Witt board approves plan for little league field

The Wittenberg Village Board on Jan. 6 unanimously approved a request to move forward with plans to construct a new little league field in the village.

With a recent influx of kids who are playing little league baseball, officials are struggling to find a field that suits all of the teams. Several teams currently use the existing little league field including the American Legion teams, BABA and high school teams. With all of the teams using the field, scheduling games and practices for little league has become difficult.

“We had a lady go ahead and develop a field next to the field that we have right now,” said Little League A Team coach Nick Davis. “We took measurements and pictures and spent some design time down there.”

Davis came to the board in hopes of getting the village’s approval of installing a new field next to the existing one.

“We have enough room to put a little league field with the standard dimensions,” said Davis. “There is enough room for a park and a new concession area.”

He added that the officials do have sponsors lined up to help with costs.

“We have a local bar who has experience with this,” said Davis. “He would host four meat raffles throughout the season, including a gun raffle.”

Davis said he does not believe raising the money would be an issue. He added that Jacob’s Trucking (from Antigo) would help to remove trees and put gravel down in the area.

Board trustee Barb Buchholz wanted clarification if the village would still own the field.

“What is going on, is that we are struggling for field time,” Davis said. “So we are just looking at using the 10 acres for the field.”

Davis said that a new concession stand would be placed next to the existing field.

“It would be straight to the east of the existing field, so that it would be easier to tie the pipes in,” said Davis.

He said that Drexel Builders would put together a plan for everything after the village has OK’d the proposal.

Board president Bill Switalla asked Davis if any of the land contains wetlands.

“When I called the county, they said no,” said Davis. “They told me that the township owns it, not the village.”

Switalla responded that the property is in the town, but the village owns it.

Board trustee Paul Yaeger asked what the village would have to pay for the field.

“Whatever you can give,” responded Davis. “I think that we can get enough — we have enough local businesses. I have a quote in for fencing, I have a quote in for gravel. We are going to go out and attack people for dugout and concession sponsorships. We will go out and raise the money.”

Yaeger said that the budget for 2022 is already finalized and passed.

“If you are looking for permission for the property, that is easy to do,” said Yaeger. “It’s our portion of the finances that would be more difficult until the next budget.”

Davis said that the lack of parks in Wittenberg attributes to why a new field needs to be constructed.

“I was talking to the softball team and they have nowhere to practice half of the time,” said Davis. “We are about four or five baseball/softball parks short right now for everyone to operate smoothly.”

He said that he wanted to break ground as soon as possible.

“We should be able to co-op with light poles,” said Davis. “We are not starting from scratch. Plumbing and water is in.”

Board trustee David Timm asked if little league officials had talked with surrounding areas, like Elderon, about using their fields.

“The problem is that kids need to walk to the field,” said Davis. “Mom or Dad aren’t home or are working or whatever.”

Switalla said that Davis and other little league officials would need clearance from the DNR to move forward with the project.

lreimer@newmedia-wi.com