Oakes, who runs the Cheviot Patriots Semi-Pro Baseball Club, is leading the charge to restore the Cheviot Memorial Baseball Field on Robb Avenue.

"We want to get the community involved and kids playing on the field like they did in the old days," he said.

The Patriots, established in 1912, are the third oldest semiprofessional baseball team in the nation, and have called the memorial field home since it was built in 1936 with federal Works Progress Administration funds.

Throughout the years, the field has also been used for an infinite number of youth baseball games, charity games between the Cheviot club and the Cincinnati Reds, professional boxing matches and Veterans' Day and Memorial Day celebrations, Oakes said.

Baseball legends Pete Rose, Dave Parker and Don Zimmer are only a few of the famous players to have stepped on the field, he said.

"It's just really such a neat historical landmark, and we've taken very seriously our role as stewards of the historic facility," he said.

Sadly, the field has fallen into some disrepair, and Oakes said private funding is being raised to restore it as an asset to the community.

The renovation project has been broken down into three phases, the first of which is set to be completed by May 1, he said.

When the entire project is finished, improvements will have been made to the dugouts, grandstands, press box and field, including a new soil surface, updated drainage system and a grass infield.

The first priority is getting the field in proper playing condition, Oakes said.

Renovations will make the Cheviot Memorial Baseball Field aesthetically pleasing, but they are also going to be historically accurate in order to preserve the field's rich heritage, he said.

Vern Hettisheimer, who began playing on the Cheviot semipro team in 1968 and now serves as the team historian, said he is excited about the project.

"I'm glad somebody finally decided to do something because it can be a great place to play ball," Hettisheimer said.

With an estimated cost of $16,000 to complete the renovations, Oakes said those wishing to volunteer or donate are always welcome.

For more information on the field renovations visit www.eteamz.com/cheviotpatriots.

kbackscheider@communitypress.com