Bible Hill ball park renovated to create home for One Pitch

The leader of a unique slow-pitch league has broken new ground at a local ball park in Bible Hill.

Darren Crowell, president of the Bud Light One Pitch League, has put in more than 700 volunteer hours over the last year to renovate the Pictou Road Ball Park, bringing it back to its former days of glory.

“Nobody was using this field before we took it over, for at least five years,” he said.

“It was dead, full of holes and worn down. Now I mow all the grass and look after everything, so it can once again be used.”

Crowell had struck a deal to take over the park from the municipality last year, leasing it for $1 a year, allowing him to work on the field and extend it.

“We moved all the fence back 40 feet, bringing the field from 265 feet to 321 feet,” said Crowell.

“The problem we were having was balls were hitting the road during the games. I couldn’t get an answer from the RCMP, my insurance provider or the county on who’s to blame if a ball hits a car, so we extended the field.”

The renovations and Crowell’s deal with the county have given the Bud Light One Pitch League, a permanent home.

Nine years ago, Crowell created the league to introduce a new, unique play style focused on quick and fun games for the everyday man

or woman.

To play, a mat is placed on the home plate, and batters are given one pitch. If the ball hits the mat, whether they swing or not, they’re out. If it misses the mat, the batter walks.

The league consists of nine teams of 10 to 15 people and games are every Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

Crowell created One Pitch after finding himself lacking the time needed to play full games of ball.

“Each game only takes 30 to 45 minutes,” he said.

“It’s simple, quick and fun, which makes it great for beginners just getting into ball. We have a lot of families play here, a lot of hus-

bands and wives, and even people who play with their kids in the league.”

To kick off the season and showcase the work done to the park, the league held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Sunday, officially reopening the park to leagues who may want to play there.

“Growing up, ball was everything to me in Bible Hill,” said Crowell.

“So doing this is just a way for me to give back to the community.”

For information on the One Pitch League or for field rentals, contact Darren Crowell at 902-957-6342.

CODY MCEACHERN/TRURO DAILY NEWS After years of neglect took a toll on the rundown Pictou Road ball park, Darren Crowell decided to take matters into his own hands and approached the municipality about taking it over. The past year, Crowell has put more than 700 hours of work into the...