Play ball!

For that to become a reality next spring in one community, the Evans City Community Athletic Association needs some help.

The organization's T-Ball, minor league baseball and softball fields were completely submerged and severely damaged by the recent flood waters in the area.

"We're looking at around $5,000 in repairs, and that's not counting the new infield dirt we're going to need for all of the fields," said association president Paul Rankin.

Rankin said three feet of water covered two of the fields at one point. A third field, located next to a creek, was covered by 10 feet of water.

"I've been on the board for four years and have been coaching for seven," said association vice president Dean Ference said. "I've never seen that creek come over its banks before."

The organization serves 250 to 275 players ages 5 to 16. It has been able to make one field playable to finish its fall season, which ends in another 10 days.

Rankin said about 10 volunteers "worked for 10 hours after everything calmed down and restored the fence on a field and got the field playable.

"It's far from being what it was, but it will get us through the rest of the season. We're grateful to the Zelienople and Cranberry associations for use of their facilities this fall, too," Rankin said.

Fences were knocked down on all of the fields and were ruined in some cases. Two refrigerators, a freezer and beverage cooler - along with food and beverages - were also destroyed.

One field eroded to the point that 10 to 15 feet of playing area was lost. Repairs are needed to the bank along Breakneck Creek to prevent further erosion.

Rankin estimates that cost at nearly $10,000.

"We lost a lot of dirt," Ference said. "We're probably looking at $2,000 to $3,000 of infield dirt that needs replaced.

"Our concession building itself went undamaged. We were fortunate there."

A cottage floated across one field and rammed into the right field fence, destroying it. Sponsorship signs on outfield fences were also lost.

"I got off work that Friday at 5:30 p.m. and went to check out the fields," Rankin said. "When I saw the water was ready to come up, I ran home to get my camera.

"Within 20 minutes, I was back and there was three feet of water on that field."

The association doesn't have flood insurance and isn't eligible for federal assistance.

"Everything we do is volunteer, including the flood cleanup," Rankin said. "It's been coaches and parents working on those fields. An excavating company donated use of its equipment so we could move the dirt."

Rankin is hopeful that someone looking to get rid of a used refrigerator and/or freezer will donate it "so we don't have to use funds to buy new appliances."

The association is considering organizing a fund-raiser sometime in January.

Anyone interested in donating funds toward the restoration of the fields can call Rankin at 724-234-2093.

Rankin said final field restoration work will be completed by early April to ensure the 2005 season will begin on time.