East Chatham Baseball: ECB News
ECB's objective is to introduce the children (boys and girls) of Eastern Chatham County to baseball and, within a safe and fun environment, help them to develop the skills each child will need to succeed as an individual and a team member. ECB has 5 age groups: 6U, 8U, 10U, 12U, and 15U and we play baseball in both the Spring and Fall.
Dear Parents and Supporters of East Chatham Baseball,
Many of you noticed and asked about improvements that have been completed since last season. The ECB board members have been very busy completing projects to make our baseball program stronger and a nicer place for our youth to experience baseball. The ECB board feels that it is very important that everyone involved clearly understands where the money from our various fund raisers and sponsorships is being utilized. The numerous activities and projects that have been completed for this season are below. Please take time to read what we have accomplished. If you have any questions, feel free to ask any board member.
Thank you for your support,
Cameron Sipe
President East Chatham Baseball
New Mower @ PES – A new lawn mower was purchased for $2050 last fall for use in dragging the field at PES. The funds for this mower came from the Great Wolf Lodge Raffle we conducted last spring season.
New Light Poles – Two new light poles at PES and one pole at EC were installed to replace aging poles at the two fields. Chatham County provided a grant ($11,500) and ECB paid the additional $4000 for this to be accomplished.
New Roof on PES Concession Stand – The failing roof on the PES concession stand was replaced with a metal roof and the roofs of both dugouts were also replaced. Ray Johnson, who is one of our 8U coaches and also a roofing contractor, replaced the roof for us at a reduced price ($2300). [Please thank Ray when you see him at the fields.]
Pitching Mounds – New portable pitching mounds were built and will be utilized for this springs games. Galen Newton, who has a daughter in our 10U league and also runs his own woodworking business, built the portable mounds for us. ECB board members then covered them with the carpet and rubber. The cost of the three mounds was less than $500 verses approx. $6000 if purchased from a supplier! This is our first season with portable mounds and I am sure there will be a learning curve but it is a big upgrade from the dirt mounds. [Please thank Galen when you see him at the fields.]
Field Grading – Foushee Grading was contracted to re-slope the fields at PES and EC. They also added 100 tons of clay/sand mixture to the fields and gravel around the bleachers. The recent rains have proven that the grading was worth the $6800 spent by ECB.
New Bleacher Boards – The bleachers at both PES and EC were refurbished by replacing the treated boards and sanding/painting the steel structures. ECB board members did the work and $1300 was spent on the new lumber, paint and bolts.
Storage Container @ EC – ECB purchased a used storage container for $2200 to be utilized for the storage of field maintenance equipment. The container is located behind the bull pen area in left field. We are hoping to get volunteers to take on the project of painting the container (perhaps as a community service project of a scout troop).
New Mower @ EC – A new lawn mower was purchased for $2100 for use in dragging the field at EC. This second new mower is the same as the one at PES and will be kept in the storage container. This should assist with keeping the EC field in good shape.
New Batting Cage Net @ PES – The Left field batting cage net was replaced by ECB board members at a cost of $700. The old net had multiple holes in it and was one of the original nets installed by ECB at one of the baseball fields. The new net is a heavier weight and made for outdoor service. The other batting cage nets were evaluated for replacement but were felt to be adequate for this year’s season. The net that was removed will be auctioned off during the season as a fund raiser.
New field drags for PES and EC – ECB spent $550 for new chain drag mats for both PES and EC fields. These new drags will be utilized with the mowers to drag the fields.
East Chatham Baseball was organized in 1973 and has been bringing baseball to our children for almost 4 decades. ECB is an independent organization and an all volunteer organization that has depended greatly on the generous dontations, sponsors, and volunteers through the years. Most organizations are run by Parks and Rec, Optimist Clubs, or For-Profit Oganizations
ECB has maintained all the baseball fields we play on today at Pittsboro Elementary School and North Chatham Elementary School, including the concession stands and the lights. The North Chatham field was donated for use to ECB and built by G.R. Farrell.
ECB is a non-profit organization that has an operating budget of approximately 40K a year. The majority of the income for operating expenses, up-keep, and improvements comes from our sponsors, concession stand profits, and fundraisers.
ECB is currently undertaking the task of replacing all of the light poles and updating all of the electrical wiring. This is a top priority for ECB. The estimate ECB recieved was close to $80k. In order to help accomplish this goal, ECB has applied for and recieved grants from Chatham County Parks and Rec (CCPR).
In 2009, CCPR awarded ECB a $4,500 dollar grant to replace the lights at Pittsboro Elementary and Horton which was completed prior to the start of the spring season.
In 2010, CCPR awarded us a second grant for $11,500 to replace two light poles, secure the electrical panel and replace additional faulty lights at the back field at Pittsboro Elementary.
This page will slowly be built up. If you know some good stories and a bit of ECB history, let us know at eastchatham@ymail.com.
