NOTRE DAME READY TO DISPLAY NEW DIAMONDS

The new athletic fields at the new Notre Dame High School are fast taking shape, with the baseball and soccer fields ready to host their first official competitions this week.

All the new fields -- including a softball field that will be worked on this summer -- were constructed using money raised by Notre Dame Booster Club donations. A variety of individuals and businesses also donated equipment and labor.

"In the process of the school being built, outside athletic fields weren't in the budget," explained Tom Reinagel, vice-president of the Notre Dame Booster Club. "We raised all the money, things were donated and volunteers have worked very hard to make this project come forth."

Reinagel said the baseball field, on which Notre Dame will play its first game Thursday when the Bulldogs host Poplar Bluff, has dimensions of 320 feet down the lines, 350 feet in the power alleys and 370 feet to dead center.

Although the field has been ready for use since official practice began early this month, various items are still in the process of being added, including an electronic scoreboard, roofs for the dugouts and bleachers.

"It's a really good high school field," said Reinagel, who added with a laugh, "It's up on a hill and you don't know if the wind is coming in or going out, but I guarantee you there will be one.

"I think every high school, when they come here for a game, will be impressed with what we've done with the field."

Reinagel said the same goes for the two soccer fields which are side by side. Notre Dame's girls team will have its first official home game Wednesday against Ft. Zumwalt South.

"We're still working on some things for the fields, but eventually we'll have a really nice press booth and benches for the players," said Reinagel. "The soccer fields are really nice and teams are going to enjoy them."

The new Notre Dame High School, in its first year of existence, is located on Route K west of I-55.