The city of Santa Clarita recently completed a series of updates to baseball and softball fields at a number of city parks, resulting in safety enhancements and visual upgrades that will benefit players at these facilities.

Staff members from the city’s Parks division and Adult Sports office collaborated on improvements that will benefit fields at Central Park, Canyon Country Park, Bouquet Canyon Park, Bridgeport Park and Newhall Park.

At Canyon Country Park, staff members completed a turf renovation at the ball field, while also adding nearly 600 feet of yellow fence cap to the outfield fence. In addition to aiding hitters in seeing where the fence is in the outfield, the fence cap provides added safety for fielders as well.

The installation of distance signs to the outfield fence also improves the aesthetic quality of the field and brings it in line with others in the City.

In preparation of the fall Adult Sports Softball season, staff also worked to renovate all four softball fields at Central Park. This involved removing old brick dust material, leveling uneven playing surfaces and applying new “Heritage Red” professional infield conditioner, which regulates moisture in the infield and provides for a safe, non-slick field.

The bases on the infield at Central Park, Bouquet Canyon Park, Bridgeport Park and Newhall Park were also moved back five feet to a new distance of 65 feet between each base.

Moving the bases back allows for more reaction time for fielders, improving both player safety measures and the quality of play.

Adult Sports staff also installed “RESPECT THE GAME” signs in dugouts at these four parks as a reminder for participants to have fun, be safe and enjoy friendly competition.

For more information about recent improvements made to fields at Santa Clarita parks, call Bryan Peck, Parks Administrator, at 661-290-2226.