Play ball!

Jackson is now the home of a first-rate baseball stadium, thanks to community members who saw a need and found ways to fill it. In many respects, this was a family project led by the Litzelfelners -- Jack Sr. and Jack Jr. -- and the Ron Clark family. The result is Whitey Herzog Stadium and Clark Field.

The need for new facilities became apparent to Jack Litzelfelner Sr. several years ago. Ron Clark was inspired by the Ripken family's involvement with the Cal Ripken World Seriers in Aberdeen, Md. Litzelfelner, who played minor-league baseball with Whitey Herzog (later manager of the St. Louis Cardinals), got Herzog involved in the project.

Now the baseball complex, off U.S. 61 on the north side of Jackson, will be used by the Jackson High School baseball team, which this year includes the son of Ron Clark, whose family donated the land. Clark and Sons Excavation also did much of the construction. And the Clarks donated another 11 acres adjacent to the stadium for a planned community center.

This project is an example of the good things that happen when someone gets interested in community improvements. Hats off to everyone involved in this ambitious and exciting project.