LAKEWOOD, Ohio — Not too far away from the corner of Carnegie and Ontario in Cleveland to the west is the corner of Edwards and Detroit avenues in Lakewood.
What the two locations have in common is more than baseball fields: The former remains a place where baseball dreams are realized, while the latter plays a pivotal role in creating a love of the game.
Recently, the Edwards Park T-ball field received a $12,000 upgrade from the city that included improving the infield and reducing the drop-off from the dirt to the grass outfield.
“Edwards Field is basically in the heart of Lakewood,” Lakewood City Schools Community Recreation & Education Department Coordinator Leslie Favre Krogman said. “It’s a hidden gem that needed some TLC. It hadn’t been touched in probably over 10 years.
“Being used 6 to 7 days out of the week, it needed an infield dirt mixture because it had roots growing up. There were rocks, and even the grass is probably gonna get some touchups with some seeding too.”
She added that the city’s premiere T-ball field for 4 to 6-year-olds acts as an important introduction of baseball and softball to Lakewood youth.
Krogman speaks from experience, having played there during the ‘80s at Edwards Park.
“This is your initial exposure to that sport and it’s very family-oriented,” she said. “It’s instrumental for core memories of kids when they first get onto a field.
“The first time they hear their family cheering, whether it’s hitting the ball or running the wrong way. It’s just one of those places that really is the start-up of your love for softball and baseball.”
The field upgrade marks the city’s continued trend of updating its amenities.
In recent years, work has been completed at Lakefront Field, Jimmie Foxx Field at Kauffman Park and George J. Usher Field at Madison Park.
“This needs to be done in order to keep our fields — with the heavy usage — looking good while providing our community with what it needs,” she said.
“You almost have to do a field every year.”
With a list of about a half dozen fields on rotation, Lakewood next year will be updating Cove Park.
The all-grass field is utilized for soccer and youth baseball.
“The city does a great job of incorporating feedback and working in partnership with the recreation department, just making sure that we stay on top of this so fields don’t become derelict,” she said.
“It’s really being able to provide the greenspace that our community needs and offering the programs that they want.”
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