Giving field a sporting chance

The Laguna Beach High sports grounds appear to be fairly well-maintained, but certain conditions prove difficult for the baseball team, when clumpy infield areas deflect balls, old dirt kicks up pebbles, and a rainy day turns the batting cages to mud, President of the Laguna Beach Baseball Boosters Bill Burk said.

He said the cost to build Skipper Carrillo Field in 2005 was more than the Laguna Beach Unified School District allotted, which left the project unfinished. Although some initial plans for the field, such as a snack stand, can be put on hold until funds are available, others are more imperative.

With no additional funds at this time, the Boosters will host an adult-only Texas Hold ’Em Poker benefit at Time Out Sports Bar in Aliso Viejo from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, in order to raise money for field improvements.

The goal is to raise $12,300.

Part of the money, $4,300, will supply new sod for the infield, which has not been replaced in three years. The other $8,000 will pay for new concrete and Astro Turf flooring in the batting cages, so the team can practice swings more efficiently, rain or shine.

Burk said although the grassy areas have been well-kept, the infield dirt must be replaced more frequently. Level grounds help balls to roll more smoothly, which is both conducive to playing baseball and also a safety measure.

“It’s preventive maintenance,” he said. “Neglecting [field conditions] causes imbalance and can lead to injuries.”

The event is selling tickets at $100 per person, and each of the nine rented poker tables costs $150 to reserve. Winners will choose from a variety of prizes donated by the baseball players’ families, depending on placement.

The generous donations include a weeklong stay at a vacation home in Kauai Hanalei Bay, tickets to Angel Stadium and other sporting events, rounds of golf, restaurant certificates, sports memorabilia and gift baskets.

Hors d’oeuvres and two free cocktails will also be provided. Time Out Sports Bar donated its facility for the event, so all proceeds will benefit the baseball team.

Boosters members are hoping each family will recruit at least three players for the tournament, totaling 99 people for the 33 baseball families. Additional walk-ins are also welcome.

Laguna coach Jeff Sears said he looks forward to making the field a better place for the kids, and believes the new improvements will be a great advantage for the future of the baseball team.

“We want the kids to want to stay on the field,” he said. “Now I think they’ll be more likely to stick around longer and practice.”

Sears, who has 18 years of experience coaching at the high school and college levels, said he wants to operate on a level that is synonymous with top-notch programs in the county.

He said keeping up with regularly required field maintenance is an important part of helping players to get better, and once they have a comfortable and well-equipped environment in which to practice, they will see more improvements overall.

The Boosters have sponsored silent auction fundraisers in the past to raise money for items like video equipment and a golf cart to drag the field, but decided to try something new this year. The poker tournament was proposed by Sears, who has had success with this kind of benefit with other schools in the past.

Should the earnings exceed the goal amount, Burk said there is always a need for upgraded equipment like bats and catchers’ garb. The team recently was donated a pitching machine by School Power, a nonprofit organization in Laguna Beach that raises funds for various programs through fundraising events of their own.

For this donation, Sears said the entire baseball program is most grateful.

For more information or to make a donation, e-mail Bill Burk at [email protected]

ASHLEY BREEDING can be reached at (949) 494-5462 or [email protected].