Baseball devotees restore field near youth center Published Sept. 29, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Artemy Shpakovsky Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- A jamboree is scheduled to happen Oct. 3 on a restored baseball field near the David C. Jones Youth Center here. This field was renovated recently by a group of Airmen from the 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. "We were playing baseball on the grass, and then I noticed there was a real baseball field near us, even though it was in pretty bad shape," said Tech. Sgt. Paul E. Nixon Jr., 5th AMXS electronic warfare element chief. The field was not renewed on a yearly basis. Over time, its condition worsened, and the field became almost unnoticeable. "The field was last reconstructed about three years ago," said Ronda J. Knutson, youth center activities director. "We move the field, but since there was no show of interest in game of baseball from people on base, there was not a lot of concern with some parts of the field going to waste." Sergeant Nixon took the initiative of reconstructing the field. He contacted his first sergeant and the representatives at the youth center. He also called for volunteers to reconstruct the field from various units on base. "About 20 people from the 5th AMXS participated in the reconstruction," he said. "Even my wife and kids helped." The reconstruction began on Aug. 10 and continued through Aug. 15. On Aug. 16 volunteers were able to play an organized baseball game. "We went down there after work and on weekends," said Sergeant Nixon. "It didn't cost us anything, really - just time and energy." The volunteers had received the help they needed from the youth center, which was in charge of the field. The youth center provided the volunteers with some equipment essential to reconstruction of the field. "We gave them the tools, like shovels and rakes, and also provided them with a key to the field and equipment which could be used for the game," said Knutson. After completing the much needed repairs, Airmen continued on to their next goal. "We are planning on having a meeting with the sports representative, so we can get some flyers about an open baseball field out to Airmen on base," Sergeant Nixon said. "Right now, the only other option most Airmen have is softball, but most people will surely switch if they had an opportunity to play baseball instead." The field is intended to be used by all Airmen on base - it is made so anybody who is interested in playing baseball again can go out there and experience the game. "At first, only the people who volunteered played on the field; now, pretty much the whole 5th AMXS is playing down there," said Sergeant Nixon. "We are going to try and set up a jamboree Oct. 3, to make people aware that the ballfield is open and ready to be utilized again," said Sergeant Nixon. The finished project is not the only thing Sergeant Nixon and his comrades have set their eyes on repairing. "There is another baseball field, a little bigger than the one near the Youth Center," Sergeant Nixon said. "But it's in a lot poorer state, too." The volunteers already have plans for next summer. They are going to try and set a few baseball teams composed of people from the different squadrons on base. "We want to attempt to have an actual baseball season," said Sergeant Nixon. "Of course, this would depend on the amount of people interested." The main goal set by the volunteers now is not only to give everybody an opportunity to participate in a game of baseball, but to present them with something to occupy themselves. "We hope to raise the morale of people on base," Sergeant Nixon said. "Baseball is one of those things people of all ages can play. But most are usually young: Airmen to staff sergeants; and this will add to the list of things they can do." For more information, call youth center at 723-2838.