Fox Chapel Baseball Softball Association lands $200,000 state grant for field upgrades

Summer 2021 will bring renewed enthusiasm to the phrase ‘Play Ball’ for Fox Chapel Area School District youth who compete at Emmerling Park in Indiana Township.

Fox Chapel Area Baseball Softball Association (FCBSA) was awarded $200,000 from a state gaming grant to upgrade two fields at the park off Route 910.

Money will be made available through the state Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund.

“One of our focuses will be to improve softball offerings and drive more participation from elementary and teenage girls in FCA,” league President Andrea Krushinski said.

FCBSA has a lineup of about 500 young boys and girls who play ball from spring to fall on fields across the district, including at O’Hara Community Park and Ben Killian Field in Aspinwall.

Krushinski said her group applied for the grant through state Rep. Frank Dermody’s office for a project that targets two fields at the park along Cove Run Road.

The fields are playable but situated on a flood plain next to a creek, which presents a constant risk of washout.

Part of the money will be used to reconfigure the fields so they no longer abut the creek, she said.

Further project details are still being ironed out.

Scott Rosen, FCBSA director of player and coach development, is eager to expose local players to quality playing fields which will translate to increased playing time, improved safety and an overall boosted experience.

“I was fortunate to play on some of the highest quality fields during my time with the University of Pittsburgh Baseball program, as well as the World Maccabiah Games in Fast-Pitch Softball,” Rosen said. “I’ve always believed Fox Chapel area kids deserve the same experience here at home in our community, and thanks to this grant, that vision is becoming a reality.”

Krushinski said that re-orienting the fields will make them more playable after poor weather and will reduce maintenance costs and volunteer hours.

“The refurbished fields will offer a much better player experience as well as bring fans closer to the center of the park and the concession stand,” she said.

Emmerling Park was the target of an earlier project that transformed one of its ball fields into a premier playing area with $275,000 in safety and accessibility upgrades.

At that time, FCBSA got a boost from the Pittsburgh Pirates charitable arm, Pirates Charities, to add lights, a scoreboard and a paved walkway.

When work on the back fields is complete, it will give young athletes three top-notch diamonds to compete on.

“Growing up as a softball player, one of the best feelings was arriving at the park, seeing the fresh-cut grass, manicured fields and running out there with your teammates,” Krushinski said. “Kids everywhere should have that same opportunity in their local communities.

“I hope the impact on our community goes beyond refurbishing our ball fields and encourages young people to get outside and play, as well as motivate the members of our community to make a lasting impact on area youth.”