NEW BUFFALO — With the New Buffalo Area Recreational Authority, a joint task force between City of New Buffalo and New Buffalo Area Schools, moving forward with improving the baseball and softball fields at Oselka Park, new ideas are popping up for the continued use of these facilities.
NBAS Superintendent Adam Bowen introduced the Summer College Baseball League proposition to the Board of Education during the March 10th meeting, supported by NB residents Brian Williams and Tom Rowland.
Williams, a baseball scout for the Texas Rangers, and Rowland, a former summer college baseball player himself, both have children who attend NBAS, and are excited to give this idea life for the community.
“As we consider the long-term vision for this project, we anticipate implementing these improvements in phases, and we are fortunate to have some individuals that are committed to making significant financial contributions to the NBAS Foundation,” said Bowen. “It’s important to be strategic with these contributions and maximize our investments.”
The evaluation of the field in its current condition supports the idea of restructuring to make the in-field turf, and keeping the outfield natural grass. This hybrid approach will accommodate all age groups that use the field, benefitting JV and Varsity at NBAS, as well as younger teams through community programs.
This change would cut down on costly maintenance of the field, such as reconstructing batters boxes, routine mowing, irrigation, and dragging/raking/lining the field. Relocating home plate is also on the to-do list, allowing baseball and softball fields to “share a common backstop, enabling spectators to watch both games at once”, along with shared facilities such as restrooms and concessions.
“In the springtime, many of our games are postponed due to the weather, but a turf field, with an advanced draining system, will allow more playability in challenging conditions,” said Bowen. “Bringing in a Summer College Baseball League will enhance and grow our own baseball program, allowing our students to participate in all aspects, like sports broadcasting and radio production.”
Williams praised New Buffalo Area Schools for being “the shining light in this community,” and said he agrees that the idea of bringing this summer league to the area will only increase community involvement in the school district.
“This team could partner with NBAS, using the students for media relations, teaching them about the business side of sports, offering real life experiences for our students headed to college,” said Williams. “All of these league games are streamed live, so we’d have the need for camera operators, and opportunities for classes to hold fundraisers during games.”
With no high school sports during the summer, the college baseball league would utilize the enhanced new fields in June and July,.
“A project like this requires coordination and support from both the school and the city, so we are definitely just in the planning phase,” said Rowland. “We wanted to just throw out our vision and go from there.”
Williams added that there are a few leagues in the region who have expressed interest in this market, being so near to Chicago.
The athletes involved in summer college baseball leagues would stay with local host families, and would put on baseball camps and clinics for the community. A collaboration like this would bring revenue to the businesses of New Buffalo, and the partnership between the school and the league would guarantee income via the leasing of the fields.
The project would take a couple of years to come to fruition, with “opening day” not happening until the summer of 2027.
“This is an interesting opportunity, let’s continue to discuss it and see where we can go with it,” said Board President, Lisa Werner.
The Board of Education on March 10 also heard from Transportation Director Tom Whitsel, about the stellar job his drivers are doing this school year. With 10 van routes and 7 main bus routes everyday, the transportation department is putting in the miles.
“More students have requested transportation this year than previous years,” Whitsel said. “We added 58 riders to our routes just this year.”
School buses make up the largest mass transportation system in the U.S., as buses are the safest way to travel. “Buses are designed to soak up damage and injury, so that our students don’t,” added Whitsel.
He was also excited to announce that one driver, John Riley, will be competing in the Van Buren ISD 60th Annual School Bus Road-eo in April.
New Buffalo Area Schools Daycare Director Kate Nicolai summarized her time at the National Association for the Education of Young Children public policy forum in D.C., thanking the school board for “seeing the need for daycare in our community, and showing up for our residents.”
“I talked to some of our legislators about expanding the child independent care tax credit, because it affects a lot of people, both on the parental side and the educator side,” said Nicolai. “The average cost for one infant in independent child care per year is $22,000. I am interested in diving into the tax credits more (for the district).”
Nicolai spent three days in D.C. with like minded individuals and their ongoing “efforts in voicing the importance of investing in high quality experiences for young children and elevating the early childhood profession.” She will attend the Michigan Forum in Grand Rapids in April.
The Board also approved four grant applications for the Bison Preserve Planned Unit Development, and thanked Miss Jeanne Przystup for 24 years at NBAS, congratulating her on her retirement this June.
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