News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Upperman High School is renovating its baseball field and adding a new scoreboard in preparation for the 2024 season.
Upperman High School Athletic Director Ross Fanning said the school sits in a swampy area that has created drainage issues. Raising the field with new dirt will improve drainage and keep the school from having to cancel or move games anytime it’s wet, Fanning said.
“We want to play here,” Fanning said. “This is our baseball team, this is our school, we want our community to be here at our school and on our campus. We think it’s very important as far as the community goes that we want everything to be here.”
Fanning said that several years ago, field conditions forced the team to play home games off-campus. Fanning said help from parents, community volunteers, and the Putnam County Central Office has made the project possible.
Fanning said the new scoreboard the school has ordered will improve fan experience at games.
“It’s well deserved,” Fanning said. “Our baseball program is excellent and has grown tremendously. Not only our athletes that play baseball or coach, but our community deserves to have a working scoreboard when they come to our campus.”
Fanning said the biggest obstacle in the project has been money. Whether it be a brand-new scoreboard or dirt for the field, renovation isn’t cheap. Fanning said the school has received donations from the community but is looking for more to help finance the project. The Bees hosted the 2022 district and regional tournaments where they had a student operating a small scoreboard on the side of the field. Fanning said the community will be more likely to attend games now that they’re able to follow the game more easily with the new scoreboard.
“I think it’s good morale for our athletes too and our coach because it is well deserved that we have new things and we have our field prepped the way it needs to be and a new scoreboard,” Fanning said. “We’re continuing to grow our baseball and softball facility. I think it makes for a better experience for everybody.”
Fanning said the 2021 state champions and 2022 runners-up always have the community on their side when they need help.
“Whoever wants to come and pitch in and help, they are more than welcome to,” Fanning said. “We invite anybody who wants to help and do things of that nature.”
