The Outlaws, a 9U travel baseball team, have breathed new life into an abandoned field that once served as the playground of Lakeport Elementary School in Burtchville Township, Michigan. What had become a weed‑choked eyesore for more than ten years is now a freshly prepared diamond where the team holds every practice.
From neglect to renewal
The field had lain derelict for over a decade, its grass swallowed by weeds and its infrastructure rusted. The team’s revival effort began with a simple idea: reclaim the space for the kids who love the game.
Partnering with Freedom Lighthouse Fellowship, the Outlaws secured a five‑year lease for the property. The church’s support provided both legal clearance and a rallying point for community volunteers.
Restoration required roughly 275 labor hours, contributed by the players, their parents, and friends who donated tools and heavy equipment. The collective sweat turned a crumbling lot into a playable field ready for practice.
Looking ahead
The success of this project has inspired the Outlaws to set their sights on two additional abandoned baseball diamonds nearby. Plans are already underway to apply the same community‑driven approach to those sites, ensuring a broader impact on local youth sports.
Beyond the diamonds, the revived field has become a gathering place for families, fostering a sense of pride and continuity in Burtchville Township. It stands as a testament to what can be achieved when a group of determined youngsters, a supportive church, and an engaged neighborhood join forces.