The Bobcats of Bryant & Stratton College scored a home run even before their game against the Rams of Southeastern Community College began on Feb. 29 at Trant Field. In conjunction with Lynnhaven Baseball, Bryant & Stratton paid more than $50,000 in renovations that were made to the baseball complex.
“Without both of us, we wouldn’t have been able to accomplish what we accomplished,” said Lynnhaven Baseball president Jerry Barnes. “It’s a partnership.”
A special grand reopening ceremony was held to celebrate the changes made since last fall.
The front field’s outfield fence was repaired, new concrete pads installed and dugouts built. The three-story building that houses the concession stand was painted and will soon have new shingles. Barnes thanked the community for its support, including Excel Paving for donating labor and personnel from the Navy ship the USS Arlington for helping assemble the new bleachers.
Bryant & Stratton Athletic Director Erik Blackwell said there’s more to come.
“We will continue to add upgrades as the years go by,” he said.
Soon a storage facility will be transformed into a locker room, and eventually the field regraded.
Lynnhaven Baseball was established 65 years ago by William Allen, and was known as Princess Anne Little League, according to a document in the Lynnhaven Baseball archives. The fields were first located on the current site of Beach Ford on Virginia Beach Boulevard.
In 1962 Little Neck resident G. Trant bequeathed the current site, 17 acres of land next to Kings Grant Elementary School, to the Little Neck Civic League, stipulating the property be used for local youth sporting activities. Several leagues played there, and by 1970 the groups combined and became Boys Baseball of Lynnhaven. A long-term lease was signed in 1984.
“We are all about kids,” Barnes said.
More than 800 youth ages 4-18 play on the four fields in the spring and fall combined. Four years ago, Bryant & Stratton started a baseball team, and thanks to Norbie Wilson, then director of the school’s baseball operations, Trant’s front field became the Bobcats’ home turf. Wilson played catcher as Mayor Bobby Dyer threw out the first pitch before the college’s Feb. 29 home game.
Bobcats pitcher Ian Barrett, a 2019 First Colonial High School graduate, said the renovations “make you more excited to play.” The team can be proud of the home-game facility, Barrett said. In fact, the complex tops any of the Bobcats’ opponents’ fields, he added.
Jenny Hofler’s son Owen, a Thalia Elementary third grader, has played for the league for three years. The field improvements give “everybody a sense of pride,” said Hofler, who serves on the league’s board of directors. She also believes more opportunities for tournament play and outreach will come as a result. Sharing with the college provides lots of benefits, including the chance for youth to be mentored, she noted. The fall Futures in Training (FIT) program provides one-on-one training with the college players. That’s “pretty awesome,” she said.
Noah Hedspeth, 11, will play for the Red Sox during Lynnhaven Baseball’s spring season.
“I like competing and being part of a team,” the Kingston Elementary fifth grader said.
He prefers playing pitcher, shortstop and first baseman, and likes watching the college games.
“I like how pitchers throw really fast and it makes me want to be like them.”
Noah said he’s ready for the sport to begin again. “I missed it a lot.”
Opening ceremonies for the Lynnhaven Baseball spring season will be held March 27 at Trant Field, 586 N. Lynnhaven Road. Games begin March 28. Visit www.lynnhavenbaseball.org for more information.
Cindy Butler Focke, fockecindy@gmail.com
