Baseball, softball Teams Get New outfield Fence After Decades Of Planning

By: Riley Suszkiw and Aidan Vogts

Christmas may be a couple weeks away, but Glenelg’s baseball and softball teams have already been given quite the gift: a new outfield fence.  

The outfield fences have been in the works for decades, according to athletic director Dan Sageman.

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​Glenelg had used the same portable four-foot tall fence that wraps around part of the outfield. But in the past two years the baseball field has received proper drainage treatment, making it possible to install concrete posts. 

Glenelg was the last school in the county without a proper outfield fence, Sageman said. 

“An improved field changes how our team views themselves when playing,” added Sageman. “Both additions bring a sense of pride to the community and the team, and when you look good playing, you feel good.”

Senior Zach Jaap, who plays pitcher/middle infield welcomes the new fence.

“I think the new fences are very beneficial to those who play both softball and baseball,” Jaap said. “However, the new fence cuts into that open field, which I know other teams use. But as a baseball player I’m happy that we finally have a fence like most other high schools.”

Haley Markel, varsity softball team captain and shortstop, also appreciated the changes, but acknowledges it would have been nice for a fence to have been installed sooner. 

“I’ve been on varsity since my freshman year. I just think it’s been time to get some real [fences],” Markel said. “Our fields deserve upgrades just as the turf field and basketball court got. Removable fences are really meant for multi-purposed fields, but our fields don’t change throughout the year.” 

Jaap and Markel have both seen the fields change over the past four years that they’ve attended Glenelg.

Sageman said he hopes to continue to upgrade more after the fence. He said that a “batting cage is definitely on the radar,” which would just add more to the program. Getting turf from an old football field could be a part of that addition, as a small strip of it could be placed inside of the batting cage, making it significantly better, according to Sageman.

Sageman and players agree the new fence is a welcomed addition to the field and to the greater Glenelg community.