Revamping Winkler’s senior baseball park for the future.
Winkler’s softball and baseball complex is home to numerous teams, ranging in age from the most aspiring new fastball and baseball players to experienced and highly competitive senior baseball players. To ensure Winkler’s baseball complex continues to serve both young and old, the Winkler Whips Senior Baseball Team is embarking on a vast project to improve Diamond #5.
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Who We Are
The Winkler Whips brought back senior baseball to the Winkler community in 2016. Since their return, the Whips have seen tremendous community support, not only through the avid fan base at the games, but also through financial support from local businesses. With all the support the Whips have experienced in the past 5 years, the dream to enhance the local baseball experience has grown.
The baseball field located at the corner of Grandeur Avenue and 15th Street in Winkler will see major improvements beginning Late Summer 2022. The project will be conducted in three phases.
Phase 1
INFIELD SODDING & SPRINKLER SYSTEM
Digging out the current infield and replacing with sod.
Pushing out home plate approximately 5 to 10 feet to decrease distance to the outfield fence.
Reworking and reshaping the pitcher’s mound to meet Baseball Canada and other elite level regulations.
Provide more foul territory space by increasing the distance between the dugouts and foul lines.
Provide a new sprinkler system to improve maintenance and prolong quality of the new infield.
Phase 2
DUGOUTS & CONCRETE BACKSTOP
New, below-ground dugouts to improve safety from foul balls as well as more privacy for players and coaches from surrounding spectators.
The proposed substantially bigger dugout would increase the space large teams have to store equipment.
Concrete backstop with padding will provide long-term durability and less long-term maintenance than the current chain link fence.
New protective netting to improve sight-lines for spectators and provide greater safety for players pursuing foul balls.
Phase 3
Outfield Wall, Batter’s Eye & Scoreboard
New outfield fence with the same dimensions as the current fence, but with protective padding and a more protective top to avoid major injury to players making plays at the wall.
The new fence would allow for appropriate methods of securing advertising and sponsorship slots that are highly visible to spectators.
New scoreboard to improve game details for players, coaches and spectators as well as provide more advertising and sponsorship slots for local business support.
New batter’s eye (Measurements TBD) to improve the playing experience for players and improve sight-lines for spectators. The current backdrop behind the pitcher’s mound is substantially hindered by the glare off of Winkler’s new skate park.
Phase 4
Bonus Phase: Night Baseball
Our ultimate goal is to add lights to the diamond to allow for additional night time games. There is no formal plan in place for the phase at this time.
How You Can Support the Project
Sponsorship
Numerous sponsorship packages are available. Tiered sponsorships include logo placements in high visibility locations throughout the ballpark.
Donations
Donations to the project will be accepted and forwarded to the City of Winkler. Donations can be made through this website by clicking the button below. Cheques will also be accepted and can be mailed to:
Winkler Ballpark Improvements Project
51 Chevy Drive
Winkler MB R6W 0B4
Note: Please include “Ballpark Project” in the memo line.
The City of Winkler will issue you a charitable donation receipt that may be used for tax purposes.