Schroeder Park improvements underway as ball season nears

    Baseball and softball seasons are just around the corner, and workers are completing major improvements at Schroeder Park, where games for younger players are scheduled.
    New lights and fencing, as well as an upgrade to the park’s south field, are in the plans for completion before games start in a few weeks.
    At least it’s hoped most will be done before games start, said Public Works Supt. Pat Davison.
    All the new light poles are up, and new fixtures installed for the north and south fields.
    Davison said the new lights aren’t in yet for the west (middle) field, but it’s hoped they can be yet this spring.
    Anderson Fencing is completing work for installation of all new fencing, about 3,500 feet of it, on all three fields, in addition to the backstops and around dugouts.
    Both the north and south fields have 900 feet of new outfield fencing around each of them.
    The larger west field required 1,035 feet of fence.
    That doesn’t include fencing for the backstops and dugout areas.
    Dura-Edge, a Colorado firm, is contracted to upgrade the south ball field, and is scheduled to start work May 16, Davison said.
    The grass infield will be removed, and replaced with a new dirt surface and leveled.
    Davison said their work is expected to take 7 to 10 days, and if they arrive on schedule, it should be done by the time games start.
    “But it’s on their schedule,” he said.
    The south field improvements, at a cost of $108,500, will also make it a regulation field for high school girls’ softball, he added.
    The Chase County Schools softball team plays its home games at Schroeder in the fall, using the west field in the past.  
Team signup closes May 1
    Cody Cravey was hired as the city’s summer recreation director, which includes coordinating the ball teams and schedules.
    He said final date for parents to sign up youths to play on Imperial teams this summer is May 1. Forms are available at the city office, but he encourages online signup at imperial-ne.com.
    Cost per player is $65 which includes the team jersey and ball cap.
    Imperial will compete in the Tri County League again this season in its boys and girls T-Ball, boys and girls Pony, Pee Wee boys and junior girls softball divisions.
    Check the city website for signup information and age parameters for teams.