Banquet to be held to fund Aiken High field renovations
For many, it's a field of dreams. For others, making improvements to the baseball field at Aiken High School is a dream come true.
"The facilities needed to be improved," said James Whittle, a youth baseball coach and a partner with Johnson, Johnson, Whittle & Snelgrove, P.A.
Whittle, along with other parents of Aiken High School players and additional members of the community, came up with a plan to make renovations to the facility and field. That plan was recently approved by the Aiken County School Board, along with a motion that the field be named to honor B. Henderson Johnson Jr., a well-known community baseball leader.
Henderson Johnson Field is expected to be ready for the Hornets by opening day of this season. The improvements and additions that baseball players and fans can expect include:
SBlt A reconditioned infield to improve the playing surface
SBlt Removal of the chain-link fence behind home plate, replacing it with netting that will allow spectators to have better sight lines and save a few balls from becoming souvenirs
SBlt A concrete pad that will run from the third to first base dugout, which will partially serve as a walkway and also a place to set bleachers
SBlt A Hornet Walk, which will be constructed of donated bricks to honor former players and contributors
"It's the thought of being able to do something to help the community. It's a great baseball community," said Whittle, who added that the improvements will make the baseball facility more fan friendly and better accessible for the disabled.
There are also tentative plans to improve the hitter's eye and cover the batting cages in the future. Thus far, only the work on the infield has been completed.
Whittle said the total cost for all of the work is estimated around $30,000. All of the money for the improvements has or will come from donations. No taxpayer or education funding has been directed toward the project.
"None of this money is tax money. It's all donated," Whittle emphasized. "We've got about $15,000 so far."
Even people who struggle with math can figure out that that leaves Whittle and company halfway short of their goal. To acquire the rest of funding, the baseball group is reaching out to the community for help.
There are three primary ways the group is trying to raise money. The first is a continuation of the direct contributions that have already been made. The second will be through selling bricks - at varying donation levels - for the Hornet Walk. Finally, a banquet will be held Feb. 12 at Newberry Hall to recognize Aiken High School players - past and present - and formally name the field in honor of Johnson.
"Anybody who wants to help us, we're glad to have them," Whittle said of the banquet which is $25 per ticket and open to the public. "We will honor some people and raise a little money."
For Johnson's part, he's still a little stunned to receive such an honor.
"I'm humbled by it. I don't know if I deserve it," said Johnson, who spent 35 years coaching and umpiring youth baseball in Aiken. "I stayed with Aiken youth baseball a long, long time."
According to Whittle, who practiced with Johnson at the law firm he founded for more than 30 years, the honor is well deserved.
"He's been very instrumental in baseball in Aiken and been a very dedicated guy," Whittle said of his mentor. "He's the best."
Johnson has been recognized for his contributions as a two-time recipient of the Pony League World Series Sportsmanship Award and has been inducted into the Aiken County Sports Hall of Fame. He also had a fair amount of success as a coach.
"I had five teams go to World Series play," Johnson said. "We never could claim we won a World Series, but we had a lot of fun trying."
Johnson will also have the distinction of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the Hornets' home opener.
"I hope I can get it across the plate," Johnson said. "I've been through it all with Aiken baseball. But this makes my heart feel good."
Contact Noah Feit at nfeit@aikenstandard.com.
IF YOU GO
What: Aiken High School baseball banquet
When: 6:30 to 9 p.m. Feb. 12
Where: Newberry Hall
Tickets are $25 per person and should be ordered through Bill Clifton (642-3704), Bobby Maddrey (640-8926), Vince Maivelett (215-8577) or James Whittle (649-5338).
Hornet Walk sponsorship levels
Former Aiken High Baseball player
$100 4x8 engraved brick in Hornet Walk
Double Sponsor
$250-$499 4x8 engraved brick in sponsor section
Triple Sponsor
$500-$999 8x8 engraved brick in sponsor section
Home Run Sponsor
$1,000 and up 12x12 engraved brick in sponsor section