It won’t be long before Memorial Field – home to the Redondo Union High School Sea Hawks – will have the look many minor league teams would be proud to call their own.
Wells Fargo representatives, including Linda Russell, South Coast Community Bank Regional President and Jamal Shofani, South Bay Community Bank District Manager, presented at $15,000 check to the RUHS baseball program last week which will be used in conjunction with funding from Measure C to install a new scoreboard.
Accepting the check on behalf of the Redondo baseball program were RUHS Assistant Principal John Newman, RBUSD Superintendent Dr. Steven Keller, RUHS Head Baseball Coach Jeff Baumback and RUHS Athletic Director Andy Saltsman.
“Wells Fargo is only as strong as the communities it serves, it’s a part of our culture,” said Linda Russell, South Coast Community Bank regional president. “We are proud to support schools and programs that support the South Bay community, including Redondo Beach High School.”
The aging scoreboard in right centerfield, which has out-of-date light bulbs and is difficult to see when the sun sets, will be replaced with a newer version and moved to left centerfield and erected the same time that a new lighting system is installed.
“We applaud Wells Fargo’s generous gift,” said Dr. Steven Keller, RBUSD Superintendent of Schools. “Our kids and community will benefit from this donation.”
Baumback won’t have long to wait for his field of dreams. After leading Redondo the playoffs in his first year as head coach, Baumback said he is enthused about the direction the program is going and it begins with an accommodating ball park.
According to Baumback, approximately $500,000 made available from Measure C will be spent on upgrades, including a $340,000 lighting system, sport turfing, irrigation, new dugouts and improvements to the bullpens and batting cages.
“Both dugouts will be extended out toward the playing field, lengthened 5-6 feet toward home plate and have the roof raised one foot,” Baumback explained. “We are installing sports turf in foul territory from coaching box to coaching box and have a new irrigation system underneath the field to replace the aging pipes.”
The outfield wall has already been painted, both bullpen areas will be upgraded and new wind screens installed making it more difficult to hit home runs over the taller outfield fence.
Prior the 2011 season, new lockers were donated to the program and recently Baumback received a putting green-type mower as a donation.
“We’re thankful to the community for their support,” Baumback said. “We held the South Bay Athletic Club All Star game here the week before. It’s becoming a very special place to play.”
