THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 19, 1994 TAG: 9406170212
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 36 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, BEACON SPORTS EDITOR
DATELINE: 940619 LENGTH: Medium
The last few weeks have been full of such moments as Eastern Region and state teams have converged on the complex - their coaches, players and fans piling on the praises.
{REST} Nixon, the Cavaliers head softball coach, and Foster, an unpaid assistant, have plenty to be proud of.
The two have spent considerable hours - and more money than they care to think about - making their field arguably the nicest in the area.
During the off-season, the two grated and leveled the outfield after installing drainage and sprinkler systems. They built home and visitor dugouts, an outfield fence and a warning track.
For the infield, they brought in several tons of Turface - a claylike substance used for Harbor Park's infield. Batting cage mats were installed under the surface around home plate.
A batting cage is almost complete, and they are waiting for confirmation from a local businessman who might be donating an electronic scoreboard and flag pole for the center field fence.
We're talking serious improvements here. More so than Nixon ever dreamed of in his 10 years as coach.
``I've always thought Virginia Beach needed a quality facility,'' said Nixon, who has taught at Princess Anne for 22 years - a few of them as Foster's teacher.
``And our field was not in very good shape. In fact, it was terrible. Now people are talking about what a beautiful place this is.''
The project started out - as many do - quite modestly.
The two were at first only going to build dugouts. Then they considered working on the outfield. Before they knew it, the entire place was getting a face lift.
``We just thought, if you're going to do this, do it right,'' said Foster, a 1973 PA graduate and owner of Foster Corporation - a local building firm. ``I'd never built one before, but I used to be in landscaping and I think this one has come out pretty good.
``Some of the coaches who have talked to us have asked if we would help if they decided to do their fields.''
It has been a costly endeavor for the two.
Foster took advantage of some slack time and brought in some of his own work crews to help out. He used personal favors from several local contractors. Atomic Plumbing helped with the drainage and sprinklers. Stuart Electric helped wire the storage unit connected to the home team dugout.
Kempsville Building donated some materials, and members of a local Navy station helped with some labor.
The booster club donated some money, and a few parents held some fund-raising events, but the majority of money came out of the pockets of Nixon and Foster.
``I took out a personal loan for $5,000 to buy most of the fencing,'' Nixon said. ``I guess it has cost both of us about $15,000 with all things considered. And we spent an awful lot of time out here - every day for almost four months.''
But the effort has been more than worth the expense.
The site already has been chosen for next year's Eastern Region tournament.
``These two have done a great, great job with this place,'' Bayside coach Conrad Parker said. ``It's just fantastic. It's a great place to play softball.''
And plenty of it.
Nixon - the commissioner for NSA umpires and the organization's area tournament director - already has begun hosting play in an area fast-pitch summer league for girls.
The state NSA fast-pitch tournament for 18-and-under, 16-and-under, 14-and-under and 12-and-under divisions will be played at Princess Anne the weekend of June 25-26.
Nixon also plans to hold several adult women's slow-pitch events at the field.
``The great thing about the outfield fence is that it gives the ladies an opportunity to hit one out - something they haven't had around here,'' Nixon said, adding that only six in 18 games were hit out. ``We'd have to use a bigger ball for the adults, but it's still a good opportunity I think they'd all enjoy.''
And - thanks to Nixon and Foster - a great place to do it at.
by CNB