Hello friends,
We are the volunteer board members governing the State College Area Teener League and the use and upkeep of the ball fields located at the Louis E. Silvi Baseball Complex in Ferguson Township, PA. Each of us are lifelong baseball players, coaches, and fans that support local organizations like Teener Baseball, Happy Valley HEAT, The Penn State Baseball Club, Centre Sluggers, Centre Hardballers, and the baseball program at Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy. We are committed to providing a safe and fun baseball experience for enthusiasts all across Centre County. It is our pleasure to put time and energy into the ongoing operation of our facility, but at this time we need your help to keep the Silvi Complex a destination for baseball fans of all ages.
In recent years, we have been reaching modest milestones annually in our quest to revamp our ballfields and facilities. Thanks to so many volunteers, donors, the Penn State Turf Management Program, and support from our local municipality, we've been able to tackle many challenges and continue to improve the safety and environment of the complex. Some of these improvements include:
- Fully renovated bathrooms and concession stand
- Secured sponsorships with Blaise Alexander and McQuaide Blasko to install two new scoreboards
- Replaced or repaired much of the fencing around the complex
- Replaced or repaired two dugout roofs along with both sets of bleaches on Spectrum Field
- Installed one new batting cage (one more planned)
- The picture gallery on this post shows some of the work that has been done on both fields
We also started using a special clay/sand infield dirt mix combined with conditioner to help control the moisture levels on the fields. The infield dirt is the same being used at most MLB ballparks along with Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Additionally, we've started using laser leveling techniques to help create a safer playing surface for the ball players, and we hope to further these efforts on Spectrum Field in the coming weeks.
This fall we aim to embark on a big project which has been part of our five-year plan. The plan this year is to totally renovate the infield surface on Spectrum Field. We have been prepping for this project for two years by creating our own sod farm located below the batting cages. The sod is now ready to be harvested and moved to the upper field. Along with new infield sod, we will reconstruct our infield arc, provide a better slope for water drainage, apply the new infield dirt mix with conditioner and bring back the warning track in the outfield. As a result of this work, the areas near the dugouts will be resurfaced and seeded as well as the "walk-up" lanes that are badly eroded from rain. All of this work is planned for this fall and will be mostly performed by volunteers. To see this plan realized in full, we are asking for your help.
The cost of performing this work will exceed $15K which presents another challenge for us. We need your financial support to make this happen and continue to make our community ballfields a better place. All donations, large and small, would be immensely appreciated.
***The nonprofit status of the State College Teener League is currently in the process of being reestablished. If you have any questions about this, please contact us at admin@statecollegeteener.com
All donations will go directly toward facility improvements. Our goal has always been to provide a first-class baseball experience, and with your help, we know we can continue that tradition at the Silvi Complex.
If you would be more comfortable donating directly and outside the framework of this platform or have any questions, you can send checks to the address below or reach us via this email address.
State College Teener League
PO Box 593
State College, PA 16804
admin@statecollegeteener.com
Many of you have either played on or have children who have spent time on these fields, and we are sure you have many great memories here. Please help us continue to provide memories for future generations of ballplayers. We thank you, in advance, and look forward to seeing you at the fields.
Sincerely,
The State College Area Teener League Board
JP Tambourine
Bill Lippert
Derek Shaffer
John Snyder
John Young
Kade Cramer
Mike Janik
Mike Moriarta
Ray Liddick
Rob Rioux
Ryan Hendrick
