The Cougars have a new place to play.
Though there is still some work to be done on the surrounding area, the field itself is done and ready for action.
 The new baseball field is ready for play. The dugouts, clubhouse and bleachers still need to be completed. Half Moon Bay hosts El Camino Monday in the first game to be played on the new facility. |
The initial reviews have been overwhelmingly positive.
"The field itself is incredible," said senior Kevin Birmingham. "The turf plays perfectly. There are no bad hops."
Since fall, construction crews ripped out the old turf, installed a new synthetic turf, and even repositioned the field. Home plate is close to the football field so that batters no longer have to face the sun.
Three batting cages are behind what will be the first base dugout. A bullpen is located further down the line.
Another bullpen is located down the third baseline. Behind the third base dugout, which will serve as Half Moon Bay's dugout, will be a clubhouse.
The clubhouse, along with the bleachers, should be completed by May.
"We want the seniors to have the full benefits of the new facility," said Ed Watkins, board member of the Boys & Girls Club of the Coastside, which coordinated the private donation that led to the field.
The seniors know they won't have to wait long to play after rainouts.
"We can play a day after it rains," outfielder Derek France said. "We don't have to wait a few days for the field to dry."
Last year's rain deluge not only postponed games, switched sites and cancelled practices, but also forced the Cougars to do some drills on the football field so that the old baseball field could dry out.
"We are so blessed to be able to play on this field," junior Charles Custer said. "It's the best of the best."
Half Moon Bay's first home baseball game is scheduled
for Monday.
"The contractors did an incredible job," Watkins said. "This is a two-year project that was able to get done in six months. To accomplish something in that short period of time was amazing."
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