Softball Comes Home to Taylor Field
On Tuesday, May 16, 2023 Gilmour Academy held a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony at its newly renovated softball field, named Taylor Field in recognition of the generosity of Bruce and Virginia Taylor. Other major supporters include the O’Rourke family and the New York Community Foundation as well as Jim ’67 and Mary Conway, and Jose and Rita Rizo-Patron. These supporters and other donors provided the funding for the $380,000 field as part of Gilmour’s Campaign for Lancer Athletics.
The renovation project was led by the steadfast efforts of current Gilmour parent Chris Paradise, Trustees Joe Ciuni ’77, Rob Miavitz ’87 and Jose Rizo-Patron, and others. Paradise was instrumental in determining how best to address the much-needed improvements for the field and managed the project from start to finish.
The program’s existing field had become unusable and the program had not played a home game since 2017. In recent years, they have played home games in Mayfield, at Ursuline College and at Notre Dame College.
The renovations were completed in time for the team to play their first playoff game at home on their new field on May 8. They defeated Massillon Washington High School 12-7.
Head of School Kathy Kenny said of the project, “We are so grateful to Chris Paradise, Jose Rizo-Patron, Joe Ciuni, Rob Miavitz and our community of donors, who came together to make this field a reality, ensuring that the Gilmour girls softball program could return home to play on one of the best grass fields in town.”
The renovations were completed in time for the team to play their first playoff game at home on their new field on May 8. They defeated Massillon Washington High School 12-7.
Head of School Kathy Kenny said of the project, “We are so grateful to Chris Paradise, Jose Rizo-Patron, Joe Ciuni, Rob Miavitz and our community of donors, who came together to make this field a reality, ensuring that the Gilmour girls softball program could return home to play on one of the best grass fields in town.”
The improved field and complex now includes:
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sub-surface drainage system to reduce water collection and rainouts
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infield made of a premium ball field mix of drying agents and red crushed brick mixture (what premier ballparks in inclement weather regions use)
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backstop with increased height and length
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fully enclosed home and away dugouts
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outfield and sideline fencing connecting to the rest of the structure (now a fully enclosed ballpark)
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full batting cage and bullpen
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new scoreboard
Phase II renovations include:
- scoreboard installation and electrical power to the site
- outfield drainage installation
RAY MURPHY
Chief Advancement Strategy Officer
(440) 473-8089
Contact for more information about naming and sponsorship opportunities still available. Additional funds raised will be applied to extending the outfield drainage system and future maintenance and field improvements.
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Sponsorship Levels
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Stands/Seating SOLD
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$40,000
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Infield
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$35,000
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Outfield
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$35,000
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Home Dugout
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$25,000
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Visitors' Dugout
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$25,000
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Home Bullpen
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$25,000
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Away Bullpen
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$25,000
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Batting Cage SOLD
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$25,000
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Backstop
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$25,000
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Warning Track
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$10,000
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Outfield Fence SOLD
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$10,000
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Windscreen
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$10,000
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Pitcher's Mound SOLD
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$5,000
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Home Plate SOLD
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$5,000
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First Base SOLD
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$5,000
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Second Base SOLD
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$5,000
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Third Base SOLD
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$5,000
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Home Batter's Box (Right) SOLD
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$2,500
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Visitor Batter's Box (Left) SOLD
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$2,500
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First Base Coach's Box SOLD
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$2,500
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Third Base Coach's Box SOLD
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$2,500
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Left Field Foul Pole SOLD
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$2,500
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Right Field Foul Pole SOLD
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$2,500
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An independent, Catholic, coed, day and boarding school in the Holy Cross tradition. Toddler-Grade 12.