Sure, football may be America’s most popular sport. But in the summer?
Baseball rules the roost. It even became an advertising jingle that’s ingrained in our culture— “baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and Chevrolet, they go together in the good ol’ USA.”
New Philadelphia’s Tuscora Park can’t help with the wheels, and the park’s well-appointed concession stand doesn’t list apple pie on its menu. Hot dogs, however? They’ve got plenty. And baseball? Let’s just say that the baseball field at Tuscora Park is more than just a diamond. It’s the crown jewel of spring and summer and has been ever since the words “Play Ball!” were first uttered here a century ago.
And thanks to the efforts of the “For the Love of the Game” committee, led by Kelly Ricklic and Tom Farbizo, the Tuscora ballfield is currently undergoing a multiphase renovation. The committee, which also includes Mitch Pace, Ed Breehl, Ed Marsh, Jeff Miller, Chad Milburn, Jolene Otte, and Sharon Ricklic, is of a common mindset, says Kelly Ricklic.
“We are all volunteers who have a love of the game and are excited to give back to our community of New Philadelphia and to our area youth,” says Ricklic. “Our Mission Statement is to create a desirable baseball complex for local athletes to use while also designing a space that can be enjoyed by baseball players of all ages with low-key maintenance in mind.”
With those goals in mind, the baseball field at Tuscora Park was an easy decision.
The park opened in June 1907 and was purchased by the city eight years later. It has certainly grown since then, as a list of the park’s myriad attractions is too long to recite here. Some of the more notable attractions are a 1928 Herschell-Spillman antique carousel that’s been in operation since 1941, as well as a vintage Ferris wheel and numerous other kiddie rides.
Those visitors who love games and sport will delight in miniature golf, fishing, multiple swimming pools and a diving tank, in addition to basketball, tennis, and pickleball courts. There is also a year-round pavilion, picnic areas and plenty of green space for locals and visitors alike.
“It’s a show piece for the community of New Philadelphia—an affordable place for family fun and entertainment, the center of our community,” says Ricklic, who has a long history of service to his community. “It has been a place where many childhood memories have been made.”
And plenty of memories have been forged on the baseball field, which is used by New Philadelphia High School as its home field. But to continue churning out those memories for today’s generation, renovations must be undertaken as upgrades were last done about 25 years ago when a grass infield was put in along with new lights and dugouts.
This project will benefit much more than just the Quakers’ baseball team, asserts Ricklic.
“Once phase one is completed, multi-age level games and tournaments can be played on the field, from little league to the high school level,” he says. “Also, the Tuscarawas County Challenger baseball team, a division of little league for ages 5-99 who have physical or mental
challenges, will have the opportunity to play here as well. Plus, hosting tournaments will bring revenue to our local hotels, eateries, and businesses.”
In addition, the planned renovation will not only bring Tuscora Park into the twenty-first century, it will make the baseball field safer for players and spectators while also providing ADA accessibility.
There are four planned phases in this ambitious project, and Ricklic says each “phase of renovation is a separate entity designed to permit the game to be played without interruption.”
Currently, the renovation is in Phase One as the committee is working to lay down a new turf infield after installing a new scoreboard and fencing. Dugouts and relocating two lights are also on the agenda.
“To date, we have purchased the scoreboard and fencing,” says Ricklic. “Some have questioned why we didn’t begin this phase with the infield turf. We chose to purchase the scoreboard first because it will generate at least $40,000 in revenue each year through the sponsorships of local businesses and organizations which will allow us to invest in a maintenance fund.”
Shrewd move. But why is new turf so critical in the first place? Simply put, new turf will allow games to be played when heavy rain on grass makes it impossible. And considering northeast Ohio’s propensity for wet and wild spring and summer weather, that is more shrewd thinking.
Of Phase One’s $650,000 budget, approximately $275,000 has already been raised through personal donations, grants, and the previously mentioned scoreboard ads.
More evidence of the committee’s ability to think outside the diamond is in its ongoing Turf to Play fundraiser, in which people can “sponsor” a 2-foot by 2-foot piece of turf to help defray the cost of installation. Prices range from $100 to $1,000, depending on where the turf is located. For $50, students can sponsor foul ball territory. Interested donors can visit NP Turf Tile Picker, where they will find an interactive “turf picker” that allows them to select their piece of the infield.
Home plate is nearly sold out, although several spots in the batter’s box remain. The third base line has also been extremely popular with donors, but there are still plenty of excellent spots for those baseball enthusiasts with hearts of gold who wish to contribute to this worthwhile project.
The future phases include the construction of dugout restrooms, bleacher seating, a press box, concession stand, bullpens, and a community center in left field, as well as the installation of additional fencing and the turf outfield.
To baseball fans, dusty outdoor diamonds will always possess a certain sparkle, but when the “For the Love of the Game” committee is done with the ballfield at Tuscora Park, this is one diamond that will truly shine. ** Please visit Tuscora Park for additional information on the park. The baseball field at Tuscora Park has a Facebook page, too, titled Turf Tuscora Diamond. **
