Cooperative Effort Upgrades Mojave Ball Field

Mojave Desert News - 03/13/2009

By Bill Deaver

MOJAVE — In an example of what local government agencies and businesses can accomplish when they work together, the first game was played Tuesday at the newly-refurbished softball field at Mojave Airport/Spaceport. Teams from Mojave and Lone Pine met on the field, named for pioneer EKAD General Manager Dan Sabovich, along with crews from East Kern Airport District and the Mojave Unified School District, who worked together to refurbish the field, for a photo before the game began. The upgrade effort began last year when employees of some of the firms located on the world's first commercial spaceport expressed interest if forming softball leagues. EKAD General Manager Stuart Witt, a member of one of East Kern's oldest baseball families, met with MUSD Supt. Larry Phelps and others to get the project started. Using EKAD funds along with labor from the two districts, the work was completed Monday.

Donations

Witt commended the many local business people who donated time and material to make the project a success. They include Chris Babcock of Service Rock Products for donating half the cost of the concrete, C. Martin Painting, Homer Hansen Enterprises for donating welding and decomposed granite, Kurt Skelton Construction, Bill Smith of Ace City Hardware in California City for donating half the picnic tables and benches, the EKAD board of directors, and Mel Langford, who oversaw construction. "These are the folks who helped make all of this possible," Witt said. "This is a wonderful example of what can happen when people work together for community progress," Phelps added. The field will continue to be used by Mojave High School softball teams. It could also be used by teams when a Mojave recreation program begins. A study is underway to develop a program. The airport adjoins Mojave's elementary and high schools, and Witt and Phelps meet regularly to discuss ways to share resources and work together. "We decided it if we were going to do this, we were going to do it right," Witt told the EKAD board before the game. "It's a matter of pride." During the construction, Witt said it was gratifying to see the many local people who stopped by to see what was going on, and to help. He said that EKAD Board President Jim Balentine and others helped paint fence posts. The field's concession stand, which was in disrepair, was completely upgraded and new dugouts were built. The infield was paved with brick dust and the outfield sodded.

Nearby community effort

The field is next door to the Mojave Community Medical Center, another example of a Mojave community effort. The center was built more than 30 years ago with funds raised by the community and matched by then by the Sears, Roebuck Foundation. The foundation provided plans for the center and recruited the first physician, Dr. Sam Conklin, who now practices in Tehachapi. The center is owned by the non-profit Mojave Community Medical Center, Inc., which offers annual medical career scholarships to MHS graduates, and is operated by the Tehachapi Valley Healthcare District.