In September 2004, the Athens Sandlot Board decided to improve the baseball fields at the West End Park. Over the next five months, the Board researched fields, examined the existing fields and debated over whether anything could be done to improve the exisiting fields.  Fencing was rusting and needed repair, backstops were falling apart and missing pieces, there were no dugouts, water was scarce, and there was no home run fencing. Not to mention that none of the Board members had hit the lottery, so funding the project was a concern as well.

Six field sponsors helped get the project underway including Diagnostic Hybrids (DHI), Hocking Valley Bank, Ohio Realty, The Schwarzel Family, Rider Insurance, and Athens County Youth Baseball (Athens County Little League). They stepped forward and took a chance when they were "Fields of Dreams". We could not have started if it wasn't for their generosity.

On March 3, 2005 the Athens Sandlot Board broke ground to start renovations of the West End Park baseball fields. By May 1, 2005, half size replicas of Boston's Fenway Park, Cleveland's Jacob's Field and Chicago's Wrigley Field were recreated. It was accomplished with the help of the people below who donated their free time and weekends to get the job done (See list below).  They went out of their way to help create these fields for Athens County youth and their help is greatly appreciated.  Without them it couldn't have been done. 

There are at least $40,000 in renovations into each field turning them into what you see today. And the only reason it didn't cost more was that many people donated time, their services, or material to help get the job done. The Board Members worked seven days a week (literally) to get the fields ready for the opening pitch, approximatley 57 days after breaking ground. That included digging footers for six dugouts, laying block for six dougouts and three backstops, setting fencing poles in concrete for almost 2000 feet of fence and building the first two pitching mounds the park had ever seen. That doesn't include the many hours spent laying out the fields, drawing the plans, hiring contractors or a thousand other details that needed attended to pull this off. 

In addition to building the fields, the seven Board members still had to evaluate the players, create teams, create a season's playing schedule, organize the field usage, plan opening day, create a program, and uniform over 120 players.  Plus they added the 7/8 year old division to boot.  They also renovated the city's concession stand which had been relateively dormant for some time. This was all done by opening day.

On May 1, 2005 Athens Sandlot had its opening day.  Six 7/8 year old teams and seven 9/10 year old teams lined the field (seen below). Hannah Anderson sung the National Anthem and our first pitch was thrown out by a veteran just back from Iraq. Opening pitches on three fields were thrown with major league baseballs obtained from the Pirates, Red Sox, and Astros who donated balls for the cause.  These were actual game balls from major league baseball's spring training.

The seasons games were played with many close games between the teams. The season ended with playoffs and the last place Sonic Reds fighting their way from the bottom to beat the Cooley Cubs for the Championship of the 7/8 year old division.  The first place Mathews Insurance Red Sox barely beat the Don Wood Rangers to win the 9/10 year old division.

After the regular season both the 9/10 and 7/8 year old divisions formed all-star teams.  Both divisions went on to win tournaments in Ohio and West Virginia.

The season could not have taken place without the dedication and particiaption of coaches and assistant coaches who donated their time. Thanks to Downard Photography for the team pictures.  Thanks to OU Printing Services for helping to get our program printed in time. Thank you to everyone who helped in the concession stand. Thank you parents, friends and relatives for coming to the fields to support your kids.  

If you attended opening day or any of the games you know this was all worth it.

Thank you for making 2005 a great season!

2005 Opening Day Pictures 

2005 Team Pictures 

2005 Championship Team Pictures  2005 Championship Game Plays

2005 Athens Sandlot All Stars (10 & Under Division)  

2005 Athens Sandlot All Stars (8 & Under Division)

THE Athens Sandlot Baseball Board, Parents and Players wish to thank the following people, businesses and organizations who helped make THE 2005 WEST END BALL FIELD RENOVATIONS possible!     THE RIDER FAMILY    McGRATH PAINT & BODY   THE SCHWARZEL FAMILY   MOLLICA, GALL, SLOAN & SILLERY, L.P.A. Attorneys at Law   THE FOURNIER FAMILY   THE McCARTHY FAMILY    THE STARON FAMILY   COTNER & COOLEY, C.P.A.s    CITY OF ATHENS Mayor Ric Abel Kevin Schwartzoff Recreation Dept. Dir. Rich Campitelli, Recreation Dept. Asst. Dir. Bruce McLeod & Chris  Recreation Dept. Athens Recreation Center Advisory Board Athens City Council   From Bricklayers Local #52 Keith Bolin Mike Bradbury Ted Linscott, Field Rep. Tom Pendleton Jason Adams Steve Bolin Greg Bolin Jim Woodrum Gary Vermillion   Albany Nursery Rudy Baumgartel   Athens Concrete & Excavating Mike Niggemeyer Dave Stover   R-III Excavating Brent Steele Ralph Stover   Hocking Valley Concrete Dave Vaughn Jeff Cupp   Slater Building Supply Pete McDaniel   Smith Concrete Ross Synder   Precision Powered Concrete Walls Bob Vales   Carsey Concrete Charlie Carsey   Best Quality Concrete Roger Stover Bill Stover Bill Stover, Jr.   Lawn Masters & More Eric Brannon   Athens City Recreation Department Kevin Schwartzoff Rich Campitelli Bruce McLeod   RVC Architects John Valentour   Athens Paint & Decorating Dave West   KFC    BEDROCK TOOL RENTAL   C&E Stores OCS Wholesalers Crescent Sprague Davidson Supply   ATHENS FOUNDATION    OHIO UNIVERSITY   Individuals Doug Stanley Phil Shaw Bruce Kelder Tom Vander Ven TC Howard Keith Chapman Geoff Beetem Tony Colly Dean Hann Chris McDade   THANK YOU!   From  the Athens Sandlot Board of Directors  Kevin Schwarzel, Mike Rider, Bill Fournier, Keith McGrath,  Don Cooley (Past Secretary),  Bob Staron & George McCarthy   AND the PARENTS AND  players of athens county!     SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR  2005  FIELD SPONSORS                           RIDER INSURANCE                                               THE SCHWARZEL FAMILY                                                          ATHENS COUNTY YOUTH BASEBALL     They HELPED GET THE SANDLOT FIELD RENOVATION PROJECT OFF THE GROUND  WHEN IT WAS JUST  "FIELDs OF DREAMS" THANK YOU TEAM SPONSORS Stop-n-Cop Drive Thru  *  Sonic Drive In  * KFC * Cooley Enterprises * Mathews Insurance * All Power Equipment * Servpro* Athens News thens Paint & Decorating * Don Wood Automotive * Roller Bowl   *      Hoon & Bowen Travaux * Floor & Moore * OU Credit Union            Mathew Sweeney For providing team uniforms including shirts, hats, socks, and pants!   Visit the 2005 team pictures - >>Team Pictures<< - Looking sharp!   Change:  2005 9 & 10 Team Schedules Change:  2005 7 & 8 Team Schedules   If you have any questions, contact us at info@athenssandlot.com