackson are making you look bad. The suburban migration is Cape's own fault. And if those people can't afford to pay 60 ? DON'T pay it. Go to Cape where it was 55 Dollars. What does 60 dollars have to do with the field anyway it is paid for by out side donations not the tax payers or bonds. You need to worry about cape building a new school they don't need and the day it was done it was to small. Quit throwing stones this way. Look in the mirror. You also don't understand how a field can get worn out this maybe why you need someone to read this article to you. How about having 2 fields? I know this is hard for you to understand Cape is no longer the key area around here. Pretty soon Saxony will be bigger than Cape's schools. Also Richard Burns some people might believe your a worthless project . Yet we put up with you anyway.
I agree, typical cape county crap...lets blow money on another worthless project.
What a total waste! Why does a city of ~11,000 people "need" a $350,000 ball field? The current field may be 80 years old but I didn't know you could wear one out.
No wonder everything associated with the city of Jackson is so expensive. This spring it cost $60 to sign a kid up for little league and I know several families who just could not afford it.
This isn't for the kids, it's just something else for the snobs of Jackson.
Im glad to see everything finaly come togther, but seating for only 300? Will there be more later?
wow