Blue Ridge Little League fields on mend

BY KEVIN WOODRUFF

The Little League fields inGreat Bendand Hallstead, used by Blue Ridge Little League Association are on the mend after being severely damaged by September flooding.

Blue Ridgerepresentative Brenda Pruitt said the league has held a cleanup day since the flood to help get the fields in shape for a new season.

The American Legion Ballfield in Hallstead was submerged back in September with water reaching the windows on the concession stand.

Also affected were theBlue Ridgefields inGreat BendonOrchard Roadwith water up to the doorknob of the concession stand, and the field near Simmons-Rockwell Ford along Route 11 in Hallstead with around a foot of water blanketing the field.

The league has power-washed the fields and removed oil residue from structures, but Pruitt said there is still a lot of work to do.

She said there are still fences to be repaired, infield dirt to be replaced and appliances to be replaced at the concession stands.

Pruitt said the league will be hard at work once the weather gets warmer with hopes of being ready by opening day in late April.

“We rely heavily on volunteers to help us, and would be happy to find anyone to help,” Pruitt said. “We should be ready to go by the time the season starts up.”

Pruitt said that anyone interested in helping Blue Ridge Little League clean up its fields from flooding damage may contact Karen Gudykunst at 465-2608.