Anson’s Field of Dreams receives $100,000 in state funding

POLKTON — Thanks to efforts made by commissioner Jamie Caudle and state senator Dave Craven, $100,000 has been granted to the Field of Dreams Anson Athletic Youth Association from the state budget.

President Eric Howell spearheads the non-profit organization whose touted mission is to provide opportunities and exposure for athletes while competing at the highest levels in youth baseball, serving youth ages 3-12 years old, for over twenty years. Howell works hand-in-hand with Field of Dreams secretary, Kelly Sheppard.

“Over the last few years we completed a massive list of improvements and additions. If you had come out here three years ago you would not recognize it,” shares Sheppard with pride.

She adds that both her and Howell hope the community sees, “Hey, look at what we have done, look at what we have proven to the state legislatures. We have the Anson Pride sign up on the hill, that has been there since we opened, it is all about that and we are literally building this on the pride of Anson, it is what caught the state legislatures attention and they are really leaning into that.”

“We really appreciate the state seeing what we are doing and wanting to be a part of it,” Howell said. “We want to make sure the community knows that the grant money in no way overshadows the continued gratitude we feel for all of our local donors and volunteers,” said Eric Howell.

2023 saw a lot of needed improvements come to the facility through donations and hard-working volunteers.

“We remodeled both the men and women’s bathrooms, paying $8,000 dollars, but without donor and volunteers would have cost around $35,000. Everything was ripped out and replaced with all new sinks, toilets, and a new paint job,” Sheppard said.

A second batting cage and a much anticipated storage building was also erected.

“The constructed on the new storage building, had it not been donated, would have cost us $16,000 dollars,” remarks Howell, with gratitude.

Previous grant money allowed the facility to add field lights, signs, and batting cages, all for about $11,000.

In addition to their upgraded flower beds, the non-profit organization has also upgraded field grooming equipment as well as a field irrigation system.

“The field irrigation system was funded by the county commissioners”, points out Howell appreciatively. “Through the economic development fund so that we could encourage tournaments coming.”

The Field of Dreams also found they had to replace one of their AC units last year, with another needing replacement this spring.

“That was a forced improvement,” painfully recalls Howell of the $8,000 spent on a new unit.

“Our teams and banners were fully sponsored. Even crazier, we had about $75,000 dollars for our All Star teams, divisions combined,” stated Sheppard.

Sheppard recalls when she heard the organization would be receiving the grant; Chairman Caudle called and said, “Kelly do you think you could use this $100,000 dollars for anything?” remembers Sheppard. “I immediately called Eric and he thought I was joking.”

“I hope the community sees this as a big shout out to them. The state is seeing what they are doing for our kids and they want to contribute as well. This was truly started by the donors, those that have given of their time, money, and abilities,” shared both Howell and Sheppard.

“We would like to use the money for a playground for the little siblings of our players and also a small splash pad because we are out here in the heat of the day. We are looking at creating a space that we can use year around, completely covered if not enclosed, so that our players can use it if it is raining outside,” shared Howell.

“All of those projects could go upwards of $100,000. Playground equipment alone is unreal,” laments Sheppard.

AAYA offers wee-ball, t-ball, softball, and baseball. The organization believes in promoting discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship, honesty, and integrity both on the field and in life. Registration for the 2024 year has begun. Teams are completely sponsored, so uniforms are included with the registration fee.

The non-profit organization is always in need of volunteers and donations from community donors to keep the fields running like a dream.

“It is kind of funny, but over twenty-five years ago they named this place the Field of Dreams. I think if you watch the movie you know the line, ‘If you build it they will come,’ and that had definitely been proven. Not only are they coming, the kids are working hard and they have a lot of pride. Some of these kids played eighty games last year… they love it and there are a lot of kids that could not play without our communities support. We have the best facility in our district hands down,” brags Sheppard.