For years now, I have, and probably you have also, been driving down Jarvis Street past the “jail” and have noticed that baseball field that no-one uses (well, the geese use it but they don’t count.)

I never paid much attention to it until several weeks ago when I wondered if the state would allow Cheshire Youth Baseball to use this apparently unused field instead of having to spend $1.8 million to build a new baseball field, literally right around the corner on Jarvis and Route 10.!!!

Make sense? Of course!! That is why it won’t be done.

I really love sports, especially baseball. But, let’s face it, this economy is not the greatest right now, so it might be a tad difficult for the CYB fundraisers to raise several hundred thousand dollars. My guess is what will probably happen is that the town (I mean the taxpayers) will end up funding the rest.

So, why not look into this ready made field, lying unused to help ease the playing field crisis in this town?

I called the Cheshire Correctional Center this Monday and asked what was the status of this field that was built at least 10 years ago. The prison keeps the field in good shape even though it is not being used so maintenance would be low or next to nothing. It even has bleachers and dugouts!!

A friend contacted me after she saw this original post and said the field was put in by the state approximately 15 years ago, but she was not exactly sure of the year. She also said she remembers reading that the chain link fence then, cost nearly $100,000!!!

Well, I was told the field was built when Webster Correctional Center was being constructed for the inmates to use as recreation.  Originally this facility was a “level 2″ (low risk).

But the state in its infinite wisdom decided right after the field was built, to convert Webster to a Level 1, (high risk) so the inmates cannot use it. Now I am not going to tell the Prison how to run itself  (YES I AM, WHO AM I KIDDING)!! but why can’t the low risk inmates, (the ones who mow the grass) be allowed to use this facility instead of it just sitting idle. Talk about a waste of taxpayer money!!!

Now the spokesman at the jail said he never remembers anyone using that field, but if my memory serves me correctly, and it usually does, I remember seeing people using that field years ago. Now, I don’t know if they were from the prison or not, but I remember driving by on Jarvis Street and seeing teams playing games on the field.

So, the bottom line, or the impression I received after speaking to the spokesman, was that the state may allow a team like Cheshire Youth Baseball, to possibly use this facility. The CYB and the town should look into this. Maybe contact one of our state/local representatives to find out.

Click here to see an aerial view of this field

FREE BASEBALL FIELD CHESHIRE!!! FREE BASEBALL FIELD!!!