Field of Dreams committee impacts youth, economy

VANDALIA – For any community the size of Vandalia, youth activities can have a significant impact on the town’s economy.

And while directly impacting the economy wasn’t the main objective when the Vandalia Field of Dreams committee formed four years ago, getting folks from out of town into this town has become one of the organizations’ biggest contributions.

Because of the committee’s drastic improvements to Vandalia High School’s baseball and softball diamonds, there have been numerous tournaments held in town in the past three years – including high school regional and sectional tournaments at both fields, college baseball tournaments, the Egyptian-Illini Conference baseball tournament and postseason Legion baseball tournaments.

“Those are tournaments that we probably don’t have without our fields,” said VFOD President Tom Lucken. “Tourism is the key to bring money to this town, and school activities and sports bring people and money to this town.

“When we have these tournaments, people come to town,” he said. “Our youth activities are important – not only for the youth, but also for the town.”

Providing the town’s youth with top-notch baseball facilities was the reason the committee was formed in 2009, and since then, the not-for-profit organization has exceeded its initial expectations.

In year one, committee members made improvements to four fields in town, placing several tons of dirt into the infields of both high school fields, the Pit and Kelly Field, while also adding new sod and an irrigation system to the baseball field.

The following year, the backstop and dugouts were replaced at the high school baseball field, making the field one of the best in the region. Additionally, new fencing was installed down the lines and a gravel warning track was placed around the entire field.

Vandalia Mutual Insurance a year later agreed to sponsor the naming rights to that field, likely due to the improvements and extra exposure.

Similar improvements were made to the high school softball field the next year, with a new backstop, dugouts, fence and warning track.

“The fields became more playable,” Lucken said. “Five or six years ago, if it rained a lot, you may not play for a few days.”

But with the two major goals completed in the first three years, the committee didn’t fold, instead continuing to make improvements.

In year four, the hitting shed between the high school fields was renovated, with the dirt floor replaced by concrete and artificial turf, and new hitting nets installed.

Additionally, a new scoreboard was purchased for the softball field, fence toppers were installed at the Pit and the Freight Field, and a scoreboard was donated to the Shed Field off of Ill. Route 185.

“We’ve accomplished quite a bit in a four-year period,” Lucken said. “You look at the major improvements, but remember that our money is based on donations and signs.

“We’ve done work on all four fields,” he said. “We have some of the finest facilities around, and we hear that from a lot of people.”

And committee members want those facilities to continue improving.

Short-term goals for VFOD include building bullpens at VMI Field and a pavilion by the concession stand before the spring seasons begin.

A power outlet is also expected to be installed by the breaker box at the VMI Field to assist with events held in the park, such as the recent Armed Forces Tribute.

Long-term goals include putting up an outfield fence at Kelly Field, finding more college tournaments to host and improving the lighting at both high school fields.

“We’re always looking to do more and more,” Lucken said.

Outside of physical improvements, the committee has also been active.

VFOD provides the vast majority of the maintenance work on both high school fields, has hosted a summer baseball camp the past two years, has sponsored college tournaments and, next year, will begin sponsoring the men’s slo-pitch softball league.

“We want to make it go, but we don’t want to do more than eight teams, because if we have more, we’ll be in a battle with the YMCA (youth teams) for the field,” Lucken said. “We’d like to go eight, where every team can play at least one night a week.”