The result. . . a new and improved Runde Park.
 

 

Joey Blethen, who helped coordinate the effort along with Bobby Evans, Todd Baker and Evan Helms, says that "a group of about 35 dedicated parents and coaches came out on February 21 to help out. The goal was simple.  We want to provide the children in our program with the best playing fields possible." 
 
Efforts included:

• New restrooms were constructed
• New screening (small crushed rocks) were added to the outside of the fields
• A new pitching mound was built
• All humps were removed from Runde's Little League Infield
• New sod was laid all around the Little League Field and the Advanced T-ball Field
• Excess dirt was removed to ensure a smooth playing surface
• New netting was hung for the batting cage
• Bleacher seats were replaced and new bases were added. 

While there is great appreciation for all the volunteers that came out, Joey points out the individual contributions of Mike Weisinger, Ed Davis, Nick Thomas, Tom Brown, Todd Baker, Evan Helms and Bobby Evans of Carolina Landscaping.  "These guys came back after the official work day to help complete projects that were ongoing," says Joey. Other volunteers that came out include: Danielle Weisinger, Chris Griffin, Mike Miller, Dave Cessna, Keith Reddeck, Stacey Kuhn, Kim Brown, Peter Bogert, Kim Bogert, Jen Stalford, Emily Jaeckli, Rolf Jaeckli, J.P. Ippolitto, Chris Pattinson, Goff Finn, Dwane Burkhart, and James Stevens. (Note if your name was omitted please accept our apology and let us know.  In hind sight, we should have established a sign-in sheet.)
 
While the volunteers are proud to have completed so much work, they also would like to express the need to respect their efforts by calling on the entire community to help keep the field in good shape.  "Thirty five friends of the program went above and beyond - donating hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars to provide all the children in Tega Cay with the best baseball field possible.  I now challenge the other 450 families participating in our baseball program to take pride in their generosity and keep this park looking great," says Joey.  Tom Brown adds, "Those are our fields and our volunteers worked hard to give the citizens a better place to play. Treat them like you owned them and watch for people that do not respect our property." 
 
Specifically, Joey challenges the community to:

• Go above and beyond to pick up trash when it's lying on the ground, even if it's not yours. 
• Ask people to NOT walk their dogs on the field. 
• Not practice on fields when practice was cancelled by parks and rec.  Practice was cancelled for a reason - to maintain the integrity of the fields.
• Report vandals to the police. 
• Appreciate the efforts of the volunteers by taking pride in our program.