A Fresh Start on the Diamond

This spring, Saint Joseph High School’s baseball and softball teams will be stepping onto newly renovated fields. “Four years ago, a donor in town came to us [the high school] and said they wanted to help make improvements to the baseball and softball fields,” said Mr. Kevin Guzzo, Saint Joseph High School’s athletic director. But the process wasn’t simple. As it turns out, the fields aren’t owned by the high school—they’re a city park, owned by the city. “So it’s a pretty complicated situation where the school district can’t just spend general fund dollars, nor can we make improvements without the city’s permission,” stated Mr. Guzzo.

The city and Saint Joseph Public Schools spent the past few years working together to decide how to use the donation and what improvements could be made to make the park as nice as possible. They finalized renovation plans last school year, and construction began last June. This first round of renovations—referred to as Phase One—is part of a two-part project.

Improvements in Phase One included brand-new grass, an updated drainage system, new underground sprinklers, and fresh fencing—all designed to create a smoother, safer experience for players.

Phase Two is in the early planning stages and will include new bleachers and city-installed restrooms—although those additions are likely a year away.

Even though games have not yet started, the season is approaching quickly. Weather has delayed use of the fields so far, but hopes are high that teams will be able to practice and compete there soon. As of now, the home opener for baseball is scheduled for April 15, with softball following on April 22.

Mr. Guzzo said, “It all depends on the weather. If the ground freezes, then we [the baseball and softball teams] can’t get out there [to the fields] because it’ll do more harm than good.”

As the season begins, the updated diamonds are set to be more than just a pretty backdrop—they're a place for home runs, rivalries, and memories in the making.