GLOCESTER – Glocester Little League’s Leja Field – located in Glocester Memorial Park in Chepachet – will soon be getting a much needed makeover in order to eliminate flooding problems.
“Any rain typically renders the field unplayable for days because it has not drained properly,” wrote Paul Kenney, Glocester Little League president, in a letter to the council.
The plan is to remove the top layer of clay infield mix, recreate the infield and create better surface drainage for the infield. Kenney told the council that the park was used by not only the Junior and Senior Little Leagues, but also the middle school teams.
“It’s a great field, the Glocester facility, but the problem is when it rains, it floods for days,” he explained. “It does not drain properly.”
Kenney added that the local Vinagro Company has offered to perform the work for the Little League.
“They offered to redo the infield, take out the top layer of infield mix, grade it properly, replace the infield mix with more of a sand material with less clay so that it drains properly, and also pitch the infield so that it drains in foul territory and not home plate.”
He added that the company would not be doing any work in the outfield, and that it would involve, most likely, a couple of days’ worth of work.
“It’s a great opportunity for the town, for the league, for the schools,” said Kenney.
Council Vice President Stephen Arnold said he had talked to Department of Public Works Director Gary Treml, and he had no objections whatsoever.
“Actually, he thought the idea of it was wonderful,” he added.
Town Solicitor David Igliozzi said as long as insurance is in place there is no problem moving forward with the project.
“To see what you did with Acotes Field, I trust your judgement,” said Council President William Worthy.
A motion made by Arnold to approve the donated work and improvements passed unanimously.
The Town Council named the field after Eric Leja, who died August 1, 2002 at 16 years of age.
Leja was a member of the Glocester Little League for eleven years, and as a member of the 2001 District 4 Championship team, competed in the State Championship series. The resolution, which passed in April 2003, stated that Leja “devoted boundless energy and unlimited time to ensuring the success of that Championship team, continuously strived to improve himself on and off the field of play, was an Honor Student at Ponaganset High School and a member of the National Honor Society, and was a kind, hardworking and community oriented young man who lived his life as an example for all Little Leaguers.”
