By MARK MAYNARD — The Independent
Ashland — Baseball will be back in Central Park on a regular basis this spring and summer.
The new Ashland Junior and Senior League, which essentially replaces Babe Ruth League baseball, has entered into a joint agreement with the city to play games at Ernie Chattin Field on a nightly basis.
“We think it will benefit baseball as a whole,” said John Vincent, the league president. “This is a huge deal for this league.”
The refurbished Chattin Field, also known as CP-1, is the main diamond in the park.
It has undergone upgrades and improvements from the generous donation by Gary Wright, who did so in honor of his father and Ashland youth coach T.R. Wright.
The field has also been the subject of a recent documentary by David Carter highlighting the rich tradition of baseball played at the facility over the years, including the career beginnings of several major league baseball players.
Recently, Ernie Chattin Field has been used sparingly, but it was the desire of Wright and the City of Ashland Parks Department to return nightly action to the newly upgraded facilities. That desire is now reality.
“We think it’s a perfect match,” Vincent said. “That field, the history of that field which has been so well documented, is tremendous. Now our kids can call that their home field.”
The Junior and Senior league is the new League established for youth baseball players ages 13-16. The Junior division is for players 13-14, while the Senior League is for players ages 15-16. The leagues are affiliated with Little League Baseball, Inc and are the successor organization to the Ashland Babe Ruth League.
The leagues will principally draw their players from the Ashland and Fairview school districts but will accept players who reside in other parts of Boyd County as space permits.
The new league has named its initial managers to include Mike Johnson, Gary Robinson, Ralph Gilliam, Larry Bailey and Gordon Dill.
AK Steel Sports Park, the former home of Babe Ruth League baseball, will serve as a practice field for teams in the new league, Vincent said.
“We’ll have it in use every night for practice,” he said.
With the Junior and Senior League playing games at night, it will allow for the young athletes to still participate in other sports if they desire, Vincent said.
“It’s one of the issues the other (Babe Ruth) board faced,” he said.
Vincent said he has been working closely with City Recreation Director Sean Murray, City Manager Steve Corbitt, Mayor Tom Kelley and the city commissioners on bringing the league to Central Park.
“We are very excited about having Central Park as our home field,” he said. “There is no better place to watch a game. Our players will love having the opportunity to play on this beautiful, historic facility.”
Nightly games and Saturday games will be played at the park field. The league is also planning a Memorial Day weekend tournament with visiting teams coming to Central Park, much like the annual Fourth of July Tournament that used to be hosted by Ashland Post 76.
“The City and Mr. Wright wanted Diamond 1 used more often to maximize the full potential of the park,” Murray said. “This decision will serve the youth of the City of Ashland and our community in a tremendous fashion. We look forward to a long relationship with our local youth baseball program.”
Ernie Chattin Field will remain home to Ashland Post 76 as well.
Rose Hill Christian School has used the field for its practice and home games for several years. The Royals may not have a team this spring.
MARK MAYNARD can be reached at mmaynard@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2648.
