ARLINGTON – While heavy rain cancelled early games to dampen Stilly Valley Little League’s opening day Saturday, one afternoon game managed to play ball and officially break in the new artificial turf at Bill Quake Memorial Field.
In the Minors Division, the Stilly Titans defeated the Stilly Huskies 11-5.
Seattle-based contractor Hellas Construction installed the new fields that use a Matrix synthetic turf with infill materials that provide for better drainage and shock absorption.
This is the first time the turf has been used for baseball fields. It’s a hit with the young players, said Greg Dunc, Stilly Valley Little League president.
“The kids so far love the new turf,” Dunc said. “I’m sure the appreciation will grow even more the longer they get to play on it. This fantastic project will improve our Little League and overall sport participation, which is just an additional bonus. “
Dunc said the Stilly Valley Youth Project was key to getting the funding for “game changer” improvements at Quake Field, and the community rallied around it.
Former Snohomish County Councilman Ken Klein spearheaded the project to gain funding, and Snohomish County Boys and Girls Club director Bill Tsoukalas, Arlington Mayor Barb Tolbert and others were critical to getting the improvements off the ground.
Boys and girls – and their parents – just want to play in a safe and fun environment. Dunc said the league has its fair share of heavy rain that forces rainouts, just like it did opening day, leading to more field preparation by volunteer coaches and helpers to dry out fields and make them safer to play on.
Puddles and standing water were a safety issue with the previous dirt and grass surface of the two fields.
“The new turf fields are ideal to help eliminate the cancellation of games,” said Dunc, adding, “Of course, we will not want the kids playing in a steady rain or with lightning present, so some rainouts aren’t avoidable.”
The new smooth turf surface also reduces the occurrences of bad hops, which is also great for safety, Dunc said.
Field improvements also include new fencing and new blacktop pathways for better access.
In part due to the new fields, Stilly Valley has added a new Challenger Little League Division this season for kids in the community with mental and physical challenges, Dunc said.
The league is also welcoming baseball and softball teams from other District 1 Little Leagues (14 leagues including SVLL from Stanwood to Alderwood) to play on our new home turf, Dunc added.
The Quake Field improvements are expected to be an economic driver, putting Arlington on deck to draw more baseball and softball tournaments, and recreational tourism to the area.
