Perry Co. Schools opens new baseball facility in Marion

From the West Alabama Newsroom–

Perry County Schools opens a new multi-million dollar baseball facility today in Marion — at Francis Marion School.

Francis Marion Head Baseball Coach Michael Williams — is getting ready to host the Rams first home game — on their brand new baseball field.

“And I’m excited about it. The kids are excited. The community is excited. And this gon’ be our first home, looking for a good crowd tonight. It’s just been exciting. I’m excited,” said Williams.

“This is a $2 million dollar baseball field and facility,” said Superintendent Dr. Marcia Smiley.

“And we allocated this amount because we wanted our students to have the opportunity to have a field here on campus. They don’t have to travel to be able to play. They can practice. And we will be able to have area tournaments.”

The new baseball facility has bleachers — a concession stand — restrooms — two dugouts — a sprinkler system — and an electronic scoreboard — with more upgrades to come.

“It has been a long tedious process but we were able to get things in place,” said Smiley.

“Although, at this particular time we do not have lights, we’ve done all of the underground construction process to be able to add lights at a later opportunity.”

“We ain’t never had nothing like this around here,” said Ram shortstop Tracy Thomas.

School officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony this afternoon before the team’s first game on the new field against rival Greene County.

Until now — the school played all of it’s home games at the city park.