Politics & Government

Town Meeting Tonight on New Babe Ruth Field

Residents to Vote on Up To $60,000 for Parks and Recreation Facility Improvements

At a special Town Meeting tonight at 7:15 p.m., voters will decide whether the town should appropriate funds from the Ledyard Parks and Recreation capital non-recurring "Fund 8" for construction of a Babe Ruth baseball field at the Pfizer Field complex on Stoddard's Wharf Road, and other improvements.

The Town Meeting will be held in the Council Chambers in the Town Hall Annex.

The cost of the new ball field is estimated at $45,000. Also requested is $10,500 for three playing fields – at Purdy, Clark and Crandall parks – to be dressed with organic compost, and another $4,500 to purchase and repair or replace the doors and steps on the department's mobile restrooms, which are used at large outdoor events.

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The total cost for these projects is not to exceed $60,000.

The new ball field would replace the Babe Ruth Field that was lost at the Gales Ferry Middle School complex when the infield and backstop were removed to accommodate girls’ lacrosse. Right now, the baseball field at Ledyard High School is the only venue in town suitable for Babe Ruth competition.

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There are currently eight fields in town where Little League minors games can be played, including two fields at both the Judge Crandall sports complex and Pfizer Field, single fields at Colonel Ledyard, Aljen Heights and Christy Hill parks and one at Juliet W. Long School.

The improvements would be paid for out of the department’s “Fund 8,” which is financed by a small portion of the real estate conveyance taxes paid to the town. The fund is specifically maintained for capital improvements.


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