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Printer-Friendly ModeSoftball league forming
Kochville Township recreation league to start in May
April 4, 2005 —
Kochville Township's continuing attempts at trying to acquire more community involvement have resulted in the formation of a softball league.
The league, which is set to begin play in May, is an effort by Township officials to create more community interest among its citizens. League commissioner Scott Lange notes that Kochville Township Parks and Recreation is making giant strides to benefit residents, including SVSU students.
"The goal (of the league) is to promote community involvement and to get some exercise while doing so," Lange says. "Everybody will have a chance to get to know one another and it will create lots of community support."
The process of forming a softball league presented itself with many parameters during the preliminary stages.
The playing field, for one, was a major item that needed to be addressed before any other planning. Lange presented the Township board with a proposal in August of 2004 to renovate a field and start a league. The board granted him $5,000 for the renovating process and the wheels were in motion.
The field that was chosen was Elmer Lange Park, located on Mackinaw Rd. south of Kochville Rd.
The field needed many small upgrades before it was in playing shape and Four Seasons Landscaping contributed time and energy in order to make that happen. Four Seasons also helped out immensely as they donated many items to the renovation of the park, including turf-removal equipment, leveling material for the infield, and 850 lineal feet of four-foot fence.
Lange's proposal outlined the infield, which needed to be expanded to normal playing conditions, as the first priority.
The original sod was removed, and the infield was expanded to 16,900 square feet to make it fit for playing capacities. After consulting with grounds keeping experts at SVSU and Saginaw Township Recreation, it was decided that about two inches of soil was the right amount to cover the field. Dixie Cut Stone recommended that red clay material be used to cover the infield, which would require just over 104 cubic yards to cover the suggested two inches in all places.
The original price of the red clay, which is shipped from Canada, was about $2,500 per truck load. Three trucks were needed to fill the infield.
Four Seasons helped again and offered their company discount, which was about half of the quoted cost at $1,250 a truck load and $3,750 total.
Four Seasons also donated the leveling equipment. After the soil was taken care of, bases were needed for the infield. Bases can range anywhere between $60 and $250 depending on the quality.
Lange's proposal also recommended the field be fenced in with four-foot high fencing all around it. Four Seasons offered to donate the actual fence but additional amenities such as posts, gates, and wires would be needed from other companies (Home Depot or Lowe's) to complete the fencing project.
Lange hopes to have a fair number of teams sign up for the inaugural season. He also notes that the league, which will be slow pitch, is available for men, women, and co-ed teams consisting of members 18 years of age or older. Other than that, it is available for the entire community.
"It is a community league with no restrictions," Lange says. "I hope to have about 8 to 12 teams for the first year, and I already have six or seven verbal agreements with people planning on starting a team."
Lange also notes that SVSU students are encouraged to form a team. The interest for a recreation softball league could be a huge priority among college students with time on their hands during the summer.
And as junior Luke Smith points out, there are not that many opportunities to do things like that in Saginaw.
"I think it's a great idea," Smith says. "Unfortunately, there are not that many recreational softball leagues available anymore; plus, softball is a pretty popular sport among college students."
The cost to form a team is $250; that may seem high, but the money is going for mandatory upkeep and funding for other items. Sponsorship of a team is encouraged.
"The entry fee will be used for brand-new balls, umpire costs, and weekly maintenance of the playing field," Lange says. "Uniforms are not covered in the cost and will have to be provided by the team."
Besides Four Seasons Landscaping, several organizations including Play It Again Sports and Kochville Lions Club have donated funding. Several individuals hoping to thrust Kochville Township into a recreational hotspot have contributed, too.
Games are tentatively scheduled for two or three nights a week (Tuesdays through Thursdays) through July.
There would possibly be a tournament or championship playoff at the 2005 Kochville Days celebration in August.
For more information on the softball league, contact Lange at (989) 792-0807.