Sapulpa Baseball getting much-needed building upgrade

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(SPS) – “If you build it, he will come.”

It’s one of the most quoted, or misquoted, lines in movie history (most people say “they” instead of “he” but that’s neither here nor there).

It’s fitting for this particular story that that quote also comes from a baseball movie – Field of Dreams.

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When Sapulpa Chieftains Baseball head coach Steven Irvine took over the program three years ago, he was given a roster with 35 names on it. Now, that roster has grown to 65 players. The list of student-athletes coming out to play baseball has gotten so big, the program has outgrown its facilities next to Lawson Stadium.

“It’s a good problem to have,” Coach Irvine said about his program’s growing pains.

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So, on this freezing winter day, before his players arrive for practice, he’s watching a dream become reality. And it’s due to the success Coach Irvine and his coaches have had building up the Sapulpa Baseball program.

The baseball building is undergoing a $75,000 renovation project that will house two locker rooms, a new coaches office for all five coaches, a smaller office for one-on-one conversations, a new reception area, and a new media room to review game footage.

Baseball renovation project plans

“Thankfully the district has supported us,” said Coach Irvine amidst the sound of power tools in the background. “It’s been a blessing.”

Demo work began last week, and over the weekend the workers, some of whom are parents of baseball players, were hard at it installing the framing for new walls and putting in ductwork for the two-thirds of the building that was not climate-controlled.

“For the boys to know the district is behind them, the community is behind them, it’s gonna mean the world to them. They’re already excited.”

The walls, heat and air and electrical work are expected to be completed by Feb. 14. After that comes the painting and flooring.

“This thing is going to be operational here in a couple of weeks and we’ll just be excited to have our own space and have something new and we’ll make it as nice as we can over time.”

The entire project won’t be finished by the time the season starts, but Coach Irvine isn’t concerned about that. He’s preached about trusting the process during his tenure and this renovation is just another process in which they trust.

“We know that if we continue to make good decisions, we do the right thing, good things will happen. It’s just havin’ a little bit of faith.”

See the video below: