Playing Little League in Granite Bay just got a little nicer due to field improvements to Coker-Ewing Field in Ronald L. Feist Park. The park, operated by Placer County Parks Department and home of Lakeside Little League, was a winner in the 2010 Building Diamonds and Dreams field makeover promotion, sponsored by Chevrolet and The Scotts Company. Ripken Design, (a division of Ripken Baseball, Inc.) and Sports Fields, Inc. (FIELDS) designed and executed the improvements.

Granite Bay was one of five nationwide recipients of a Building Diamonds & Dreams field makeover, which included thousands of dollars worth of improvements to a selected sports field. Each donated dollar was required to be spent directly on the field makeover project. Ripken Design and construction partner Sports Fields, Inc. (FIELDS) inspected Coker-Ewing Field last fall to determine what improvements were needed.

Although Coker-Ewing field is a high quality field, several potential improvements were identified. There were some drainage issues due to grade changes, the pitcher’s mound and surrounding area had deteriorated, grass was worn in high use areas, grass/dirt cuts needed to be re-edged, and major wear areas needed to be treated so that long term maintenance requirements would be lowered. The renovation of Coker-Ewing field would transform the field through the use of the highest-quality materials and improve the playability of the field while increasing durability.

As lead contractor and expert on field makeovers, Ripken Design and FIELDS made the improvements from Nov. 10-19, 2010. Coker-Ewing Field is now one of the marquee Little League fields in California.

In these tough budget times, it is vitally important that communities come together to help government improve and preserve their recreational facilities. By taking advantage of the Building Diamonds and Dreams Promotion from Chevrolet and The Scotts Company, the County and Lakeside Little League were able to provide upgrades to Coker-Ewing Field that will now improve its playability, safety, and aesthetics, while making long-term maintenance easier.

To celebrate the field upgrades, there will be an event on Wed., March 16, 2011 at 4:00 pm at Ronald L. Feist Park, 9180 Twin Schools Road, Granite Bay.