In an attempt to raise $5 million to revamp and modernize the Middlefield Ballpark facilities, Palo Alto Little League has started a capital campaign to raise $5 million for improvements and renovations as the park approaches its 75th year. Improvements will include such things as covered and expanded fan seating, upgraded dugouts and a renovated snack shack.  PALL’s Director of Fields and Facilities, Prairie Sims, said the current facilities have many shortcomings, having not undergone renovations for an extensive period of time. 

“Palo Alto Little League owns the field facility, and there has not been any work done to it in 75 years,” Sims said. “So it creates a bunch of challenges. It doesn’t meet any of the Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines, so (that means) limited access to bathrooms for handicapped people. The parking lot hasn’t been paved. There’s no netting, so foul balls break car windows. It’s a beautiful park that is in desperate need of renovation.” 

Sims said the lack of ADA-approved facilities is a problem for the league, which has attempted to create an atmosphere that is inclusive for players with disabilities. 

“Palo Alto Little League also has what’s called the Challenger League, which allows for children with disabilities to also participate in baseball,” Sims said. “In this day and age, you need bathrooms and seating and the ability to support people who have needs, especially since we have the Challenger League. One thing we will do is make it easier for children who have wheelchairs to get onto the field.” 

Fatima Herrera, who works in the clubhouse snack shack, also said the age of the facilities has complicated her work. 

“We definitely need this place remodeled; we have so many downfalls,” Herrera said. “The electricity is bad, and we have to deal with insects and roaches. We need to do something about it. It would be very cool if they could help us out, especially because this facility is important to the community. Families use this.”

A Little Leaguer playing Fall baseball, who requested anonymity for privacy reasons, said he hoped the renovations would happen.

“I’ve been at this field for around three years, and the facilities are nice, but it would be really cool if they re-did it,” he said. “I’m very curious and excited to see what would happen.” 

Despite the renovations projected to cost $5 million, Sims said the league was looking to the community to raise $2.5 million, thanks to a matching contribution offer from the Peery Family who also helped fund the building of Paly’s Peery Athletic Center. 

“A few years ago Dick Peery read about it, and generously offered to match half the money, but he said PALL has to raise the other half, and since then we haven’t been able to raise the other half,” Sims said. 

Sims said the league needs local help to reach its goal. 

“(PALL) is a non-profit, so all the fees go to buying balls, uniforms and equipment,” Sims said. “The only way we would ever be able to upgrade and renovate the Middlefield Ballpark would be with the help of the community coming to pitch in, like the Peery Family.” 

And Sims said the league is incentivizing large donations through benefits. 

“If a family or a business wanted to match the gift of the Peery’s, we can name the field after them,” Sims said. “There’s over 800 families a year that go through Palo Alto Little League. If people are interested in terms of getting their name or their business out, that’s certainly a great option.” 

At a similar project in Atherton, where fields at Willie Mays ballpark were upgraded thanks to community involvement, Sims this approach proved to be a success.

“The city of Atherton did a similar thing to what we’re trying to do, they were able to raise money in order to rebuild that entire park,” Sims said. “And it’s gorgeous. Everybody loves it. Kids love it. Families love it. From a kid’s perspective, playing on a brand new field brings a lot of pride and joy.” 

Sims also said the renovations will benefit the whole community. 

“We talked to Pat Burt, who was mayor at the time, and (he) loved the idea, because what we would be doing is connecting Mitchell Park with the Little League field,” Sims said. “It would be much more of a community connection, that welcoming connection. The city was super excited about it. We just don’t have any money. That’s the bottom line.” 

Ultimately, Sims encouraged community members to look at pallpark.org for more information about the project, and the donation details. 

Current mayor Greer Stone and Peery Foundation Managing Director Dave Peery were not immediately available for comment.