CAPAHA FIELD TO ADD WOODEN FENCES IN LATEST IMPROVEMENT

Over the past decade or so, Capaha Field has undergone numerous improvement projects that have made it one of the top places to play baseball in the region.

And now, something else is being added to the mix that figures to enhance the image of Capaha Field even more.

The old chain-link outfield fence at Capaha has been taken down and a solid wood fence is in the process of being put up, with an expected completion date of early January.

According to Jess Bolen, the McDowell Capahas longtime manager who serves as president of the Capaha Field Improvement Committee, the new wood fence -- which will stretch from foul line to foul line but not around the foul areas of the field -- will give Capaha Field a much more impressive look.

"It's a state of the art wood fence that will be eight feet high (the old fence was six feet). It will only be in the outfield and not around the rest of the field, so it won't affect the vision of all the people who always watch the games from the hill down the right field line," explained Bolen.

"I travel around a lot with my games in the summer and doing the radio for SEMO games. So many of the parks have wood fences and they're simply beautiful. When we get everything done, the fence will be green. It should just add a lot of beauty to the park. It will be more like a professional stadium."

Bolen credited several businesses and individuals who provided many of the resources for the project.

"Tom Reinagel of Kelso Supply supplied all the lumber at his cost, so we're basically getting it wholesale," Bolen said. "Nook Kelley of Crafstman Union is donating the labor, and we're also getting help from some SEMO baseball players and other people."

Added Bolen, "This has been my pet project the last three years, but we've had other priorities that had to be taken care of. But I'm really glad we've got this going now. I think people are going to be very impressed when it's all done."

Capaha Field is used by a variety of baseball teams, including Southeast Missouri State University, the McDowell Capahas and Ford & Sons American Legion, as well as area high schools and several other summer squads.