Vets #5 Free Agent Day

Vets #5 (Veterans Memorial Park) is located on the corner of Maple Road, and Dexter Road, in Ann Arbor.

     The Ann Arbor Rec & Ed (Recreation and Education) adult baseball Summer league is holding a Free Agent Day on Sunday, April 23rd, at 12:00 p.m.  The Free Agent Day is designed for players that want to play Summer league baseball, but aren't currently on a league team roster.  Free Agent Day takes place at Vets #5 (Veterans Memorial Park) located on the corner of Maple Road, and Dexter Road, in Ann Arbor.
     The Ann Arbor Rec & Ed adult baseball Summer league lasts about 10-12 weeks long, and there are two leagues known as the American League, and The National League.  Both leagues use wood bats, and some teams have earned sponsorship.  Click on the link below for more information about the Ann Arbor Rec & Ed adult baseball Summer League.  Scroll down to check out exclusive photos of Vets #5 in Ann Arbor.
     Leave a comment, or email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com Scroll down and vote in the monthly Poll Question.  Check out Game Notes.  Click on past months to check out all of the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material.

Veterans Memorial Park was renovated back in 2012.  The park reopened in 2013.

Free Agent Day takes place on Sunday, April 23rd, at 12:00 p.m.

This photograph was taken back in 2012 before the renovation at Vets #5.

The Ann Arbor Rec & Ed adult baseball Summer league lasts about 10-12 weeks long.

Click on past months to check out all of the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material.

                                                                        Game Notes








-  Players that compete in the Ann Arbor Rec & Ed adult baseball Summer league must be of amateur status.



-  The official baseball used in the Ann Arbor Rec & Ed adult baseball Summer league is a Rawlings R100.



-  American League teams are scheduled to play a 16 game schedule.



-  National League teams are scheduled to play an 18 game schedule.



-  There is a roster limit of 21 players per team.  










For more info about the Ann Arbor Rec & Ed adult baseball Summer league click on  www.a2schools.org/reced



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Bo Schembechler Statue

A statue of Bo Schembechler sits outside of Schembechler Hall, in Ann Arbor.  

     There is a bronze statue of Bo Schembechler that sits just outside of Schembechler Hall, in Ann Arbor.  I've attempted to photograph the statue before, but it's usually either dark, or surrounded by people.  The statue was created by J. Brett Grill in 2013, and was unveiled in April of 2014 as part of a renovation project at Schembechler Hall.  The statue was a gift of Robert W. Browne.
      Click on the link below for more information about the University of Michigan athletic program.  Leave a comment, or email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com  Scroll down and vote in the monthly Poll Question.  Check out Game Notes.  Click on past months to check out all of the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material.











                                                                           Game Notes








-  Bo Schembechler was the Head Coach of the UofM football team from 1968-1989.



-  Bo Schembechler was also the Athletic Director at UofM from 1988-1990.



-  Bo Schembechler's first name is Glenn.  



-  The Towsley Museum sits inside of Schembechler Hall.



-  The Towsley Museum features artifacts, interactive displays, and The Win Wall.  











For more info about the UofM athletic program click on  http://www.mgoblue.com 



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Click on the arrow next to previous months to see the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material.    

West Park Renovation Photo Album

The renovation project at West Park is complete!  West Park officially reopens tonight!

The ball diamond at West Park has never looked better!

This photo was taken last summer before the construction project began!

The diamond at West Park now has a professional look to it!

This photo was taken last year!  It shows the early developments of the new garden area at West Park!

The historic stage where legends like Jerry Garcia, and Iggy Pop performed remains intact!

The entire park was under construction!

This photo was taken last year!  The last of the construction equipment was removed about a month ago!

West Park is open again!

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West Park Ready To Reopen!

West Park in Ann Arbor officially reopens tonight!

     The renovation project in, and around West Park (in downtown Ann Arbor) is complete, and West Park officially reopens tonight to host community recreational baseball leagues that have called West Park home for several years!  For weeks, the park has been partially open to the public, but has remained cluttered with construction equipment, which has taken up most of the parking since the construction project began last fall.  The equipment is gone, and the finishing touches on a garden area near the parking lot are being completed. West Park is located in downtown Ann Arbor and is accessible through various entrances.  The main entrance is off of Chapin Street near Miller Avenue.  The same leagues that use Veterans Memorial Park, also use the ball diamond at West Park in somewhat of a backup roll.  The ball diamond at West Park has always been a great place to play, but the field has always done a poor job retaining water, even long after the rainfall has ended.  One of the goals of the renovation project was to solve this problem, along with the constant flooding that has been an ongoing problem in and around West Park for years.  Although the diamonds at Veterans Memorial Park (located on the corner of  Maple, and Dexter west of downtown Ann Arbor) have always been superior to the diamond at West Park (specifically Vets #5), the recreational attributes, and history of West Park make it the better park to visit for lounging, walking the dog, or various activities including plays at the historical stage which is quietly tucked away beyond the ball diamond.  Throughout the years, several famous entertainers have performed for free on the stage in West Park while visiting Ann Arbor.  Some of the more well known artists known to perform there include Jerry Garcia, (from the Grateful Dead) and Iggy Pop.   West Park also features a boardwalk style bridge that crosses over a pond, quiet trails through a beautiful part of downtown Ann Arbor, and large hills perfect for blankets, and birds eye views of the peaceful sights, and sounds of nature.

The historical stage at West Park where Jerry Garcia, (from the Grateful Dead) and Iggy Pop once performed!

Behind the stage at West Park where famous performers have entered!

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Vets Park 1 Year Later!

The renovation at Vets Park in Ann Arbor is almost complete!

     Veterans Memorial Park (Vets Park) in Ann Arbor is set to reopen next week after a year long renovation project that brought several new improvements to the baseball, and softball fields.  The i's are getting dotted and the t's are getting crossed as the final touches are being added.  The pool is scheduled to reopen tomorrow, while the baseball, and softball diamonds will officially reopen next Friday.  The entrances to all of the fields are blocked off until next Friday, and signs letting everyone know are posted everywhere.  New sod has been added, along with a paved parking lot, and the dimensions for Vets #5 have been slightly altered.  The new dimensions are 344ft to center field, 300ft to the left field corner, and the right field corner is 288 ft.  Check out last years posts to compare photos and dimensions.  Vets Park is located on the corner of Maple, and Dexter just west of downtown Ann Arbor.
     Cement pads were poured for all the benches and bleacher areas, but dugouts were not installed as previously planned by the renovation committee. The baseball and softball diamonds have never looked better however, as new dirt, and grass have given the fields a professional look.  Vets Park is home to several baseball, and softball leagues, including an adult 'wood bat' league which features top ball players from the area.  Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor competes in the adult 'wood bat' league against the Ann Arbor A's, the Michigan Tigers, and several other sponsored teams from the Mitten State.  The baseball, and softball leagues help support the community, and the city of Ann Arbor benefits from the money generated by the leagues.  It's refreshing to see the city of Ann Arbor giving back to its community by investing in its parks and recreational system.  Community baseball and softball leagues will remain a staple of Ann Arbor for years to come. 

New sod, dirt, and cement have been added to Vets Park 

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Vets Park Photo Album

                                                   
                                               

                     

Veterans Memorial Park (in Ann Arbor) is located on the corner of Maple, and Dexter!

                           

   

Upgrades to the ball fields are coming!

             

Tennis courts overlook the ball fields!

                       

The ice arena at Vets!

                           

There is lots of space at Veterans Memorial Park!

The picnic area!

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Veterans Memorial Park Makeover

Vets Park prepares for renovation!

                                               








     Veterans Memorial Park, in Ann Arbor has been home to recreational baseball leagues for several years.  In addition to sports, the park offers a peaceful environment for joggers, dog walkers, and anyone who enjoys being outdoors.  The baseball, and softball diamonds are preparing for an overhaul, and it's all scheduled to begin after the summer baseball league has been completed.  The fall baseball recreational league season has been cancelled due to construction, and the Dexter road (just east of Maple) entrance to the park has already been closed.  The baseball, and softball diamonds at Vets are unique in the fact that they've always drained well during heavy rain showers compared to most ball fields, and its stadium lighting offers an option for night games.  Many players that I've talked to are excited about the upcoming renovations, even if it means missing out on playing hardball this fall.
     Upgrades to the baseball diamonds include replacing the existing infield material (the dusty gravel material) with red clay, and installing drainage around the infield's perimeter.  An automated irrigation system will also be installed, along with new fencing, and concrete floors for the bleachers and dugouts.  Other plans include restoring the field turf, along with regrading the infield, and adding overhangs to the backstops.  The overhangs should prevent visitors with having to endure vehicle damage and broken windshields.
      The ball fields at Veterans Memorial Park have always been viewed to be above average compared to other fields that host league play.  The upgrades will only enhance a community known for being an entrance way to downtown Ann Arbor.  The renovation should attract interest from players, and teams from surrounding areas that may be looking to join a high level recreational league.  Ann Arbor's recreational leagues have provided revenue for the Ann Arbor community for several years, and the makeover of Veterans Memorial Park will ensure a future for baseball in the city of Ann Arbor.    
     








    

        

Behind the plate at Vets #5!

             




Can you go straight away centerfield? Or do you have warning track capability?

 

                        

Left field at Vets #5

Right Field at Vets #5

               
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