Sandstone Park Restoration

Hello to all my Sandstone friends and alumni.

 Yes, its kind of a sad year for Little League in Albion. If we do get a season in (doubtful) it will probably be a short one.

Think about it, for the first time in over 60 years there will not be a Sandstone team on the field.

Will will survive and baseball at Sandstone will continue. I know Danny would love to hear from the league, "Play Ball".

Have you ever thought of this? I know I had not for a long time.

How does SP keep going (lawns, fences maintenance etc)?
Who buys the uniforms, bats, balls snacks for the players etc.?
Who volunteers to work the snack shack?
This has baffled me for years. SP is not the Lions, Rotary, St Mary's etc. Those organizations can sponsor their teams.

SP is a VERY loose organization of DEDICATED adults.

A few years ago I found out how and why SP still exists and is such a successful team.

Volunteers giving of their time and money. It's been going on for years that way.

I can only say to them. THANK YOU!!!

I decided about three years ago to be one of those people and contribute whenever and wherever I can. A bit late considering what others have done over the years.

I will do my best every year to make some kind of meaningful contribution to SP.

So let me touch on what has been happening at SP.

SP has received a large contribution from one of our Alumni, Gil Pritchard.

Gil grew up across the street from SP. Gil and I were childhood friends, went to St. Joe's together, played for SP together and graduated from high school together.

Lifelong friends. Even though Gil no longer lives in the area and hasn't for decades he feels as I and many others do. It's time to give back to a place that gave us so much enjoyment and lasting memories.

We would have games in the morning and games after lunch. There would be arguments and fights and every other experience young kids go through.

But what a great neighborhood. Sometimes we would have 12 guys on a side because EVERYONE wanted to play. And sometimes only 5 or 6.

SP was our backyard in my case it was my real backyard.

So Gil and I want to do all we can to improve all of Sandstone Park and continue the legacy of all those who made and continue to make Sandstone Park the treasure that it is.

That old storage trailer and the debris around it has been completely cleared. Thanks to volunteers who tore it down. THANK YOU!!

Unfortunately, it cost almost $1000.00 to have it hauled away.

Now the area has been graded, plastic was put in as a sub-base and stone has been spread on top. Blacktop millings will be added and it will be rolled and packed down in the near future. THANK YOU, Joey LaMartina who made the new parking area happen.

We have not yet received a bill for the stone from Keeler’s.

We have volunteers mowing the lawn and refusing even gas money. THANK YOU!!

So we plan other new improvements:

- An outfield fence. Not many remember the days when the outfield was surrounded by billboards representing businesses in Albion and Orleans county. It was a miniature big-league stadium. That is too expensive to reproduce today.

We are now getting bids for a 4 ft high chain link fence that will surround the outfield. The estimated cost is $8,000 - $10,000. SP does not have that amount right now.

We need your help!!!

Playground. We also want to address the situation at the playground which has long been ignored. I am trying to get some grant money for that.

Storage. You might not have noticed but the concrete building that was supposed to be rest rooms (never hooked to water or sewer) will be turned into our new storage building for the team and park equipment. It is in surprisingly good condition. My brother Frank and I will re-roof it in June when he comes up from Florida for a visit.

501 C-3. I have completed and the application has been approved that makes Sandstone Park Inc eligible for tax deductible contributions. Your donations are now completely tax deductible.

These are just a few things happening at Sandstone Park. If you, like Gil and I, have fond memories of growing up there or if you or your son or both of you played for Sandstone please keep us in your thoughts.

Why not make those fond experiences available for the next generation and the one after that?

I will post more often and keep you informed. PLEASE tell your friends about the SP Facebook page. Let’s get the word out. You can just copy and paste this in an email to your old teammates and friends.

Sandstone Park NEEDS YOUR HELP!