Big plans are slated for the Kimball ballpark in the next five years.
2002 - Plans are to tear down the old outfield fence, move it back and build a 14ft blue tin wall with gray trim in left field and right field. The wall would slope down from right and left centerfield to go 10ft high in centerfield. Other plans will be the excavation of the entire outfield planting new grass along with the resurrection of a new electronic scoreboard in right centerfield.
2003 – The field will see a new sprinkler system, the infield will be redone a press box and dugouts will be added along with renovation to the concession stand and storage areas.
2004 – A grandstand is going to be the main project with a new backstop and new fence down the right and left field lines.
2005-2006 – Lights will be the main focus and the last major improvement the field will see.
So far the outfield-playing surface has been graded and new grass has been planted. The posts for the outfield fence have been erected as you can see from the photos. Wiring for the scoreboard has been trenched in and the scoreboard should be unveiled next season along with the new fence. In moving the fence back teams coming to Kimball will no longer complain about the ridiculous short fence. 370ft to 372ft in centerfield with it being 310ft down the left field line and 305ft down the right field line. Remember the 14ft wall in left and right fields. It still won’t be as deep compared to some other parks in the area but it will challenge hitters especially with the comeback of the wood bat.
Along with making the park deeper, players and fans will notice some very unique dimensions in right and left field. Some obstacles existed with moving the fence back, however in the planning of the new fence the Express field engineers got creative.
Three jogs in left center will give outfielders fits fielding a ball hit to the gap, as it will bounce many different ways off the wall. The reason for the jogs is mainly for more stability to the fence protecting it from wind damage. Right field you will find going around the Willow Creek Shelter bathroom. Down the corner in rightfield the wall will be chain link 50ft wide and 14ft tall so people renting the Willow Creek Shelter for an afternoon won’t miss out on any baseball action going on that day. The fence takes a sharp angle just after the bathroom and goes from 305ft to 372ft as it angles across right centerfield to centerfield.
There will be a 10ft wide warning track and foul poles all added to the fence this spring. As of right now it doesn’t look like the field will be playable the first few months of the season. The team is hoping to be able to at least play the last few regular season home games and all playoff games at home. Look for more pictures on the renovation, as they become available.
Hopefully with volunteer help from the Kimball community and lots of hard work from the team these goals can be reached. |
