Photo by Bonnie Cranmer
Bonnie Cranmer
Contributing writer
Drive down Rt 615, past the school complex and on the right is the Field of Dreams. The facility has grown in 2024. There are four ballfields, concession stand and restrooms, storage buildings for maintenance equipment, children’s playground area and the new pavilion by the creek perfect for family reunions and special events.
The Field of Dreams has been developed to serve the Craig County community. There are opportunities to support the effort by volunteering at events and with organized teams. Volunteers have created the property with the leadership of Debbie Snead as advisor, Teresa Oliver, President and Sherri Sloss, sports director of the Craig County Recreations and Conservation Association (CCRCA).
There has been a flurry of activity this spring. The season had three T-ball teams with 30 children playing, two baseball teams with 30 children playing, and 3 softball teams with 40 children playing. Football starts in the fall in three age groups with 50 children already registered.
The community showed enthusiasm for the facility at April’s Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by the Craig County Rescue Squad. Participants found 2,000 eggs carefully hidden in the grass of the fields and had a wonderful experience.
There will be an Alumni Game fundraiser on Saturday, June 29. Gates open at noon and the game starts at 1 p.m. Hot dogs and hamburgers plus beer will be available, no outside coolers permitted. The event will support CCRCA (adults $5/kids $3) and invites the public to attend.
Work continues on the fourth field, dugouts and laying out the football/soccer field. Netting to put across the top of backstops to prevent fly balls from injuring players and families watching is an urgent need. There are upgrades for dugouts and two sets of aluminum team bleachers planned. Teresa Oliver shared “We also need picnic tables for the pavilion, handmade preferably by an individual wood craftsman, school or scout project.”
The work continues, with special thanks to Zack Taylor, for the maintenance and mowing man. “He takes a lot of pride in his work and does a wonderful job,” said Snead. Use of the Field of Dreams is free of charge to Craig County residents. To reserve the space for an event or to learn more about volunteering with CCRCA call 540.864.5047 or 540.580.4193.
