Times Advocate, 1998-05-27, Page 18Pag 8
• Exeter's Bra
• "Field of Dr
Times -Advocate, May 27, 1998
By Katherine Harding
T -A Reporter
ST. MARYS - If they build it will they come? On June 4 organizers of the
Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in St. Marys are preparing to
make history when they hold their preview opening and first-ever induction
-ceremonies. • •
Getting ready for that date has meant years of planning, preparation and -a lot
of elbow grease to prepare the first phaseof the 32 -acre wooded site that houses
a.museum, 7,000 -seat amphitheater and baseball diamond.
Community spirit and volunteerisrn have epitomized the development of this'
ambitious pniject to bring a Canadian version of Cooperstown to the
Stonetown.
. .
•The Canadian Baseball Hall -of Fame and Museum's executive director John
Harlton.estimates that over 200.volunteers have spent.hundreds of hours pre-
paring the site.
Brad Gregus. an Exeter resident and superintendent of international pro-
leas for Ellis Don construction.volunteered his time and expertise to
coordinate and help construct the t4cilityiS.premier baseball diamond.
He first read about the project in the London Free Press.when-a group
of St. Marys residents.were Successful in their bid to relocate the
Canadian Hall of Fame and Museum to St. Marys in 1994.
Gregus has coordinated layouts of diamonds from Windsor to
Timmins and even as far away as Nassau, Bahamas.
The first field he ever built was the Alvin Willert Field in Exeter
which was completed in 1981. Prior to building that field he travelled
all across Ontario from 1979-80 researching baseball diamonds in
order to prepare himself.
Gregus calls building baseball diamonds "a particular hobby
"I love baseball but my real passion is construction,"
added.
Gregus is confident that the St. Marys field will be ready
for June 4 and was appreciative of the help he has received
during the construction. "
"1 have had all kinds of volunteer help and there has been
terrific coordination by John (Harlton),'-" Gregus said. '
The donations from the community for this project have also
been exemplary. From 40 loads of top soil to 800 tons of sand -
fill to paint, businesses•and individuals have been extremely.
generous.
"I really think it's what the community -wants it to be.
And my hope is that somehow the community will, catch a
visionand be part of this history here...and just get out
and participate in some way in building this," Harlton .
. . .
said. "This whole project in my mind is an excellent
opportunity to build the future for our youih."
Beyond the Canadian Hall of Fame and Museum,
Harlton feels there is -an "unlimited potential" to .
develop.the rest of the.prop.erty the facility is'
on. •
"We are hoping it will the outdoor com-
munity place to congregate and cele-
brate," said Harlton.
Besides building trails and picnic
areas: a bandshell may also be
constructed.
The induction ceremonies will be held on
June 4 at 4 p.m. at the new facility on Church St. in St. Marys. That date is the
160th anniversary of the first ever recorded baseball game in Canada which was
played in Beachville, near Woodstock.
George (Knotty) Lee, Sylvan (Ron) Roncetti and 64 Canadian members of
the All-American Girls' Professional Baseball League will be inducted in at the
ceremony. There are 40 people that belong to the Canadian Baseball Hall of
Fame.
•
[Building St. Marys "Reid of Dreams". from left: executive direc-
tor John -Harlton and baseball enthusiast Brad Gregus survey
- the diamond at St. Marys' Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and
Museum.
Canadian Baseball Hall of FORM and Museum In St. Marys
Induction Ceremonies June 4k