The fields at Tarkington Community Baseball Association’s park on FM 163 are ready for the season opening games on March 23.
Thanks to the recent efforts of athletes from the boys baseball and girls softball teams at Tarkington High School, park facilities are freshened up and clear of the debris of fall and winter.
The boys’ cleanup on Feb. 16 followed the girls’ efforts on Feb. 2. The boys were responsible for painting fire lane and handicap lane stripes, removing grass from the infield, painting a storage building, painting yellow safety stripes on sidewalks, cleaning the concession stand and organizing the office.
The girls painted the walls and floors of the concession stand, cleared debris from the bleachers, painted bases and removed trash from the fields.
“Most of these kids played in the league when they were children,” said Buddy Smith, facilities manager.
The season opening event will be on March 23 with games beginning at 8 a.m. The day will start with a cake auction and a World War II veteran raising the flag and throwing out the first pitch.
According to Smith, Rural Shade Baptist Church is feeding the community that day in the park with pulled pork sandwiches. Southside Baptist in Cleveland and Oak Shade Baptist Church in Tarkington are providing entertainment.
