| Heisler Park Volunteers Win Clermont 20/20 'Salute to Leaders' Award
 "You're not going to find better fields anywhere in the county." Heisler Ball Park Trustee Lewis Taulbee says that's a fact. The trustees and volunteers at the Goshen Junior Sports fields say their fields are safe, the grass is well grown, and the dirt is constantly turned to keep it fresh. The trustees say they take pride in constantly maintaining and caring for their fields, and it's an effort that has not gone unnoticed. Recently, the volunteers of Heisler Ball Park were honored as Community Leaders at the annual Clermont 20/20 'Salute to Leaders' Banquet.
"The Board of Trustees believes in recognizing hard work of volunteers in our community. Heiseler Ball Park and its volunteers were a natural fit for the Clermont 20/20 Salute to Leaders award." Said Chairman of the Goshen Township Board of Trustees Mike Keeley.
An all volunteer crew of about 80 people run the operation of 35 teams, and upwards of 500 players ranging in age from 4 all the way to 18 years old. During their busy season, these volunteers can easily devote 30 to 40 hours a week at the field. Their only payment is the knowledge that they're giving children of all ages an opportunity to learn lessons not always taught in the classroom. They're teaching lessons in good sportsmanship and volunteerism, all while making sure the children have an athletic based way to keep busy. It inspires teamwork and relationship building as well. Volunteer Ruth Cupp says the fields offer youth a place to go and vent their emotions in a constructive way.
 The non- profit program is not just a loose affiliation of children with bats and gloves; it's much more organized. The players start out with coaching and instruction, and eventually graduate to a more mature team setting. Every year there is a schedule of games resulting in tournaments and playoffs, just like in the real world.
The volunteers don't stop after the 9th inning though. You can find them at the field clubhouse every Friday night hosting community wide BINGO, all in the efforts of raising cash to fund this operation. In their last fiscal year, the BINGO operation alone raised over $38,000 dollars.
The ballpark has been around since the late 1960's and is still growing. Currently the field has 10 baseball diamonds, but through the efforts of the volunteers the park plans to add 3 more diamonds soon.
" I grew up in Goshen. It's a tradition here, "Taulbee said, "I played ball here, now my kids play here. I hope they'll continue the tradition." |