Playing ball

The dream of a new ballpark for Jackson is still taking shape, albeit in a different location. Organizers of the project -- Jack Litzelfelner Sr. and son Jack Litzelfelner Jr. -- decided to make the move because the new location will require much less dirt to be moved.

The new location is on U.S. 61, not far from the original site planned for Jackson's Brookside Park. The new location is next to the proposed Jackson Community Center planned on land at Route D and Broadridge Street.

Former St. Louis Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog, a former teammate of the elder Litzelfelner's, donated $25,000 to get the ball rolling on fund raising for the new ballpark. The plan calls for a ballpark on a par with Capaha Field in Cape Girardeau, with a grass infield, electronic scoreboard and possibly individual seating. The total cost is projected at $300,000.

The Litzelfelners, who own Bent Creek Golf Course, expect to receive more than $100,000 in oral commitments to the project once dirt starts moving in a few weeks. The plan calls for the ballpark eventually to be deeded to the city.

American Legion Field in City Park currently is the only baseball field in Jackson for high school games. Building the new ballpark alongside the community center will bring new richness to the city's quality of life.