History

Both the Edgewood #1 and #2 fields lack proper dugouts with benches and fences to protect players waiting their turn to bat and full backstops to prevent popups from going into the street.  In addition, Edgewood #1, on the corner of Edgewood and Nelson Roads, is located so close to the street corner that players often stand behind the backstop on the sidewalk. 

In November, the EAA made a Powerpoint presentation on the state of our baseball/softball fields to Beth Fridakis, the School District Budget Liaison.  The presentation included photos not only of the Edgewood fields, but of the safer and superior fields at the other Scarsdale elementary schools.  With Ms. Fridakis' assistance, the EAA was able to receive the support of the Edgewood PTA and Dr. Houseknecht for the ballfield improvement project.  

At the Community Budget Forums held by the school district on January 16th and 18th, EAA representatives presented handouts and made speeches stressing the need to improve safety conditions at the fields and seeking support for the improvements. 

On March 6th and on March 20th, the EAA walked the school grounds with Dr. Houseknecht, school district staff, and a fencing consultant to discuss the required ballfield improvements.

Future Improvements

As a result of the EAA's efforts, the school district has now set aside significant funding for improvement of the Edgewood fields.

Edgewood #1, on the corner of Edgewood and Nelson Roads, will be moved west and north approximately 6 feet, away from the street corner and toward the playground, to make room on both sides of the foul lines for dugouts.  Each dugout will have straight fencing in front of a concrete slab with a movable bench.

Edgewood #2, on the corner of Rodney and Nelson Roads, will move west a few feet (closer to the school) and be rotated slightly towards Rodney.  These changes will give more room on the Nelson side of the field for a dugout.  Dugouts on both the Rodney and Nelson sides will have L-shaped fences around a concrete slab with a movable bench.
 
The backstops at both fields will be replaced and be similar to what the other Scarsdale elementary schools already have.  The school district expects to bid out the work in April and select a company to perform the work this spring.  Construction on the fields is expected to begin the last week of June and finish well before school opens in the fall.

Edgewood #3 Batting Cage

Edgewood #3, the small grassy area along Edgewood Road by the playground and towards the kindergarten area, had a portable backstop for many years.  Edgewood #3 is used in the spring for kindergarten through third grade girls softball clinics and practices.  In the off-seasons, the backstop was moved to an unused area of the school yard until the next spring. 

When the Edgewood school was expanded several years ago, the backstop was moved to another location in Scarsdale.  When construction on the new school addition was completed, the EAA sought the return of the backstop, but the backstop could no longer be located. 

Thanks to the persistence of the EAA over several years, this year the Recreation Department has purchased a new portable backstop for use at Edgewood #3.  Crews have already assembled the backstop and K-3 coaches are looking forward to using it when the softball season begins.