Overview of Webster Groves’s baseball field renovations
WEBSTER GROVES, Mo. — Eric Stisser and his wife, Rebecca (WGHS 1991), spearheaded the baseball Webster Grove renovation project in September of 2020. Initially, they met with Athletic Director (Jerry Collins), Principal (Dr. Matt Irvin) and Superintendent (Dr. John Simpson) to plan what renovations were needed and approved for the Webster Grove High School Baseball Facility. Along with the assistance and leadership of Eric Zareh (WGHS 1988), head baseball coach David Wiggins (WGHS 2004), and VP of Operations (Jason Mueller), the group determined the plans and funding needed for the renovation project.
In addition to soliciting direct donations from alumni, parents, friends, family and neighbors, the committee also offered dedications for the “Brick Paver Plaza.” The group also sold 35 Community Partner Sponsorship Outfield Fence Signs. In total, the group raised over $200,000 in 16-months.
Coach Wiggins indicated, “When I was hired as the Head Baseball Coach at WG, I was initially approached by a few parents/supporters who expressed their interests in upgrading our baseball facilities in effort to enhance our players’ experiences as Statesmen baseball players. I was blown away at the vast number of volunteers willing to help fundraise, draw community support, and put in real time and hard work to bring our baseball program and its facilities up to date.
Now in 2022, we have a brand-new brick backstop with netting, brand new brick dugouts adorned with WG Baseball logos, a new professional infield grooming tractor, a brick paver entrance, and upgrades to our infrastructure are still continuing to occur!!
I couldn’t be prouder to be the coach of this up-and-coming Statesmen Baseball program and I am more than thankful for the efforts, time, and money our members of the community have put into our program!!”
Eric Stisser wanted to highlight other key committee parents that helped with this overall project:
Brad Furfaro, Brandon Harp, Eric Hauser, Chris Marshall and Pat Ruzicka.
The overview of the renovation project includes two new modernized dugouts, a new backstop/netting system, field tarps, a turtle batting cage, a new infield tractor and branding graphics.
Another exciting development is a new gate and entrance to the facility which will be completed this summer along with a dedication in honor of Richard Kopplin, Jr., the first Webster Groves high school graduate to be killed in action in WWI. Currently named “Plymouth Field” because it sits on Plymouth Avenue, the facility will be renamed “Kopplin Field.” A special thanks to WGHS teacher, Terry Verstraete, for his help and leadership with this process.
For more information and donation options, please visit: www.wgfieldrenovation.org.
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