The baseball dugouts at Veterans Field in Blue Earth, left, are showing their age and a group wants to replace them.

Blue Earth’s Veterans Field has been a home run for Blue Earth’s baseball-minded community. The local ballpark has been enjoyed for years by citizens of Blue Earth and its surrounding area.

Unfortunately, its long history is beginning to show.

The field’s two dugouts have housed many teams in their time. Their solid cement block walls are starting to demonstrate the inevitable wear-and-tear of old age.

“There’s some major structural damage, especially to the dugout on the third base side,” admits Brent Legred, president of the Blue Earth Area Baseball Association.

“The dugouts were getting in bad shape three years ago, and they’ve become progressively worse over the past three years,” Legred says.

As a short-term solution, Legred has sought assistance from Blue Earth Public Works director Jamie Holland.

“Jamie and his team have done a great job of putting bandaids on it (the dugout by third base),” Legred says. “They’ve put posts on it and a chain to keep the walls from falling apart. But every year, the cracks continue to widen.” 

The dugout does indeed sport noticeable cracks, which sunlight streams through from certain angles.

“There were four cracks three years ago,” Legred shares. “There are 12 cracks now.”

Legred brought this information to the Blue Earth City Council’s attention at their last regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, Oct. 18.

“I was here at City Council three years ago,” Legred said. “At that time, the dugouts at the fairgrounds were in tough shape.”

Legred explained the adjustments Holland has made to address the issue.

However, Legred added the dugouts’ floating foundations will always cause issues. “From what I understand, talking to construction people, when the dugouts were built, there were not adequate footings underneath. That’s why we’re running into this challenge, and it’s not going to get better.” 

Legred has been looking into options for the dugouts’ reconstruction. He sees value in considering an upgraded model: sunken dugouts.

“One of the things about a sunken dugout is it provides you with a solid foundation,”  Legred explains. “It gives some structural integrity to the walls, and also provides some aesthetic positives as well.” 

Legred points out renovations to the field in 2017 have already set it up to be compatible with a sunken dugout.

“We did a pretty big renovation to Veterans Field in 2017 to put in new tile,” Legred says. “We put tile along the fence line to grab water coming in from the area, and when you have a sunken dugout you have to have a drain. We’re part of the way there.” 

Though Legred sees many benefits to a sunken dugout design, he plans to bring additional ideas the council for future consideration.

“We’ve got some different concepts, different ideas,” Legred says. “There is at least one more bid I’m waiting on, so I’ll be able to propose all three.” 

Some council members have also expressed interest in more in-depth research and a wider variety of choices before any construction plans unfurl.

“Being new to the council, I have not really formed an opinion one way or another,” admits council member Ann Hanna.

However, she is interested in viewing options with a lower sticker price.

“I am aware they (the dugouts) are needed, but Mr. Legred brought two bids and they were kind of extravagant to me,” Hanna admitted.

She continued, “We could maybe get them a little less fancy, or have some fundraisers.”

Council member Glenn Gaylord also acknowledged the all-important matter of budgeting for large projects such as this.

“It comes down to when we can afford it,” Gaylord explains. “I wish we had endless amounts of money, but we want to keep the local levy in check, too. It’s a balancing act.” 

Gaylord adds, however, “Brent (Legred)’s been bringing this up for quite awhile. He wants the council to hear this before budgeting plans.” 

Gaylord is unsure when the city will be able to contribute funds to the project. However, he acknowledges Legred has already done some legwork himself.

“I’m more willing to help people who are willing to help themselves,” Gaylord explains. “Brent (Legred) has been involved for a long time, and he’s worked with the City Council on other projects as well.”

Legred’s most significant contribution to the project so far constitutes a field improvement grant of $5,000 from the Minnesota Twins Association.

“It has to be used for exactly what it was written for,” Legred says.

Not only must the grant be applied toward the dugouts if it is to be spent; it must also be spent within a certain timeframe.

“We’ve received two extensions because of COVID,” Legred notes. This year, however, the grant must be spent if it is to be used at all.

“This is a once-in-a-generation thing,” Legred insists. “It’s not something that you do, and redo it again five or 10 years later. These dugouts have been there for longer than a generation.” 

Indeed, the dugouts have graced the ballfield for so long, Legred remembers them from his childhood.

“I don’t remember anything being around besides them (the dugouts) as long as I’ve been around,” Legred says. “They’ve done what they needed to.” 

Legred adds, “A nice ballpark is a great reflection of a community and the pride they take in their city.” 

Additionally, he sees the ballfield as an integral, much-enjoyed aspect of the Blue Earth community.

“On average, it is used for well over 50 games a year,” Legred shares. “The average park attendance is well over 5,000 people per year. That would make it one of the most widely used parks in the city of Blue Earth.” 

Legred hopes to maintain the ballfield’s status as an accessible destination for the community.

“Baseball really is a social activity,” he says. “It’s not overly loud, not overly intense. That’s why people love baseball.” 

Legred plans to continue pursuing the improvement project in the future.

“This is how we’re looking to improve our community,” he concludes. “They (the dugouts) are what they are. They’ve lived a good life, and they’ve been good to us. But, they’re getting tired.”