Baseball season may be on hold, but when the time comes Stoneham Little League will be ready.

 The result of a generous long-standing relationship between StonehamBank and Stoneham Little League is a just-completed renovation at Recreation Park. StonehamBank funded the majority of the project which remediated persistent drainage and grading problems.

 There is little room in the League operating budget to maintain facilities and no internal funding to perform any kind of upgrades.

 Over the years, every volunteer struggled to combat weather related drainage problems at Rec. Park which sits on Dale Court off Franklin St. and abuts the Stoneham Boys and Girls Club.  The diamond was constructed in 1973.

 With heavy rains last spring the field deteriorated close to unplayable conditions, even on the best of days. One inch of rain had the field shut down for 48 hours and required volunteers to reconstruct something resembling a baseball field.

 The League’s goal with this renovation was to make the field safer. Decades of normal wear and tear were exacerbated by consecutive unusually rough springs.

 StonehamBank was ready to help.

 The League then contracted with R.A.D. Sports, a company that has been involved in several high profile sports field construction projects in the area. Its surveillance equipment indicated significant grading problems.

 Again, with StonehamBank’s support, the pitching mound was brought in line with standards, specialized clay was installed to absorb moisture, and base paths were widened and graded. In short, after a rain storm the field is now a playable regulation baseball field.

 Stoneham Little League is grateful for StonehamBank’s assistance. The Board wants the Little League community to know it has its sights on making further enhancements to fields and is continuing to look at new fundraising options.  ‘PLAY BALL!’ may not be too distant.