Improvements to middle school’s softball field underway

The North Shore Board of Education approved changes for the softball field on Friday and the reworking of the field is already underway.

The North Shore Middle School softball field had a very serious drainage problem, so much so that when there was heavy rain, the field was unusable. Rain caused huge puddles in the outfield and the infield, Don Lang, North Shore’s athletic director explained. At the very least, it was creating a very difficult field situation making it challenging to use the field, which caused some disruptions during last spring’s softball season.

The project would eliminate these challenges by creating better field conditions. The reworking of the softball field will benefit students at NSMS, as well as members of the community, and the community softball and baseball leagues.

“This will keep us on the field, keep our kids active,” Lang said. “It will keep them at the middle school instead of having to travel somewhere else because of unplayable fields.”

Although the field will be completed by the end of the summer it will not be in use until spring 2023 because it first needs to be seeded and sit for an extended period.

“I think (the parents) are very happy that it is being done,” Christopher Zublionis, NSCSD’s superintendent said.

The parents of the community had noticed that the facilities were run down and needed upgrades, he said. They had been advocating for changes.

“The athletic boosters, the athletic community and the district want to make sure that existing fields get replaced or fixed,” he said. “We also want to look at if it is possible to create other turf fields. We are in the process of exploring that now — the cost, what makes sense and what is feasible.”

The board is focused on the athletic community and changes that can be made in the future to ensure the safety of the student athletes as well as support their performance.

“We are thinking long term and strategically about multiple fields and giving our athletes the support that they need,” Zublionis explained.

Chris Wolfe, co-founder of North Shore Athletic Advocates, is hoping that the turf fields will be fixed and that additional turf fields are added.

The NSAA, which boasts over 400 members, is in direct contact with the Board of Education. The group believe there is a heightened focus and awareness on athletics and improving athletics in the district.

NSAA is making everyone more aware of the fact that people want more, Wolfe said. Parents want better facilities, equipment and coaches for their children. People want facilities that reflect the quality of the athletics in the district.

“Just like the softball field, all those other fields are a nightmare as well,” he said. “Drainage issues, potholes, burnt down grass. Like it’s very bad.”

Athletics has been underserved for the last 10 years, Wolfe said, and he’s been ready, along with many other parents, for more time, energy, and money to be focused on athletics.

Seventy percent of the students at North Shore’s schools play one sport. Almost 50 percent play two sports, and 30 percent play sports all year round, argued Wolfe. Science, theater, and the arts are important, he said, but it’s now time to focus on athletics.

“Nothing has participation like athletics. There is really no program, above class, that has that kind of participation,” Wolfe said. “I want our athletic program and product to be reflected in the facilities.”