Building a diamond in the rough a labor of love in Milton

MILTON - "It takes a village to raise a child" ... and build a ballfield where that child can play.

The sentiment behind the timeless proverb, rooted in African culture and community, is in full bloom in Milton this fall as community and school leaders, students, athletes, Boy Scouts, businesses and just regular townsfolk are working together - shoulder to shoulder - to build a softball field for Nute High and Junior High players, all without any taxpayer money.

According to John Katwick, a member of the Softball Field Renovation Committee, about $50,000 has been raised in funding, donated time, labor and services, but the committee is looking to raise another $30,000 for improvements before the first pitch is thrown next spring.

The field has already been carved out neatly behind the Milton Elementary School on grounds formerly only occasionally used as a landing spot for Medflights to Boston or Portland hospitals.

Looking out from home plate at the Nute High and Junior High softball Field.

Now framed by forests behind where the outfield fences will be built and MES, the field has a cozy feel that the teams will love, committee members agree.

The fencing is one of the few remaining big-ticket items that still have to be financed, so the committee has decided to schedule some fund-raisers, the first of which will be a spaghetti supper on Wednesday at the Nute High cafeteria.

The supper will also include garlic bread, salad and a dessert for a suggested donation of $5 for adults, $3 for children.

In addition, Katwick will be putting up fund-raising signs in front of MES and at the downtown Veterans Park next week to keep the community apprised of the ongoing effort.

The backstop and the fencing, which will ring the entire ballfield, is expected to cost almost $17,000, while other improvements necessary include insulation for irrigation already installed, two concrete slabs for dugouts (about $2,500) and a scoreboard.

Committee members on Thursday discussed other fund-raising options, including seeking donations from nearby businesses and corporations, while at the same time acknowledging the many who have already contributed.

It was also learned on Thursday that Milton Boy Scouts will be building the dugouts.

Meanwhile, other local businesses that have helped with equipment, labor, material and money include Perkins Concrete of Rochester, Can Brothers of Middleton, Sebastian Septic, Eastern Boat, Milton VFW, Currier Plumbing, Paey Construction, the Milton Moose, Barron Brothers, including driver Tim Lund, Spartan Mechanical LLC, Teneriffe Sports Club and Gilford Well.

It should also be noted that many of the local businesses and benefactors have chosen to remain anonymous, including one who has donated more than $20,000 in equipment and material over several months and another who donated $4,200 on Thursday.

"If we can just help one child and can keep them involved by playing sports, it's worth it," said Fred Cameron of Milton, summing up the collective feeling of committee members regarding the project.

Wednesday's spaghetti supper begins at 6 p.m.

If anyone would like to arrange a donation or find out how to join the cause, contact Milton Rec Director Karen Brown at recreation@miltonnh-us.com or (603) 652-4501 ext. 8.