Friday, February 20, 2026 |
Photo – Wood Field – Courtesy Platte Valley Little League
The Town of Saratoga has allocated an additional $7,000 for improvements to the Wood Baseball Fields.
In preparation for this summer’s Legion and Little League baseball seasons, Platte Valley Little League Board member Creed James presented two invoices to the governing body during the February 18th Saratoga Town Council meeting. First, James requested $6,200 to install two new backstop fences at Wood Field.
James said fellow Little League Board member Craig Kopasz is working with a local supplier to secure the concrete needed for the backstop installation.
Wood Baseball Fields, at the corner of 3rd Street and Hugus Avenue, was formerly owned by George and Nellie Wood. The Town of Saratoga negotiated a year‑to‑year lease with the Wood family to allow the fields to be used for youth baseball. In exchange, the town agreed to provide time and money to revitalize the grounds.
At Wednesday’s town council meeting, Platte Valley Little League Board member James explained that the $6,200 will come out of the town’s annual ballfield improvement budget, adding that the Wood family supports the new backstop project.
James said the replacement backstops will stand four feet higher, reaching 20 feet instead of 16. Mayor Chuck Davis asked if the new fences would include a canopy overhanging home plate. James replied that the backstops are tall enough to keep foul balls from traveling over the barrier.
James added that an overhang could be installed in the future if needed.
The Saratoga Town Council unanimously voted to approve the $6,200 invoice from Advanced Fence of Wyoming.
James presented the governing body with a $1,052.20 invoice from Plattoga Aggregates for crusher run base, a blend of crushed rock and stone dust.
The Platte Valley Little League Board member said after any precipitation, the west side of the north field becomes very muddy. Combined with fill dirt provided by the town, James said the aggregate will help alleviate the problem.
James added that the mud makes the batting cages hard to reach.
The Town Council voted to pay Plattoga Aggregates $1,053.20 to provide crushed rock for the Wood Baseball Fields.
