Field of Dreams

There's really an interesting story behind this gallery...

I've driven by this baseball field nearly a hundred times. I've always been curious about it. Finally, I just had to get out of the car to see what was up - particularly with the brilliant fall color.

I can't find a way to get back there. From the street, this looks like a regulation park - bleachers, backstop, and what appears to be advertising on the outfield wall. So I knock on the door of a house that's 100 yards in front of it, asking "Is that ball field yours?"

The girl that answered the door says, "Yeah, and Dad's out there touching up the outfield wall. You can go ask him about it."

So I wander out there, camera in hand...

A view of right field from second base. The changing trees make a great backdrop. I noticed that what I thought were advertisements are acutally signs with deeper meaning - some are relatives, some are names and numbers of athletes, others are quotes.
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I strike up a conversation with the man with the brush in his hand. He tells me about 20 years ago, he decided his boys needed a quality ball field for practice. So, he cleared some space at the back of his property and this labor of love was born.
baseball field park diamond home dream hobby memorial meaningful america's pastime working painting devotion
It started out small - a simple diamond with a quick backdrop. Then he decided - why not go all out? Build some bleachers, create a real outfield wall, grade a quality infield.
baseball field park diamond home dream hobby memorial meaningful america's pastime working painting devotion
Just off to the right, you can just catch a glimpse of the bull pen. He told me he has plans for a working scoreboard.
baseball field park diamond home dream hobby memorial meaningful america's pastime working painting devotion
Bill works on the Duke University sign in right field. He tells me he spends some time down at Duke and he mentioned this field to the Bishop there. He's promised them a picture.
baseball field park diamond home dream hobby memorial meaningful america's pastime working painting devotion
His regular job is a Pilot for the freighters that come through the great lakes. If a captain isn't certified to sail the waters, he jumps on and takes them to their final destination.
baseball field park diamond home dream hobby memorial meaningful america's pastime working painting devotion
This field has really become more of a hobby - a pastime if you will. Now that the boys have all grown up and moved out, he would like to hold some clinics in the park. He's been in contact with members of the Detroit Tigers and they've shown some interest.
baseball field park diamond home dream hobby memorial meaningful america's pastime working painting devotion

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