The History of Highfield Youth Baseball

Highfield is the name given to an area that annexes the little Butler suburb of Lyndora located in Butler Township, Butler, Pennsylvania. Highfield Community Center is an organization whose members are primarily from this area. This community center was originally composed of the main building, a little league field and a larger field used for American Legion Baseball and Eagle County Men's League. Originally, the teams were known as Lyndora-Highfield, Highfield Hawks Eagle County and Lyndora Post 778 American Legion.

As the sport of baseball enlarged its perimeters to include T-ball, Pony league, Colt League, Palomino, an idea developed that instead of our children playing elsewhere, the area was available in Highfield. With the permission of Highfield Community Center to use their existing fields and land, a process was begun to organize a community baseball organization; and in 1980, Highfield Youth Baseball emerged.

Over the years, Highfield Youth Baseball sponsored various programs including Lyn-Hi Midget Football, girls' softball and baseball programs for every age group. As our enrollment grew, it became necessary to raise additional revenue to fund our activities besides the usual raffle tickets, tag day, candy sales, etc. Highfield Youth Baseball through a verbal agreement with Highfield Community Center began operating bingo and small games each Wednesday evening at the Highfield Community Facility. Now, this is our only fundraiser. With the revenue derived from bingo and small games, two new fields (Highfield II and T-ball field) have been built. Sharkey Field has been renovated; a batting cage has been added, along with new fencing. In 2002, a press box/concession stand, restrooms and stadium bleachers were constructed. In 2004, an electronic scoreboard was erected.

Point Park University, Butler High School Varsity, Butler High School Jr. Varsity and Junior High teams, Cincinnati Red's Tryout Camp, Saxonburg Eagle County, as well as other organizations have used Sharkey Field and Highfield II. WPIA playoffs have been held at our facility in the past. Highfield Youth Baseball has hosted Tri-State Palomino and High School playoffs in the past. Seneca Valley hosts an annual Wooden Bat Tournament the last weekend of June each year and in addition to their own fields, they use both Sharkey and Highfield II for tournament play.

Field maintenance has been provided by the members of Highfield Youth Baseball; namely, Gene Zawrotuk, Don Kildoo and Ron Zawrotuk. They have been responsible for mowing, lining, weeding, seeding and whatever other field preparation is necessary on the four fields that are continuously in use. Stan Czzowitz, a member of Highfield Community Center has also been instrumental in the care of Highfield Park; his responsibility encompasses mowing and maintenance of the areas surrounding the fields. Over the years, we have had other community-minded people share in the maintenance of the fields and they include Ed Benko, Steven Kalina and his son Steven G. Kalina, who also was manager of the Highfield Hawks.

April begins the season for Highfield Park. When the regular season ends in July, a fall baseball season begins and lasts until the end of October, weather permitting. This fall ball season culminates with a team participating in the Southeastern Tennessee Classic Tournament.

The concession stand operates from late April through October. Paula and Cher share duties in purchasing supplies, preparing foods and operating the stand. The stand serves a variety of foods all made fresh on the premises. Volunteers help take orders and sell refreshments as needed.

It has been exciting to see Highfield Youth Baseball grow and take shape. We are very proud of our facility and make every effort to upgrade and keep Highfield Park in excellent condition thanks to the help of our members and volunteers.