By Susan Bromley
Staff Writer
Brandon Twp.- When baseball season begins, Little Leaguers here will again be playing on undersized fields at the Sherman Village Park. But with some luck, township recreation may soon be able to provide new fields at the township community park.
The township board approved during their March 2 meeting two resolutions to apply for recreation grants from the Department of Natural Resources.
‘I’m very optimistic,? said Recreation Director Fred Waybrant. ‘I think we have a good chance and I look forward to running tournaments and generating more interest in the park as a whole. We currently have kids playing on undersized fields, new fields are definitely needed.?
Current fields at Sherman have Little Leaguers playing to a depth of 160 feet. With fields backing up to each other and players who are 10-12 years-old often hitting balls over the fence, each homerun presents a hazard to outfielders in the game on the adjoining field. Waybrant notes that by design, baseball fields should be a minimum of 225 feet.
The first recreation resolution the board passed allowed Waybrant to apply for a $100,000 DNR Land and Water Conservation Fund grant from the DNR. The township is offering to match the grant 100 percent if approved, and using the total of $200,000 for land balancing, two baseball fields and a parking area at the township park, 1414 N. Hadley Road.
Baseball fields have long been planned for the park, but development stalled with the downturn in the economy.
The second approved recreation resolution allows Waybrant to apply for a $50,000 DNR Land and Water Conservation Fund grant, with a committed $27,200 match from the township for a total of $77,200 if approved, which would be used for a basketball court, sand volleyball courts and a linking pathway.
Supervisor Kathy Thurman said funds the township receives from lease of a cell tower will be used for the matches.
‘We have a good relationship with the DNR,? said Waybrant on Tuesday, adding that DNR staff have encouraged him to reapply.
The township will learn whether they are approved for the grants in October. If approved, the land would be balanced and seed planted next year, with fields ready for both baseball and softball in 2017.

Games aren’t just for kids.
For the past year, Orion Township seniors have been taking to the softball field to play ball for a team in the Oakland County Senior Citizens Softball League. The Orion Township team, the Orion Lakers, is sponsored by the Orion Township Senior Center.
The team plays games twice a week against other senior teams from across Oakland County. When they are not on the road, the team calls Civic Center Park their home field, and they invite the public to come out and watch.
Faith Ewald, the Lakers’ lone woman player, said it is fun to see the player’s children and grandchildren come out to watch the games.
“I love softball, I played from the time I was 22 until I was 30, then I was in an over 30 league,” said Ewald. “I quit because I raised two children…then I saw the flyer for this, and it said ‘senior,’ not ‘men only'”
Ewald said her fellow players, all men, treat her with respect.
“They are nice men, very gentlemanly,” she said. “I feel it’s an honor to play with them.”
Ewald said she has made a lot of new friends through the league that she wouldn’t have been able to otherwise.
“Their wives are just precious,” she said.
The team was created after Mary Lou Enneking, director of the Orion Township Senior Center, wrote a grant for the program and received the funds from the Area Agency on Aging. The team has 16 members, including two former professional players, Harvey Rodge and Ken Deavey. Enneking said the team also has two players that are over 80 years old.
Henry Glass, the team’s manager, said the team serves a duel purpose for its members.
“The main thing is the recreational purpose you get out of it,” he said. “Camaraderie also plays a part. Just go out and have a good time.”
Joining the league costs $50, and players seem to think it is well worth the money. The Lakers began competing on May 12 and compete against five other teams in Division B on Mondays and Wednesdays. The regular season ends July 28, with playoffs in August.
For more information on the seniors softball league, contact Mary Lou Enneking at 693-2066.

The Brandon High School Varsity Softball team welcomed a new coach for their 2008 season.
A four-year starter for the University of Detroit Mercy’Kristin Martin, 23, a two-time first team All-Horizon League, attended Stevenson High School in Livonia where she played softball for three years.
Martin completed a degree in social studies education at UDM which she now teaches at Brandon High School. Martin also coached the freshman girls basketball team this year, and she coached varsity volleyball at Eisenhower High School.
Martin’s coaching philosphy is to simply win.
‘I will prepare the team as best I can in practice, then I will let them take over on the field,? said Martin.
‘Last season they had things on their mind other than softball. This year I will keep their minds on baseball and let them know that I am here to stay’I don’t want to leave.?
The varsity softball team is composed of 12 girls this season, with four seniors, two juniors, five sophomores, and one freshman. Senior Jenny Sherman has signed with Eastern Michigan University and plans to play softball there next year.
‘The senior leadership this year is great,? says Martin.
‘We have only had a few weeks practicing in the gym, and I can’t wait to get out onto the field and see what we can do.?

Independence Township Parks and Recreation opened their youth baseball/softball season with an opening ceremony, June 2.
All the teams took park in a parade at Clintonwood Park before they made their grand entrance on the field.
They were led by Umpire Joshua Punches, Girls 11-12 players Jessica Moore and Ann Marie Marion, this year’s color guard.
The ceremonial first pitch was thrown by Sergeant Marcus Lawrence from the U.S. Army Recruiting Office in Clarkston.
They have 80 teams this year from Independence Township with over 1000 kids in the program.
Every team is coached by a volunteer and is sponsored by a business. Most are sponsored by a local business.