Kidsports field work rolls along

With field construction under way and fundraising nearly complete, the first pitch on the most unique field at Kalispell's Kidsports Complex may be just months away.

The field will feature a rubberized surface on an asphalt base, creating a smooth, safe place for people with physical and mental disabilities to play baseball, soccer and other sports.

Early estimates provided by the local United Way office suggest that about 600 people in the greater Flathead Valley will benefit from the special field, Kidsports President Dan Johns said.

"That's surprisingly larger than we expected, but it's good, because that's more people we can help," he said.

The special field is one of seven new fields under construction at Kidsports. Backstops are being completed on four new Pee Wee baseball fields and two new softball fields, which will be seeded when the weather begins to cooperate this spring.

When all seven are finished, Kidsports will have 30 fields - including the only field in the state designed specifically for people with disabilities.

"It's unique. It's the only one in Montana," Johns said. "Hopefully it will open the door for others to do the same thing."

The field is modeled after the Miracle League complex in Conyers, Ga., which features a specially designed field with rubberized turf. Since that first Miracle League field appeared in April 2000, similar fields have been built across the country.

The field will cost about $300,000 to build, said Nancy Manning of Rotary Club of Kalispell.

Her club has been instrumental in raising money for the Kidsports field. Thanks to a matching grant from Rotary International, Kalispell Rotary has raised $216,000.

Their next fundraising venture is a repeat performance by Terry Fator, a comedian, ventriloquist and winner of last year's "America's Got Talent."

When Fator performed in Kalispell in July 2007 to raise money for the field, he said he wanted to come back and do another show, Manning said.

"We thought, we bet he wants to, but we bet he won't have time," she said. "He made time because it's so important to him."

All proceeds from Fator's show, which takes place at 7:30 p.m. June 3 at the Christian Center, will go toward the field, Manning said. Tickets are $35 for general admission or $79 for a meet-and-greet session. Tickets will be available in May at all Glacier Bank locations.

"If that goes well, chances are really good that will push us past our goal," Johns said. "That, on top of what Kidsports already had, means we're going to finish that field."

Crews have finished the field's gravel base, which will be encircled by a cement curb. Concrete curbing is necessary so the asphalt that will be laid across the gravel won't drift, Johns explained. Because the rubber surface is glued over everything, similar to laying carpet, it's important to have a steady, stable base.

The special surface, which was manufactured by a company in Illinois, already has arrived. The Kidsports contract with the company calls for the field's completion by Aug. 1, Johns said.

After that, the field will need a little time for the glue to set; then it will need to be striped. Kidsports and Sherry Stevens Wulf of United Way are planning a grand opening, Johns said, but as of yet, no date has been set.

When it opens, people of all ages will be able to use the field.

The other Kidsports fields are intended for children through the 12th grade, Johns said, but "with this field, we're not looking at a similar restriction."

"It doesn't make sense to just arbitrarily pick an age limit and just cut it off," he said.

Similar fields across the country serve adults as well as kids, he added. Last fall, he spoke with a Wisconsin man whose community had completed a special field over the summer.

The man told Johns he'd driven by the field one Sunday and watched a father and son using it.

"It really warmed his heart," Johns said. "It was a young boy pitching to his dad - and dad was in the wheelchair."

He hopes the Kalispell field will be able to serve similar families.

"It has a lot of potential," he said.

Reporter Kristi Albertson may be reached at 758-4438 or by e-mail at kalbertson@dailyinterlake.com.