Elings Park Ball Field Fundraiser Rounding Third Base With Community Help

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) - Some last minute donations can make it a financial home run for Elings Park in Santa Barbara.

A driver to raise $200,000 by Friday is in the last innings of a deal that would then generate a million dollar gift from an anonymous donor.

It would go for improvements to the three ball fields that are in dire need of repairs.

The park is a non-profit, which makes this offer so helpful.

Right now organizers say they are close, about $60,000 away from the goal.

If the deadline is reached by May 1st, the plan would actually be $1.2 million.

The funding would go for new and level ballfields with improvements to the dugouts and lighting.

Some of the fields have very obvious wear and tear beyond the normal sports impacts.

The park is built on a former city dump. That is showing signs of irregular settling and a factor in this fundraising drive.

One field has a drop down from center field to left field. Others go from grass to dirt.

Outfielders do not have a warning track when chasing fly balls.

The fields are used often by leagues of adults either on their own or sponsored by their companies. All are trying to get donations from their friends and family, their bosses or from area businesses.

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