All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

B-UHS Girls’ Softball’s ‘Field of Dreams’ inching closer to fruition

The ‘Field of Dreams’ B-UHS Girls’ Softball Field inches closer to completion thanks to a donation from Buckhannon Toyota of $5,000 Saturday. This brings the Phase 1 funding goal to 80 percent. Those attending the check presentation are pictured, from left, B-UMS Softball Girls Alyssa Abel and Katarah Linger, Buckhannon Toyota General Manager Kip Cottrill, 'Field of Dreams’ Committee Member Brett Robinson and B-UHS Girls’ Softball Coach Levi Bender.

BUCKHANNON – On Saturday, Buckhannon Toyota made a donation that’s helping move the Buckhannon-Upshur High School Girls’ Softball’s Field of Dreams project a little closer to fruition.

The Field of Dreams is a committee of concerned residents working to build a softball field at Buckhannon-Upshur High School for the girls’ team. Committee chairperson Brett Robinson said Saturday’s donation brings the total collected to 80 percent of the funds needed for Phase 1.

“This $5,000 donation will bring us closer to completing the ‘Field of Dreams,’ Robinson said. “So far, we have busted up some concrete, and now we have enough money to start construction of part of the infield and some of the fencing,” he said.

Robinson said the weather has not been very cooperative, but the committee has been coordinating with the contractor who will complete the work.

“The B-UHS Girls’ Softball team is currently in season,” Robinson said. “They are practicing and playing their home games on the Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School Softball Field. We will be building the field this summer – we were shooting for construction to begin in March or April, but the weather just has not cooperated.”

Robinson said the Field of Dreams Phase I goal was to collect $50,000.

“With this donation, we are 80 percent on the way to our Phase I goal,” Robinson said.

Two B-UMS Girls’ Softball Team members were at Saturday’s check presentation – Alyssa Abel and Katarah Linger. Robinson said the girls are in sixth and eighth grade and are likely to be some of the first girls who will be using the ‘Field of Dreams’ to play when they are in high school.

Alyssa and Katarah said they are thankful to everyone who is donating and helping make the ‘Field of Dreams’ a reality.

Buckhannon Toyota General Manager Kip Cottrill said as a business, Buckhannon Toyota tries to help with community needs, especially those relating to kids.

“We felt there was a real need for this in the county,” Cottrill said. “There is a shortage of athletic fields in the community and we thought it was time to help them out.”

Levi Bender, Buckhannon-Upshur High School Girls’ Softball Coach, said the Field of Dreams is a step in the right direction.

“When we get our own facility, there will be a bigger buy-in from the girls,” Bender said. “We will do a lot better and will have something to take pride in. It is a wonderful thing. I am very appreciative of anyone who is willing to help us out with this project. It is a major undertaking and takes a lot of [work].

“We are appreciative of our boosters and Brett for working on this. It has been something that is a long time coming and many people have helped out about this.”

Individuals, groups, organizations or businesses willing to help or donate to the “Field of Dreams” project can contact Robinson by calling 304-703-7625.

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