Play Ball: Baseball Diamonds to Get an Update

The boys — and girls — of summer will soon have a new place to play.

On Wednesday, village trustees voted to approve a $143,832 project to update two baseball diamonds at to allow older ballplayers to use the fields.

The contract was awarded to George’s Landscaping of Joliet, the lower of two bidders on the project. The work will extend two existing baseball diamonds from 60- to 70-foot bases and 80- to 90-foot bases, respectively.

During a preliminary budget presentation last month, Director of Parks and Recreation Kelly Rajzer said the larger fields will allow more local baseball players, particularly teens ages 14 and older, to use the Romeoville park.

Currently, several teams either have to leave the community or vie for space elsewhere to practice and play games, she said.

“This would definitely solve the issues we’re running into,” Rajzer told trustees last month. “Right now, we’re at the mercy of the school district … We can use their field when they’re not on it.”

Trustee Brian Clancy said the project will keep local teams in the village.

“It’s going to keep a lot of the youth in town, rather than going to other towns,” he said.

“They’re our kids,” Rajzer said last month. “We want them to stay here and play here.”

Board OK’s concessions vendor

In other recreation news, the village board chose Premier Concessions to provide food and drink for activities at , and .

In exchange for the right to sell food and beverages at games and events, the company must pay the village a $2,500 license fee, plus a $1,000 security deposit.

The contract begins April 11 and ends Nov. 15.