SOFTBALL NEWS
Here is an article that was in the Beaver Dam Daily Citizen on April 30, 2012
Diamonds, a community’s best friend
WAUPUN — Diamonds are supposed to shine, and the ones at Jerry Medema Fields surely take the breath away. That’s why last Tuesday, between two double header games, a pause was taken to thank the men, donors and businesses that last fall worked tirelessly in putting the ball diamonds at 728 W. Lincoln St. into tip-top shape.
“Last October and November we built dugouts, added the black fencing in the fields, added scoreboards, warning tracks and added an all new sound system,” said groundskeeper Dennis Killam.
“It took hundreds of hours but it was a lot of fun getting it done,” said equipment guy Steve Winning. “Some nights, we started at seven in the evening and wouldn’t leave here until 2 o’clock in the morning. And we’d turn the lights on, and we’d have fun working. It’s really rewarding doing something for just doing it, not because you’re getting something for it. It was fun.”
Chris Kounelis has a daughter that plays on the varsity team and also helped with improving the diamonds.
“I enjoyed helping other people and doing something for the community. It’s a nice facility for the girls. Softball is pretty much my daughter’s whole life.
“It’s nice to come down here now and see everyone enjoy it and hear all the good comments from other fans. And other school districts like it. It’s well worth all the hours put into it.”
Eric Navis appreciated the day’s events. “I think it’s fantastic. Unfortunately we lost our mother last year and she loved softball and music so we were proud to take some of her memorial money and inheritance and donate it in her name for a new speaker system.”
Eric’s brother, Josh, is a coach and was also involved with helping with the improvements.
“I have a daughter and niece playing and Mom would come down many times to watch them play sports. So this speaker system in her name was especially nice.”
Dick Flynn, director of public works was impressed with the coming together of so many people, and the results.
“They asked if we could do the work but we didn’t have the staff or the time,” he said. “We did take out the old dugouts, but volunteers rose to the occasion and made the improvements. On behalf of the city I’d like to say ‘thank you’ for the hard work and dedication of everyone involved with improving the softball fields.”
Given recognition Tuesday were volunteers whose cumulative time totaled 600 hours of labor; Dennis Killam, Wayne Fix, Tim Krenz, Steve Winning, Chris Kounelis, Jeff Kroener, Josh Navis and Ken Brown.
Contributors recognized included Eric and Josh Navis for a new sound system, and a special ‘thank you’ went out to Dickie Dommershausen, who donated $5,000.
Businesses recognized for either donating or giving discounts were Walmart, Vari-Tech, Carew Concrete and Supply of Appleton, Pro-Build, and the city of Waupun that donated the use of equipment.
WAUPUN — Diamonds are supposed to shine, and the ones at Jerry Medema Fields surely take the breath away. That’s why last Tuesday, between two double header games, a pause was taken to thank the men, donors and businesses that last fall worked tirelessly in putting the ball diamonds at 728 W. Lincoln St. into tip-top shape.
“Last October and November we built dugouts, added the black fencing in the fields, added scoreboards, warning tracks and added an all new sound system,” said groundskeeper Dennis Killam.
“It took hundreds of hours but it was a lot of fun getting it done,” said equipment guy Steve Winning. “Some nights, we started at seven in the evening and wouldn’t leave here until 2 o’clock in the morning. And we’d turn the lights on, and we’d have fun working. It’s really rewarding doing something for just doing it, not because you’re getting something for it. It was fun.”
Chris Kounelis has a daughter that plays on the varsity team and also helped with improving the diamonds.
“I enjoyed helping other people and doing something for the community. It’s a nice facility for the girls. Softball is pretty much my daughter’s whole life.
“It’s nice to come down here now and see everyone enjoy it and hear all the good comments from other fans. And other school districts like it. It’s well worth all the hours put into it.”
Eric Navis appreciated the day’s events. “I think it’s fantastic. Unfortunately we lost our mother last year and she loved softball and music so we were proud to take some of her memorial money and inheritance and donate it in her name for a new speaker system.”
Eric’s brother, Josh, is a coach and was also involved with helping with the improvements.
“I have a daughter and niece playing and Mom would come down many times to watch them play sports. So this speaker system in her name was especially nice.”
Dick Flynn, director of public works was impressed with the coming together of so many people, and the results.
“They asked if we could do the work but we didn’t have the staff or the time,” he said. “We did take out the old dugouts, but volunteers rose to the occasion and made the improvements. On behalf of the city I’d like to say ‘thank you’ for the hard work and dedication of everyone involved with improving the softball fields.”
Given recognition Tuesday were volunteers whose cumulative time totaled 600 hours of labor; Dennis Killam, Wayne Fix, Tim Krenz, Steve Winning, Chris Kounelis, Jeff Kroener, Josh Navis and Ken Brown.
Contributors recognized included Eric and Josh Navis for a new sound system, and a special ‘thank you’ went out to Dickie Dommershausen, who donated $5,000.
Businesses recognized for either donating or giving discounts were Walmart, Vari-Tech, Carew Concrete and Supply of Appleton, Pro-Build, and the city of Waupun that donated the use of equipment.