by Don Longtin posted 01/22/2010
The popularity of the movie”Field of Dreams” in the early 1990’s was the inspiration for the creation of Glastonbury Little League’s Richard H. Ross Field. Its namesake, the late Coach Ross was a 20 year GLL Minor League coach. The field was an existing worn field, well past its prime, but located in a wonderful setting in the heart of historic downtown Glastonbury. After gaining the support of neighborhood residents and a variety of Town governing bodies and commissions, the League endeavored on raising the necessary funds, donated materials and volunteers. The field was completely designed and constructed by volunteers. Key contributors were Connecticut Light and Power (light poles), Spectra-Lume, (lights), Rotary and Lions Clubs (construction of buildings), other Glastonbury Service clubs and a multitude of volunteers from the League and the community that worked evenings and weekends over a one year period.
During that one year period, dirt from every Major League stadium in the USA and Canada, Cooperstown, Williamsport and the Field of Dreams in Iowa was gathered. On its dedication day, May 2, 1992, after the light switch was thrown by Coach Ross’ widow, players representing each of those stadiums, one at a time, dropped vials of that dirt into the Ross Field infield. It was instant history in the making.
Today, Ross Field serves as the hub of the GLL program and is a key field for CT. District 7 post season play. It’s unique design of short distances down the foul lines(173ft in left and 179 ft in right, both graduating to 205ft in center) is compensated by 10ft high “Green Monsters” making home runs a challenge and hits off the wall entertaining. Approximately 130 games are played at Ross annually. Playing at Ross Field is a season highlight for our Little Leaguers.
The dream lives on, construction continues as Ross Field has been the site of several Eagle Scout Projects by former GLL players. One project of note is the Wall of Fame where enshrined are the names of the League’s annual Sportsmanship Award recipients, one per team. Close to 1,200 names are now on the Wall. The names are dedicated at the season ending Sportsmanship Games played by the recipients. It is the greatest honor GLL bestows upon its players.
Click on these sites to see Ross Field dedication testimonials. Visit Richard H Ross Field, enjoy a hot dog and baseball played by Glastonbury Little League, a program “Where Everybody Plays”.
State of CT Town of Glastonbury Major League Baseball
