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Field's future design unveiled Sunday, May 09, 2004 HOLYOKE - People attending baseball games at MacKenzie Field this summer will notice many changes in the field and a conceptual image of future design alterations has been released for public view. Calvin A. Moffie, owner of the Holyoke Giants of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, a wooden-bat summer association with teams from all over the region, has released an architect's design of what he expects the field resemble in the future. There is no price tag for the work yet, because "we are still in the concept stage. We want to show people what we are thinking about for the future," Moffie said. "Practically, we will be making some changes this year and hopefully, with community input, we can finalize our concepts this year to get the best possible results at the field for next season," Moffie said. The designs, prepared by Coler & Colantonio Inc. engineers, also show the layout of the field, which needs leveling, drainage improvements and replacement of some materials on the mound and infield. The design also shows many improvements "we hope will happen or, through suggestion, we will be able to better the design for the best possible field" in the future, Moffie said. He said changes expected this year will include improvements to the playing field, infield and mound; removal of an old fence behind home plate, installing a pavilion like area on the third base side near the refreshment stand for "inter active" programming, the addition of a batting cage and a tarp for the field to help keep the field dry during rain storms. "The plan that we have released looks great, but we hope to make it even better," Moffie said. The Giants' first game will be June 11 against Vermont. All the new equipment and changes will be shared with other teams, such as PeoplesBank of the TriCounty League and other teams that use the field. "To me, the game is one thing and the experience of attending the game and being entertained is the main thing. We will have good food and we will have activities for the youngsters like jugglers and such to make this just a great family fun time," Moffie said. Moffie said the team is putting about $10,000 worth of work into the field to improve the surface and add the tarp, and $10,000 or so in equipment such as the batting cage, etc. "There is a certain amount of cynicism and that's okay. We want people to take a look at this and tell us what they think and if they have suggestions so be it. We want people to come to the games and have fun," Moffie added. Mayor Michael J. Sullivan said he is excited about the team coming to Holyoke. "We will continue to work with Cal Moffie on the plans and develop the best possible field and play area. I can see no downside at all to the Giants coming to Holyoke," he said. Sullivan said the "whole plan is a big plus for the city.," Moffie said the team wants to "become an integral part of the community. We will be working with the community and we hope to offer baseball clinics for the youngsters and special nights for organizations, things like that," he added. Information about the team, whose collegiate players come mostly from the Northeast, can be found on the team's official Web site at www.nsnavs.com, which is constantly being updated. The team, formerly located in Middletown, Conn., is one of 13 teams in the New England Collegiate Baseball League, a wooden-bat summer league with teams located throughout the region.
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