PTC Council earmarks land for special needs baseball field

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

Land has been set aside for a special needs baseball field at Peachtree City's baseball and softball complex on Ga. Highway 74 south.

At its meeting last week, the City Council unanimously approved a proposal to earmark the field for the special needs complex proposed by local resident Nick Harris, who is the commissioner of the city's Challenger League. Harris said the "Field of Hope" would be constructed with money from donations, and he estimated that approximately $600,000 would need to be raised.

Harris said he hopes the field will be ready to play on by the spring of 2002.

The field would be the size of a little league field and would have a flat padded astroturf to allow the players to maneuver easier, Harris said. When it rains even a little, games have to be cancelled because children in walkers and wheelchairs can't handle the terrain, he added.

Maintenance of the field would involve brushing off the water when it rains, Harris said.

The field would be similar to one in Conyers which was the first-ever special needs baseball field built in the country, Harris said.

Currently, some special needs youths in Peachtree City travel elsewhere to participate in baseball, he added.

"There are 2,300 [disabled] children in Fayette County, and currently I have only 30 players," Harris said. "We have some kids in Fayette County going to play in Conyers."

The youths play with "buddies" who help them field, bat and throw the ball, Harris said.

The field could also be used by the city's little league teams, Harris added.

Harris's proposal also included construction of concession stands that will be handicapped accessible with lower service windows.

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