Shiloh is bringing baseball back to home plate. Shiloh mayor Timothy Wireman and independent fundraiser Matt Blankenship are in the process of making many improvements.
“In the last 3 or 4 years, there’s not been much activity at the Shiloh baseball diamond,” stated Wireman. The trend in the last few years at the village of Shiloh has been to play baseball games in Plymouth. Refurbishment of the community’s field was started by small investment of $250 by the village for the three bases, according to the mayor. An electronic scoreboard with a controller is in the process of being refurbished too. As part of the improvements, the scoreboard is going “from blue and white, to a Fenway Park green,” said the mayor.
With new signage, bright yellow foul poles, and stadium lights already wired for evening games; Shiloh is now a place for teams to call ‘HOME’. “Our field is actually in good condition,” states Wireman, “We have new bases, and a new home plate soon to be anchored into the ground.”
Mennonite teams were already playing a non-competitive game with at least one home run, in which a player utilized the yellow tile tubing covering the chain-link fence. The player safely hoisted himself over to retrieve the softball, and leveraged himself back over that protective tile with ease. Blankenship was at the game, and mentioned the fact that the village paid for the helpful addition.
“To me, it’s a community park. Everybody is more than welcome,” stated Blankenship. “And I’ve went out and tried to get some donations.” People in this village are beginning to pull together for the cause. Blankenship’s efforts pulled a three hundred dollar donation from the fire department, and a four hundred dollar donation from a local business in Shiloh. With a donation made by a community-minded individual, Blankenship estimates he will have enough chalk to line the field for four years.
Blankenship sees plenty that could be accomplished for the baseball diamond this summer and next year. “I mean, look,” as he points out the bleachers, “they have to stand on picnic tables right now.” The women were mindfully watching the game, with loud cheers the moment every outfielder made a catch. “Plus, older people, when you go to T-ball games, they can’t climb up those things,” Blankenship stated. He is a T-ball coach for Shiloh and Plymouth boys. Blankenship looks to the concession stand and would also like to see funds raised to cover up graffiti, and add to new bleachers. He envisions the diamond having nice new dirt eventually. Meanwhile the players were busy kicking up dust, in the classic, American baseball way.
In the spirit of community, Blankenship also expressed a desire for shared responsibility for the field. He wants to see the coaches and players of all teams making the time to rake the bases and line the field. Considering how far Shiloh’s baseball diamond has come, the day’s final box score shows that everyone is a winner in this case.
You can join in and make a difference for the small community.
Contact mattb3559@gmail.com or mayor@thevillageofshilohohio.vpweb.com if you wish to donate to the field.
