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In Crown Point, the school district says a $3 million donation will transform the high school’s baseball and softball facilities. Planned improvements include brick dugouts, expanded stadium-style seating rather than bleachers, and new entrances, ticket booths, press boxes, lights, and walkways. Gathering spaces will be added so spectators can watch a game while eating at picnic tables or sitting on a grass berm beyond the outfield. School officials said work will likely be completed for the spring 2024 season, adding that construction will not impact this year’s home schedule. The news release said the donor, a graduate of Crown Point High School, wishes to remain anonymous at this time.
The district also said baseball fans may notice elements of the new design inspired by Chicago ballparks. The entrance booths are a nod to the old Comiskey Park entrance, the announcement said, and brick walls behind the outfield resemble Wrigley Field’s ivy walls. Additional details like the outfield scoreboard, vintage-theme light pole banners, and iron fencing echo classic Chicago baseball features.
Crown Point High School Athletic Director Bill Dorulla said the high school is beyond thankful for the donation. “This gift will have an amazing impact on our baseball and softball programs. We’re looking forward to watching the project unfold over the next year and creating a great place for our kids to play. Hosting other teams is also going to be a really special experience.”
Crown Point Community School Corporation superintendent Todd Terrill seconded Dorulla’s thoughts. “We’re already seeing some amazing projects throughout the district this year as part of our capital improvements, but this is a whole new level. To have this space for our families to enjoy and to illustrate what a great community Crown Point is, it’s fantastic.”
