Improved ballfield and youth soccer field coming to Spencer

SPENCER, W.Va. (WSAZ) – Roane County youth athletes, coaches, and their families will soon have a new and improved space to play in Spencer.

Roane County Little League Board Member and parent Ryan Metheney said having better facilities for his kids to play means the world because when floodwaters hit, they always have to clean or move.

“We have had to finish our season on the softball fields for the high school, so it’s a huge addition to have this,” Metheney said.

Officials will break ground on Thursday for the new Freshwater Field along U.S. 119 and Virginia Street. When complete, it will be the first regulation Little League field and youth soccer field out of a flood zone in that area.

“It’s just a wonderful thing to have,” Mayor Terry Williams said. “I just can’t wait until the first ball is thrown out.”

“Spencer is special,“ Scott Freshwater said. ”I’ve been here my entire life, so this means a lot to me personally.”

“Amazed and astonished that they were able to do this for the community, it’s an absolutely amazing day,” Metheney said.

The fields will have a press box, concessions, turf field, restrooms, bleachers, dugouts and state-of-the-art lights.

Williams hopes this field will promote a healthy lifestyle and support youth sports.

“Nothing better than driving by a field and seeing kids on it, especially with the lights on,” Williams said.

“Having a proper field and learn the fundamentals of baseball, but not only baseball, because you can learn leadership abilities to go forward in life that you learn at this level,” Metheney said.

Metheney said he can’t wait for opening day.

“They can just come on the field and start practicing and playing in the evening. They don’t have worry about getting the fields ready and stuff. It’s going to be awesome for the kids off their cell phones and iPads and put them down and play the game of baseball that everyone loves.”

Freshwater said they hope to throw the first pitch spring of next year — just in time for spring Little League.

The ball field was privately funded by the Freshwater Family Foundation. They estimate it to cost around $1 million.

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