On Tuesday, April 21 the Shanley Deacons unveiled a new softball field. The building of the new Bennett softball field is via a partnership between Shanley High School, Fargo Parks, and Fago Youth Baseball.
The project is almost three years in the making. The construction of the new field began once Shanley began building a new track around the varsity football field, moving home Shanley softball games away from the turfed football field. Shanley Activities Director, Mark Hollcraft, mentioned that Fargo Davies High School was a great partner, allowing the Deacons to play home softball games at Davies when the Eagles did not have a home game.
In a conversation with Hollcraft, he discussed the feedback from the community saying, “The Shanley community has been very supportive and enthusiastic. Not just from the parents of athletes and players, but from the baseball and softball community.” He continued by talking about the benefits of the new field, “It is a concrete step too for our younger athletes that play softball through the Deacon Flames, that softball at Shanley is a mainstay, and something to continue to develop and build. A clear step in support and perhaps most notable has been how Shanley’s Athletic Club has financially raised funds to support the desire and passion for our young ladies too have this opportunity to call Bennett Shanley’s home softball field.”
The construction of the field was made possible by a pairing of donations and fundraising. “The financial support and fundraising from the Shanley girls and from our co-op partners have also helped make possible adding a scoreboard, bleachers for fans, new foul ball lines, fences, etc., has all been reflective of the support of our Shanley and co-op athletic community”, said Hollcraft.
The combined work between Shanley, Fargo Parks, and Fargo Youth Baseball all played a large role in creating along with finishing the project. Hollcraft spoke on the partnership, “The partnership with Fargo Youth baseball and Fargo Parks has demonstrated teamwork and leadership working together to continue to create and build strong programs and opportunities for our student athletes, which is at the core of what we are striving to do for each of our organizations.” In continuing the conversation Hollcraft added, “This has been a team effort, not just with ideas and creativity, but also financially supporting this endeavor. I have been impressed with the passion shown from Fargo Youth Baseball and the collaboration with Fargo Parks and the many resources Fargo Parks offers, and the support of their staff to make this happen.” In conclusion he said, “We are grateful for the opportunity to see how this has developed and the commitment of each group to see it through.”
Following a Tuesday ribbon cutting ceremony the Shanley varsity softball team hosted Fargo Davies in an EDC bout, marking the first game played on the new field. The Eagles defeated the Deacons 6-2 in the game, worth two conference points.
