MARS — At first glance, it's simply going to be another softball field.

But everyone involved will tell you that it means so much more than that.

Mars Area Girls Softball will be unveiling a new playing field next spring: the Sydney Bahney Memorial Field.

Its namesake played in the league's instructional division before dying in December 2002 at the age of 9.

"We just want to give her family another way to remember her," said league president Larry Matko. "She is constantly on their minds."

Sydney's parents, Ken and Coreen Bahney, still live in Adams Township.

"Sydney was outgoing, friendly and funny," Coreen Bahney said. "And she loved playing softball."

Sydney died shortly after Christmas in 2002 from a hemorrhage that stemmed from a removed brain tumor. This past Friday would have been her 13th birthday.

The Bahney family annually gives the youth slow-pitch softball league $1,000 from money raised at a charity golf event held in Sydney's honor. Now that money is going to be put to good use.

The organization has lost one of its playing fields and is on the verge of losing the other two.

"We lost Haas Field in Valencia because it was on St. Barnabas' property and they decided to build more houses," said Matko. "And our other two fields, Hespenheide, off of Route 228, and Valencia Park, may soon be gone. We wanted to have a field we can count on."

Four months ago, Matko approached Mars borough officials about acquiring land on which the new field could be built.

"All seven members of the council were very receptive to Larry's request," said Sally Trugan, a member of the borough council and chairwoman of parks and recreation. "My son was actually in the same class as (Sydney)."

"The (borough council) was very helpful," said Matko. "They pretty much gave us free rein as to what we wanted to do. They were so gracious just to give us the land, but they've also helped us out with the cost of building the field."

Ground was broken last month on the new field, which is located on Clay Avenue in Mars, and it is nearing completion.

"We have to lay down some sod on Tuesday and that will be it as far as the actual field goes," said Eric Knapp, owner of Pheasant Ridge Landscaping.

"We still have to put up a fence and a concession stand and a few other things," said Matko. "The field will have a grass infield, and our goal is to make it the nicest field around."

Mars is planning a parade to dedicate the field next spring.

"All of this isn't about us losing fields," Matko said. "It's about Sydney."

The field will serve all 19 teams that compete in the league, with players ranging in age from 5 to 18.

"The league is strong," said Matko. "The last few years we've had around 230 girls playing."

Now those players will have a new field to play on, one that is named for a very special former player.

"The fact that they're going to name the field after Sydney, I think it's absolutely incredible," said Coreen Bahney.