Douglas High softball field gets facelift heading into final weeks

While the Douglas High softball team got some time off from gameplay last week, the Lady Tigers' home park has been under some minor renovations.

Parents from the team organized a fundraising effort earlier this season to replace the aging bleachers behind the backstop and the new bleachers were installed last week.

"It was a relatively quick type of thing," Douglas coach Andy Mitchell said. "Mike Gilbert spearheaded the project and the parents went out and raised the money to do this.

"The new bleachers look great. They're supposed to hold between 100 and 120 people so it definitely upped our capacity."

A half-wall was constructed in the opening of the Tigers' dugout as well to provide some extra protection for players sitting inside.

"We had some concerns about the players safety-wise and having the block there will also help keep some of the dust out that is always blowing in there."

Douglas will get to debut the improvements for possibly its biggest series of the season as the Tigers host No. 4 Manogue in a doubleheader beginning at Thursday at 2 p.m.

"It's a big series to show off our new field for," Mitchell said. "Manogue has been doing well. They have two strong pitchers and that'll keep you in every game. We spent a lot of time on our hitting last week because we are going to see good pitching."

Donations for the improvements came from Big George Ventures, Vidler Water, Mike and Angel Gilbert, John and Patti Snyder, Dan Evans Homes, Bing Contstruction, Ken Trumpower, Andy Garcia, Ken Olsen, Montclare Painting, Tod Harper, Wes Duryee, Kelly Moore and Dick's Fuller O'Brien. Ernie Monfiletto coordinated the installation of the bleachers.