May 30, The Claire Effect

Claire worked extremely hard and diligently transplanting juniper trees to the field today.  Our next door neighbor Bill allowed us to capture a few of his trees.  We used the water from the Honey Creek Stream and then got lucky with a little bit of rain.

The Photo above is Claire at the end of a long day of field work.  Eight trees were transplanted today ranging in height from 1' to 4'.  They are small now but are pretty quick growers once they get established.  Great job, Claire!

This photo looks from LF to Center Field.  You can see the curve of the juniper trees as Honey Creek Field will have a tempting Left Center Field homerun target which will be about 10' shorter than the American Flag portion of the wall.  You're going to have to tag one to get it over Old Glory.  

May 29 - Landscape Begins

With the help of Claire, my assistant groundskeeper, aspects of the field are coming together.  We are using wild juniper trees from the surrounding area as part of the outfield perimeter.  We actually capture water from the small, very small, tributary that feeds into Honey Creek.  Old Glory now is part of Left Center.

From Left Field looking towards Center

From CF looking towards LF foul line

The trellis in dead CF (yes the deer are nibbling the little plant on the right)

CF looking towards the RF line

Home Plate looking towards LF/LC

The grounds crew will work on raking the field so that aeration can aid in its growth.  Scrounging the surrounding area for more wild junipers.   

While the immediate goal of Honey Creek Field is to have it ready for wiffle ball in the next few weeks the project is a long term one that will cover years.  The Grass, the Trees and Shrubs, will all take time to mature but therein lies the challenge and excitement of the project.  

Honey Creek Field Strike Zone

The Strike Zone

As we work our way to the Grand Opening of Honey Creek Field the strike zone is now off of our to do list.
This week's schedule:

• Grounds crew will be working on the infield this week transplanting some grass to gain a foothold among the wild grasses.
• Dirt will be applied to the home plate, pitchers mound, and the 3 bases
• The trellis is in place in center field with a climbing plant as is the foul poles that are wild juniper trees
• Construction will begin on a sign that names the field, date of origin, and anything else we want to add to it.  A local artist has been commissioned for the job.  Translation:  Susan
• Advertising banners will be in the outfield will be available on a first come basis.  Cost:  nothing.  
• A Grand Opening Date is yet to be set but rumor has it that it could be less than 5 weeks away.  

The Land for Honey Creek Field

Here are a few photos of the land before landscaping.  The grass has received its first cutting.  Click Read More (just below) for early photos of the field.

The Project Begins

Honey Creek Field - STATUS

Done:  

• The field has been staked.  Yes, we will have an irregular outfield wall!!
• Two benches have been claimed (they belonged to the kids who played frisbee golf in my yard...yes, it's still there)...maybe I should name it the Honey Creek  Complex....ha ha

Next steps:  

• Take pre-field photo (camera is charging)  Done and Posted
• Arrange to have the field grass cut. - DONE!  We have a groundskeeper!!
• Begin Marketing campaign
• Bases, mound, landscaping....do I have ideas or what?
• Electric scoreboard, what a sec?!  That's next year.

Progress to Date

HONEY CREEK FIELD Update

Done:  

• We have a consultant (Kevin)
• We have an umpire (Jim Haynes)  We haven't asked him, yet, but does he really have a choice?

Consultant:  Kevin Haynes