Softball, like most sports, takes a lot of teamwork.

Having said that, building a brand new softball field for the team to play on is also taking on a teamwork aspect in the Bridgeport Exempted Village School District.

Members of the Bridgeport Educational Assistance Foundation are pooling their resources in an attempt to drum up enough funds to complete the field, which is located adjacent to the school campus on National Road.

“We’ve assisted the school in various projects,” BEAF board member Don Cash Sr. said. “We’ve helped them with the Christmas Tree program and many other things.”

Cash explained that BEAF assists students of the district with their reading and writing skills.

“I wrote a letter to Al (Scheid) telling him that we needed to jump on board with this endeavor,” Cash added. “He agreed, but as a stipulation, he said for every donation $500 and higher, BEAF will match that donation.

“He (Al) was very supportive of the idea,” Cash said.

Bridgeport schools superintendent Ted Downing explained that the field is lacking about $10,000 of actually being finished.

“We’ve been using only volunteer money and donations,” he stressed. “We have used no school monies on this project.”

Thus far, two businesses in the school district have joined the latest campaign, those being M.C. Thomas Insurance and Weaver’s Barber Shop.

“We’re happy to have those two on board with us,” Downing said.

Prior to the matching funds effort, others donating to the project include Allen Marty ($10,000), alumnus Bill Koss ($5,000), Bridgeport Rotary ($5,000), Ted and Mark Ehni ($2,000), the Lansing Sportsmen’s Club ($1,000), Bridgeport Junior Sports ($550) and Robert “Bubba” Kapral ($50).

In addition, Pease Township has committed $2,500 for the purchase of bleachers, and the Bridgeport Rotary has promised another $3,000.

Downing also said the electric service will eventually be run to the field, as well as future plans for a shelter, concession stand and restrooms.

“Larry Zink of Sands Electric is donating his time to run the electric, while Tom Knight of Bridgeport Equipment and Tools has donated all the equipment that has been utilized.

Downing also thanked the three Cash brothers – John, Randy and Todd – for their work on the constructing the new backstop at the softball field and tearing down the old backstop and building a new on the Niekro Diamond baseball field.

He also credited maintenance men Ed Minor and John Jurovic for their work in installing the perimeter fencing, and Doug Gallant, of the Cincinnati Reds, for his work on creating the infield surface.

“Doug worked tirelessly for two days getting the infield portion of the field ready,” Downing noted. “He also did some work on the outfield, as well.”

Anyone wishing to donate to the project is asked to send their donations to the school in care of The Irene Ehni Memorial Softball Field.

Downing said a dedication ceremony will held at some point prior to the season in the spring.

North can be reached at knorth@timesleaderonline.com