If you build it they will come

By Missy Hermes (photos provided)

New York Mills has a baseball heritage reminiscent of the heyday of town ball in Minnesota when the crack of the bat and the smell of fresh popcorn drew in city dwellers as well as farm families from surrounding townships. The first games were played on sawdust lots instead of sand, reflecting the community’s background as a lumber milling town. Baseball has been played here since 1916 except for a few years during World War II when players went to serve their country.

This is a community with a legacy of America’s pastime. Local teams, the Millers and the NY Mills Eagles, have outstanding records of winning seasons and post season play. These players are hitting with hot bats on hallowed ground at Smith Park where signs welcome spectators to Russ Jacobson Field named for a Minnesota Baseball Hall of Famer who played and managed teams here for 20 years.

The historic structure dugouts built by hardworking craftsmen reflect the era of hometown ball games. Great Depression dollars helped build the original ballpark and put unemployed men back on their feet. The resulting diamond provided the town with a community recreation center that raised generations of players. In 1950, the first lights were installed while new scoreboards shine today.

Today, New York Mills is as likely to host girls softball games as it is baseball. Brand new updates at the Lund Park complex include two newly renovated, regulation size softball diamonds plus a top notch concession stand, announcer’s booth and restrooms. Tailgaters will enjoy the picnic shelters and BBQ grills on site.

Lund Park recently hosted the Minnesota American Legion state fastpitch softball tournament, thanks in part to the hard work of another lakes country resident, Michael Arvidson of Parkers Prairie.