BIRDSBORO American Legion Post takes over baseball field
Local baseball fans have something exciting to cheer about.
American Legion Birdsboro Post 626 has big plans for the former Birdsboro Optimist Field it took over, effective in January.
The field is the home of Daniel Boone baseball, including Senior Legion, Junior Legion and high school varsity baseball teams.
“Many feel strongly, particularly our premier backer, American Legion Post 626, that there are still many more years of memories to be made on the Legion 626 Field,” said John P. Piccarreta, the 13+ director of Daniel Boone Athletic Association. “The field has tremendous memories hosting ball games for upwards of 40 years. Legion 626 Field deserves and needs our attention.”
The field needed improvements and the American Legion Post 626 saw that need and stepped in to take over.
“Baseball is a big thing for Legion Posts and once 626 heard we needed help, they jumped on board,” said Piccarreta. “Just think we revitalized the communication
between those running the actual baseball team and their biggest supporter. Post 626 was completely committed in making things happen and we’ve since hashed out the immediate
need plan to improve the infield and bullpen area. The remaining action items on the list are being categorized and prioritized as one-, three- and five-year plans. “
Located on East Main Street
(Route 724) in Birdsboro, the field has undergone several upgrades over the last 30 years. In the beginning there was another ball field in center field, and telephone
poles with fencing served as a backstop, for T-ball-aged players.
“Following the 1988 season the first upgrades to the field began immediately that fall,” said Trey Detwiler, father of current player and alumni. “First priority was removing the T-ball field and center field backstop.”
There were also other renovations during this time period that included adding grass seed to the former infield dirt in center field, adding a new outfield fence from left field to right field, digging a warning track, creating foul lines with old spray painted firehose down both the left field and right field sides, and installing the PA system and speakers.
“Creation of the Coaches Parents Association, now DBAA, was also created at this time,” said Detwiler. “The idea being to create a winning culture for players started with upgrades to the field.”
The first Coaches Parents Association raised over $72,000 in two years that funded the first renovations to the field, new uniforms and equipment.
The team changed its name from the Birdsboro Cardinals to the Birdsboro Orioles to form a new culture, a winning culture, at the beginning of the 1989 season.
“At this time not all school districts had their own American Legion program and the team fielded players from Daniel Boone, Twin Valley, High Point, St. Pius, Holy Name and Central Catholic High Schools,” Detwiler said. “The 1989 team was the first from Birdsboro to make the American Legion playoffs in the history of the program. Sustained success quickly followed.”
In the beginning of the 1990s, the press box was added to the top of the snack bar and dugouts were built. In the early 1990s the team had the first county championship.
“Baseball popularity in the community skyrocketed with success of the program,” Detwiler said. “More kids were playing ball and a Senior Babe Ruth team was added to accommodate the increase in player registrations.”
Also created in the early 1990s was an adult team, of alumni players; that played in the Spring Lawn Optimist league, who used the Birdsboro Orioles name and Optimist Field.
“Since the turnaround of the program countless numbers of players have moved on and played ball at the next level and beyond,” Detwiler said.
As the 2000s began the original hand changed scoreboard was removed and replaced with a new digital scoreboard. Also during this time, the parking area behind the field was increased, and netting was installed down the left field foul line. Other new additions included a batting cage, and bullpen with mounds and backstops.
“Legion 626 Field will become the beacon of the younger baseball players throughout the district to aspire to showcase their talent on,” Piccarreta said. “This is a culmination of several years in the making, with the work ahead, feeling like the definition of community.”