by Lindsay Doty
In the tiny town of Amo, there’s one spot that always can draw a crowd: the ballpark. The thriving Cascade Youth League has more than 300 players from tots to middle-schoolers. That’s nearly as many as the town’s population of 422 residents.
But the league’s host ball fields are deteriorating and flood easily.
A recent anonymous donation of $750,000 will make upgrades possible.
Thanks to the donor, the league has accumulated $1 million to transform four diamonds and construct a new concession stand.
Cascade raised $250,000 and hopes to raise the final $200,000 for a March 8 event at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds & Conference Complex.
The donor requested anonymity due to his faith, William Rhodehamel said, president and CEO of Hendricks County Community Foundation, which is handling the grant.
However, Rhodehamel added, it is well known that the donor for many years coached alongside Brian Burch, a former local baseball and softball coach whose name will be on the new facility.
“We are thrilled to be part of this important project,” Rhodehamel said. “The Brian Burch Memorial Sports Park will have a positive impact on young people in our community for generations.”
Not only will the four fields be renovated, but drainage will be improved to minimize the flooding. When the project is complete, the complex will be more useable.
“This project will have an incredible impact on the lives of so many kids,” Cascade President Nic Allen said. “The facility will be an anchor in our community.”
The property is north of Mill Creek West Elementary School and owned by Mill Creek Community School Corp. Construction is expected to begin in June and be completed in September.
