NARROWSBURG, NY — When Coach Bob Bunnell thinks about the Narrowsburg Flats Ballfield, it is with nostalgia.

That’s fitting, since he spent years, decades ago, creating and coaching baseball teams there. Now, he and the Tusten Youth Committee are on a mission to revitalize the field.

He was on the field on June 10 with a plan to bring the field back to its former glory. He and the youth committee aspire to revitalize the field as a focal point for community youth engagement. 

The event officially kicked off the Ballfield Revitalization & Beautification Campaign. 

According to Cliff Kelly and Lionel Billard—former Little Leaguers who played ball on that field, and who later became coaches themselves—at one point six teams played on that field. “That’s 15 kids on each team,” Kelly said. 

Remembering teams based at Heinle’s Field in Cochecton Center and in nearby Gallilee, PA, Kelly mused that there could be at least one team that could call a revitalized field their home. “Build it and they will come, right?” he said. 

Maybe there could be synergy with the Cal Ripken League out of Callicoon and Jeff, Billard added.

Involving the community

Bunnell addressed those gathered for the community kickoff; the plan is to develop a team of people who would bring the field back to life. He spoke about the centrality of sports, and particularly baseball, to previous generations in the community. The field, he said, was to be a memorial to three of his players—Paul Brock, Brett Hankins and Jay Laraia, young firemen who died in a fire truck accident on June 29, 1979 while returning from an early July 4 parade in Montrose, PA.

Speaking from his life-long career as a coach, both in the community and at the college level, Bunnell said play was important to human development and socialization, and it helps youth with personal development, leadership development and career success. “So many men and women in my career in athletics credit sports experiences to their success,” he said, and opined that there are more lessons in sports than in the classroom. 

Bunnell said it was particularly important now, after COVID-19, that youth be provided an outlet for socialization and connection. He cited isolation, lack of physical activity and the need for skills and leadership development as reasons to reestablish a vibrant ball field and outdoor play space.

Connecting old and new

Bunnell is not the only one who thinks a revitalized Flats Ballfield is needed. Following a “Let’s Talk” youth event, held last July and sponsored by the River Reporter and the Tusten Youth Committee, the 40 youth who attended indicated that they were eager for useable open space and a functional field with shade and programs, organizer Greta Knudsen, founder of Tusten Social, said.

Youth committee chair Crystal Weston—who with her committee create youth programming and connection through a variety of programs, including a family field day following the July 4th Fireman’s Parade—spoke about how demographics have changed in recent years, and that more and more kids and families living in town face the dual challenges of a shortage of accessible programming and things to do following the disconnection due to COVID-19.

“Our goal is to create a welcoming community space where our community can grow up and grow old in. A public gathering space focused on youth development and community engagement,” she said.

To be a part of this initiative, email Weston at info@tustenyouth.org.