CINCINNATI — Many athletes remember the first field or court they played on fondly. But few get the chance to help give the place they fell in love with the game a facelift. But one Major Leaguer is helping the next generation.
Madeira baseball players Nate Hyland and Evan Cissell are working hard to stay sharp in the offseason. The two grew up around the game.
Evan Cissell (left) and Nate Hyland have played baseball for as long as they can remember (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)
“I’ve been playing for as long as I can remember,” Cissell said.
They have seen their baseball field slowly improve piece by piece
“This turf is so much better than the old dirt we had,” Cissell said.
The turf playing field surface was installed two years ago (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)
That turf was installed two years ago, funded by the school district. But the rest of the field was up to them.
“Let’s turf the field first and then, as a parent group, try to raise the money to come in and bring the rest of the field up to standard,” said Dave Hyland, Nate Hyland’s father.
Dave Hyland said he and other parents have worked to raise over $220,000 toward their goal of $500,000 to replace dugouts, fencing and scoreboards. Part of that money is coming from a hometown hero.
Dave Hyland hits ground balls to the boys (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)
“We’ve got a great gift from Andrew Benintendi,” Dave said. “You know, all these boys grew up watching him play in the World Series, watching him make his Major League debut.”
Benintendi is now in his 11th major league season playing on his fourth team. Perhaps most well-known for his game-saving catch in the ALCS that ultimately helped the Red Sox win a World Series. But his roots were planted here, graduating from Madeira High School in 2013.
Benintendi grew up in Madeira playing on the same fields as Evan and Nate (Photo Courtesy of Madeira Field of Dreams)
“When you come into this community, the big name, especially if you’re a big baseball fan, is obviously Benintendi,” Cissell said.
“Andrew’s been my role model since he’s been in the majors,” Nate Hyland said.
New dugouts are part of the plan with the new funds (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)
“From Dumont to Sellman Park to Fenway Park to Dodger Stadium, I climbed the baseball mountaintop and realized my baseball dream…,” Benintendi said in a statement. “I ask that you join me in helping Madeira create a new ‘Field of Dreams’ for a new era of Madeira baseball players. Big dreams do come true.”
It’s a gift helping a new generation of baseball players.
“It’s amazing to see your role model supporting you,” Nate Hyland said.
Coming full circle.
“With the little kids coming to our games it almost feels like them is how I supported Benny,” Nate Hyland said. “It’s really cool.”
Source link
