9th Annual '4 in 24' Renovation Recap!

Every April since 2011, the Tri-City ValleyCats take one day to close down the office and focus all of their energy on the renovation of four youth baseball or softball fields within the Capital Region and beyond. The initiative known as the '4 in 24' youth field renovation project is well known by now, and after these field renovations are complete, there will have been over 36 fields overhauled!
2019's renovation recipients were Broadalbin Little League, Brunswick Girls Softball, Green Tech High Charter School, and Rensselaer Little League. The scope of work included laying brand new grass, rebuilding the pitcher's mound and home plate areas, grading and raking the baselines, installing a new pitching rubber, plate, bases and more.
The project wouldn't have been possible without the backing of the ValleyCats community partners and major supporters BlueShield of Northeastern New York and Hannaford Supermarkets, who provide the necessary monetary and volunteering resources needed to complete a project of this magnitude.
"I want to express our gratitude to BlueShield of Northeastern New York and Hannaford Supermarkets for being tremendous partners in this initiative," said ValleyCats General Manager Matt Callahan. "We all share in the common goal of a bright future for our youth, and this project goes a long way to provide the resources to help them succeed."
BlueShield, Hannaford, and the ValleyCats all believe in the same mission of this community initiative, and that's to provide well-maintained fields for our youth to learn and grown.
"BlueShield's commitment to the community continues to provide our region's young athletes access to healthy activities as they grow," said Nicky Chlopecki, Manager, Community Relations, BlueShield of Northeastern New York. "As a longtime partner of the Tri-City ValleyCats, our employees are eager to rebuild fields alongside the players as they work to make a positive impact in our community."
"Hannaford is committed to promoting healthy lifestyles at all ages and youth sports are an ideal way to instill the importance of activity and wellness in our community's youngest members," said Hannaford Supermarkets Community Relations Specialist Brian Fabre. "We are pleased to continue this partnership with the ValleyCats and BlueShield as we provide local ball players with not only improved facilities, but also the opportunity to grow as individuals and members of a team."

The majority of the '4 in 24' youth field renovations took place on Thursday, April 11th, with work being done from sunrise until complete darkness. As the ValleyCats found out early in the '4 in 24' life cycle, even that's not enough time. Prep work and post work are both needed to completely finish all four fields, especially with weather playing a factor.
Hard rain on Wednesday afternoon postponed the renovation at Broadalbin Little League, so on Thursday the ValleyCats focused their efforts on Brunswick Little League, Green Tech High, and Rensselaer Little League.
Green Tech offered the most challenging scope of the work for the ValleyCats and the many volunteers who lent a hand, as they transformed an old softball field into a brand new baseball field, essentially doubling its size. Prior to the renovation, Green Tech had been playing all of their games on the road.
The field hadn't been used in some time, and had to be completely gutted. This involved ripping out the entire infield that was covered in weeds, and cutting out a large piece of the old outfield grass which would now become a part of the 90 foot infield basepaths. 
As is the case with every renovation, the struggle and hard work was more than worth the effort.
Instead of traveling and playing on the road, Green Tech High's baseball team now has a field to call home!
"Green Tech is very excited to be getting a new baseball field that the young scholars will be able to play on," said Quentin Jensen, Green Tech Director of Athletics and Varsity Baseball Coach. "It has been tough the last four years finding a place to practice that didn't require players to travel. Now with a field, the team will operate like a normal program. Green Tech thanks the ValleyCats for their time and effort building a field for the boys at Green Tech."
A stones throw away across the Hudson River, another crew of volunteers were working to rebuild the field at Rensselaer Little League, which had been having severe drainage issues. Prior to the ValleyCats work on the infield, all of the outfield grass was removed, drainage improvements were made, and all new sod installed by Saratoga Sod.
A large group of committed community members, league staff, ValleyCats staffers and volunteers worked to level the infield playing surface, install a brand new pitcher's mound, home plate, baselines and bases.
"Rensselaer Little League is thrilled to have been selected for the Tri-City ValleyCats '4 in 24' program," said Marty Moore, Rensselaer Little League President. "We would like to take the time and thank the ValleyCats organization for considering our application and rewarding us with this great experience. Our field is long overdue for a renovation and this opportunity will extend the quality of play for many years to come."
At Brunswick Girls Softball, with 13 teams and over 180 softball players, the renovations to Field 2 went a long way in maintaining a safe field for the athletes to learn and grow. "We are a small rural league and depend exclusively on volunteers for all aspects of the league including field maintenance. Our field 2 was in dire need of repairs, and the renovation of this field will ensure that all of our athletes share the same great and safe softball experience," the league issued in a statement.
Once the field in Broadalbin had a chance to dry out, the 'Cats crew headed back to the field to complete the project. It took multiple visits and tons of teamwork, but the work went a long way!

"Without the ValleyCats help, we were facing a decision of possibly not being able to host games for all of our Majors teams and even some of our Minors teams," said league president Mike Eglin. "We can't thank the ValleyCats and their partners enough. This amazing gift will truly benefit our small community for years to come."