The Rotary Club of South Whidbey has been helping the Whidbey Crabs Pony League baseball team renovate the baseball field at Dave Mackie County Park.

The Rotary Club set aside $2,500 to build two dugouts and replace the backstop, and helped the baseball team install the improvements.

On June 18, more than a dozen volunteers from both groups worked together to finish the framing and plywood roofs.

Later, a smaller group put up chain link fencing on the sides of the dugouts and installed benches.

Both groups will come together again for more work parties to replace the rotted wooden backstop and put up a hand-changed scoreboard.

“We’ve all been very impressed with the commitment that the Crabs have shown,” said John Boone, lead coordinator for the project and a Rotary club representative.

“We also have the enthusiastic support of the county parks department, which has already begun renovation of the playing field and will also erect new fencing. Students at the South Whidbey High School metal shop have also stepped up to help on the project and have built two foul poles,” Boone added.

In addition to providing the Crabs a home, the ball field will also be used by a girls softball team and will be open to the public.

Plans for the dugouts have been developed by John Jacobs, a local contractor who has a son on the team.

Dennis Hunter, a retired SWHS teacher, is the general manager of the Crabs, and has been working closely with Boone to bring this project together.

The work crew extended a big thanks to everyone who has helped so far. Additional support is still needed to complete the renovation.

To volunteer for the project, call Hunter at 341-2697.