Built for $1.3 million, the ball park is part of the $96 million construction project Middletown voters approved three years ago. The district is renovating the high school and building a middle school on North Breiel Boulevard and used land that formally housed the high school baseball and softball diamonds, Zupka said.
The City of Middletown and the district swapped land: The district received Lefferson Park and the city received the former Roosevelt Elementary School property, said Sam Ison, the district superintendent.
He sees the Lefferson project as more than a sports complex.
It’s a vehicle to “bring the community” together and create activity to the park, which is near Pickleball courts, Elley’s Hope Playground and Berachah Church, Ison said.
“This is progress,” Ison said after the Opening Day ceremonies that were held under threatening skies. “We always talk about Middie Pride. This is Middie Pride.”
The high school baseball team was scheduled to open its season at home Monday, but the field wasn’t “safe” for play after the weekend’s rain storms so the game was moved to Hamilton, Zupka said.
Carmela Cotter, the high school principal, threw out the ceremonial first pitch on the softball diamond. Then Greg Schwarber, the city’s former police chief and father of Chicago Cubs standout Kyle Schwarber, threw out the first baseball pitch.
Zupka said there still is some work to be done. A new scoreboard will be erected at the softball field and there was no flag pole, so high school students held an American flag before the national anthem was sung by Middletown senior Zayion Hyman.
Zupka hopes the complex becomes “a breeding ground” for future baseball and softball players.
“To me, it’s more about what we can do for our community,” he said. “This will be a central point for building that.”
He said the district has discussed allowing Miami University Middletown, the YMCA and youth groups to also use the facilities.
The Middies will also play two other headline contests in premier venues this season.
On April 19, Middletown and Oak Hills are two of 84 local programs who will partake in the sixth annual 47-game Skyline Chili Cincinnati Reds Futures High School Showcase.
That game will be held at Legacy Field at Prasco Park in Mason at 7:30 p.m.
On April 24, the Middies return to the big stage as they’ll clash with GMC foe Lakota East at Fifth Third Field in Dayton at 7 p.m.
Excitement surrounding the Middies softball facility upgrades are at an all-time high too.
“Our new facility is a hallmark beginning for a new era in Middletown softball,” said head coach Tyler Callahan, whose squad lost to Lakota East 15-1 on Monday. “We are determined to take our program to new heights and keep it there consistently.”
On April 22 at noon, the Middies will also partake in the Skyline Chili Cincinnati Reds Futures High School Showcase.
“We’re excited to participate in the Skyline Chili Cincinnati Reds Showcase,” Callahan continued. “They’ve done an excellent job promoting the sport of softball, and we’re honored add our team to an impressive lineup of competition.”
Middletown will battle Seton at the P&G Cincinnati MLB Youth Academy located at 2026 E. Seymour Ave in Cincinnati.
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