Renovations to Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District’s Lyndon Field Softball Complex all started with a letter from families. They urged Superintendent Peter Smith and the district to approve a Swing for the Fences campaign to support much needed and desired improvements to the complex. That letter was received two years ago.
“To bring a project like this to fruition requires vision, a plan, execution, and follow through. In addition to the families behind the Swing for the Fences campaign there was one person in particular who had a vision of what this project could accomplish. Our former business administrator Tim Decker was a driving force behind making this project happen. Unfortunately, we lost Tim in 2022 after a short illness. Tim would have loved to be here today,” shared Superintendent Peter Smith.
Thanks to Tim’s financial forethought and planning, dozens of community members, J-D softball players, administrators, students, staff and more gathered Tuesday, April 9 to celebrate the results of everyone’s hard work and dedication. The district was thrilled to host an Opening Ceremony to show off the completed renovations which include new dugouts, fencing, bleachers, and an improved batting cage.
Special thanks to J-D Senior Alex Bronchetti for singing the National Anthem. The ceremony featured a special flag at center field in honor of Liam Zoghby and his family. The 22-year-old J-D High School graduate and Syracuse University student passed away on January 12. The flag was previously flown over the United States Capital on February 6, 2024 in Liam’s honor.
Superintendent Peter Smith, Board of Education President Joe Gross, Athletic Director Fred Wheeler, and Varsity Softball Team Captains Kaira McMahon, Amanda Aitken, and Emily Bulone gave moving remarks and special thanks to everyone who helped make the project a reality before a ribbon cutting and ceremonial first pitch.
The focus of the ceremonial first pitch was to celebrate the past, present, and future of softball at Jamesville-DeWitt. Class of 2017 graduate MacKenzie Keeler pitched in honor of those who played in the past. Sophomore Savannah Schnorr pitched in honor of her current teammates. Sixth-grader Asha Viswanathan pitched in honor the Jamesville-DeWitt Little League and the future of the program.
“It’s amazing to think about the Jamesville-DeWitt history here. The renovations provide a modern field complex that will be utilized by J-D softball players from little league through high school for years to come,” said Smith.
The renovation was part of phase 2 of the district’s Capital Project. District residents approved the $33 million project back in December 2019. It was largely funded by state building aid. The Jamesville-DeWitt Varsity Softball team along with dedicated coaches, families, and community members also helped raise over $64,000 for the project through the Swing for the Fences campaign. They presented the check to the Board of Education in April 2023.
The full scope of the project and financial details are outlined on the district website.
