BELLVILLE — Bellville Little League will install new lights at its main baseball field, thanks to a $50,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and City of Bellville.
The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $31,950 in matching funds from the league, will enable the league to replace an outdated and unsafe lighting system with new steel poles and LED lights.
“The older lights are not as energy efficient, and it's going to get to a point where they are not going to meet Little League standards,” said Garrett Dornon, president of Bellville Little League. “We’re constantly replacing bulbs and ballasts, and the cost when you kick all these lights on is starting to eat us up a little bit.”
Dornon noted that safety and providing a good experience for over 500 local players and visiting teams are the league’s top priorities.
“Until you go play at other fields, you don't realize how dark our older lighting is compared to some of the newer facilities,” Dornon said. “Little League teams include players of many different skill levels, and some of those dark corners can get unsafe.”
The league, which maintains its facilities through a strong vol- unteer network, keeps its fields unlocked and registration fees low in order to make baseball and softball available to as many children in the area as possible.
Though it was competing against leagues with paid employees and funding from tax revenues, the Bellville team won the 2022 Texas Turfgrass Association Baseball Field of the Year honor and was proud to be the only recipient that did not nominate itself for the award. The new, cost-efficient lighting will allow the league to continue offering affordable, high-quality sports experiences.
LCRA General Manager Phil Wilson said Little League plays an important role in the community by helping build more than sports camaraderie.
“Youth sports organizations foster the development of leadership and collaborative qual- ities that benefit young people not only on the field, but as they move through life,” Wilson said. “Leagues like Bellville Little League take that responsibility seriously, and we’re proud to support them and their mission.”
In addition, Wilson said the Bellville organization has a positive economic impact on the area.
"The benefits of Little League to an area don’t stop when the final out is called," Wilson said.
“Tournaments can bring in thousands of out-of-town visitors who eat at local restaurants and shop at local stores. That sort of economic impact is notable.’’
Dornon said the league is thrilled to receive the grant and to continue playing a role in the economic development of the Bellville area.
“A lot of people will go out to eat before or after games or go grocery shopping here,” Dornan said. “Having a big, vibrant league is very important to the City of Bellville and we intend to keep growing.”
