Leechburg parents frustrated by unplayable high school baseball field

Parents of boys on the Leechburg Area High School baseball team are frustrated their kids don’t have a field at which to play home games.

West Leechburg resident Adrianne Burke, who has two boys on the team, said most parents are disappointed because they’ve been waiting on improvements to the field, located at Main and Gosser streets in West Leechburg, for years.

Improvements are underway, but progress has been slow.

Burke said school officials told parents they frequently meet with the contractors and check the field daily. An expected completion is unknown, she said. Burke emphasized she is not placing blame on anyone, she just wants a field for her sons to play on.

“We are frustrated because these kids deserve a field,” she said.

The team is dismissed from school early to allow the boys to travel to Lower Burrell to play at what are known as the ABC fields for their home games. Games have been pushed up to 2 p.m. instead of after school. The early time is an inconvenience for parents who are unable to get off work or make it to the games, Burke said.

“I am grateful we have something to play on, but I wish things were planned better,” she said.

Gilpin resident Melanie Henry has a nephew on the team. She remembers the field’s conditions being an issue for many years. A former school board member, she said she fought for field improvements. She said there was a hole in the center of the field she worked to address along with drainage issues and improved surface material.

Leechburg Athletic Director Andre Carter said field improvements are being made, but construction has been delayed because there have been few dry, sunny days.

“The construction people have not been able to settle in,” he said.

The school board approved renovations to the field in July.

Superintendent Tiffany Nix said she is not happy about the field’s progress, but she is happy the boys still are able to play this season. The district said it is working to address the matter as expeditiously as possible.

“This is not ideal, but again, the boys are playing,” she said. “I am sorry that people are unhappy. We, as a district, are happy that the boys are playing.”

Burrell Baseball Association President Carey Harris said the team plays on a game-by-game basis on the ABC Fields. The team’s season will not interfere with the Little League games because the team plays earlier.

Craig Collins of Axis Architecture P.C., the contractor working on the renovations, was not immediately available for comment.

Baseball coach Heath Shimer said he has the boys’ best interest in mind as they navigate through the situation.

“In the end, it will make us stronger men with a sense of accomplishment,” he said. “I am their biggest fan.”

Editor’s note: West Leechburg resident Adrianne Burke’s name was misspelled in this story’s original version.