Upgrades planned for East Dundee ball field
An East Dundee ball field will undergo a makeover this summer to become the home field for a new youth baseball and softball organization.
The property at the 310 E. Third St. - which includes Jockey Field - was purchased earlier this year by Otto Engineering President Tom Roeser, who is partnering with the leaders of two Algonquin-area baseball and softball programs to upgrade the space.
Renovations include replacing grass with artificial turf, repairing and expanding the bleachers, upgrading and adding batting cages, and improving the dugouts, he said.
The field would then be used by Illinois Premier Sports LLC, a new travel baseball and softball club that aims to provide high-quality coaching, training and facilities to players 9 to 18, co-owner Mike Gallo said.
"What those guys are trying to do, and what I support, is make a first-class baseball area that will draw people to the downtown," said Roeser, who has invested millions in downtown redevelopment.
Illinois Premier Sports is a collaboration between the Illinois Aces softball team and the existing Illinois E9 baseball training program, co-owner Rob Marczyk said.
Those teams would host tournaments and games at the East Dundee field, drawing crowds from throughout the suburbs, Gallo said, adding the Illinois Bash Softball Association might also use the field for tournaments.
"It's going to help the community - help East Dundee, the restaurants, the bars - and create an atmosphere of happy and good play," Gallo said.
The property, which also contains a house on the south end, had been family-owned for decades, Village President Lael Miller said. For years, he said, the Fox Valley Renegades Softball program used the field as per an agreement with the property owners.
"League baseball is a big thing, and lots of family come to enjoy that," Miller said. "I think that by bringing in people who may not be from the area, that would do nothing but enhance the businesses in the downtown."
In addition to field renovations, an adjacent structure is expected to be transformed into a small, concession stand-style restaurant with indoor and patio seating, Gallo said. It will only operate while the field is in use.
The house at the south end of the property will also be demolished, turned into a grassy area and used as overflow parking, Roeser said.
In the future, Gallo said, Illinois Premier Sports owners also hope to build more fields and a 17,000-square-foot indoor training facility that could be used year-round, though Roeser said he's unsure such a facility would pay off financially.
The group is working to obtain the appropriate village permits for the renovations, Roeser said, and they have yet to officially name the field. So far, Illinois Premier Sports leaders are investing roughly $100,000 in the renovations, Roeser said, while he is serving as "a catalyst to make this happen" by helping them financially. Local businesses, including Home Depot, have also offered to donate supplies.
The goal, Gallo said, is to complete renovations by August in time for the fall season.
"We want to create a family atmosphere with the amenities of professional play," he said. "We're excited for this. It's going to be great for the community and for sports alone."