Late August will mark the start of a comprehensive $83,410 renovation of Seaside Park’s baseball field, a project designed to address longstanding grading issues, raised infield edges and the composition of the playing surface.
Funding for the upgrade combines a $20,000 allocation from the Shattuck Fund with roughly $75,000 already secured through contributions from local booster groups, the Seasiders, Marblehead Youth Baseball and individual donors, leaving a modest $9,000 gap that officials hope to close.
The renovation comes at a time when the town juggles three high school baseball teams and a Babe Ruth program on just two available fields, a squeeze that has resulted in rain‑induced cancellations that can sideline squads for days, as noted by Commission member Mike McCarthy, whose son participates in the Babe Ruth program.
Future Enhancements and Safety Upgrades
Coach Mike Giardi, who leads both the high school baseball and boys basketball teams, described Seaside as a high‑level field that demands considerable upkeep, and he anticipates that open player benches will eventually require protective coverings as safety regulations evolve.
Planned improvements extend beyond the playing surface to include protective dugouts, an outfield fence, high‑speed internet service, livestreaming equipment and security cameras, the latter of which may necessitate coordination with the Police Department to assess existing infrastructure.
The project also aligns with upcoming tournament standards, such as the introduction of a double first base next year, and explores the possibility of converting the majors field to a 50/70 diamond configuration, which features a 50‑foot distance from the pitching rubber to home plate and 70‑foot base paths.