Elgin High awaits field improvements

Elgin High School's softball field (shown here) and baseball field lack some of the amenities that their Elgin School District U46 counterparts already possess.
(Shauna Bittle/Staff Photographer)

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ELGIN -- Good things come to those who wait. Those involved with the Elgin High baseball and softball programs surely hope that's the case.

While their Elgin School District U46 neighbors have received upgrades at their baseball and softball fields, Maroons players and coaches might be wondering when they're going to get the goods.

In the past couple weeks one could see batting cages being erected across town at Larkin.

Meanwhile, Elgin's fields are believed to be the only ones without electricity and water access in the district.

Elgin baseball coach Dave Foerster says that while the Maroons field has seen improvements there is more work to be done.

"Slowly but surely," Foerster said when asked about the Maroons playing conditions becoming upgraded.

Still, compared to others in the Upstate Eight Conference -- except perhaps East Aurora -- Elgin's fields are the worst. Barbed wire hangs high atop the center-field fence at the Maroons baseball field.

During an Elgin softball game earlier this season both teams had to sit outside the dugouts because fresh paint was still drying.

"I'm more worried about the product on the field than I am about the field," Maroons softball coach Peg Corcoran said.

While Bartlett, Larkin, South Elgin and Streamwood have fields they can be proud of, Elgin's lag in what has become the most basic for facilities. Foul poles, batting cages and flag poles don't exist.

"We've ordered them," Elgin athletics director Art Rohlman said. "It takes time and we're on the list."

Joe Creadon, supervisor of the U46 grounds department, could not be reached for comment for this story and did not return telephone messages.

One person close to Elgin High athletics said a private company offered to install electricity to the grounds but was rebuffed.

So while their U46 brethren can boast about their facilities, Elgin High is left wanting.

"As the AD at Elgin I'd like for it to have been done yesterday," Rohlman said. "But we just have to wait until it's our turn."