Bellaire Girls Softball is proud to be the recipient of the 2005 Bellaire Fall New Home Showcase.  In our short six years of existence, BGSA has grown from 60 girls to 260 girls, from 6 teams to 30 teams.  The huge rate of increase has strained our fields and our resources.  We are thrilled to have the opportunity to improve our facilities and update our equipment.

The funds have purchased new shade structure installations at Bayland Park, a large Harris County park complex in Southwest Houston that serves thousands of children from the community.  Bayland Field #1 is our main field at the park.  These structures cover both home and visitors bleachers at Bayland Field #1.  They protect the fans and increase spectator turnout. With concerns over health and environmental issues growing daily, shade structures help prevent exposure to harmful skin cancer causing UV Radiation. This is particularly important for children.  Also, the comfort level of the spectators has increase dramatically.  No more sweltering Houston heat waves!  These structures are designed to withstand hurricane strength winds; the integrity of the installation is ready for whatever Houston weather brings!  WE ARE SO EXCITED!!  The County Parks Superintendent awarded us the SPARKS Award for the month of December when the structures were installed, noting that they are the nicest installations in the park.

We also purchased new equipment for each of our three fields.  The bases, rakes, field chalking equipment, mesh drags, and spreaders were all purchased six years ago at the inception of the league.  Many pieces of equipment had duct tape holding them together.  When we showed the managers the new equipment at this season’s coaches’ clinics, we have never heard so many “oohs” and “ahhhs.”  This will make the hard work of field maintenance a lot easier to bear.

The remaining funds were used to buy ten tons of Diamond Pro.  This is a luxury that we can seldom afford.  This professional grounds-keeping product is what all of the major league baseball fields use to condition the infield so that the field has an excellent, even appearance.  It assists in drainage of Houston’s persistent rain and doesn’t stick to cleats, a big plus on the home front.

Again, thank you for the opportunity to volunteer at the showcase.  We heard so many parents express their appreciation at being chosen as the 2005 Recipient of the Bellaire Fall New Home Showcase. It was a pleasure to work at such beautiful homes and with such generous people.

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