SPRINKER RECREATION CENTER

14824 So. "C" Street, Suite 107, Tacoma, WA 98444 (253) 798-4000

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Sprinker Dedicates New Ballfields to Tom Cross

Pierce County Parks and Recreation has just completed construction of two state-of-the-art softball fields at Sprinker Recreation Center. These new fields will be officially named the Thomas A. Cross Ballfields for the first director of Parks Department from 1958 to 1981, in honor of his vision, devotion and his untiring efforts on behalf of youth, recreation, sports and community.

Cross grew up in Pierce County, attended Tacoma Schools and the College of Puget Sound (now UPS). He played sports, organized sports, officiated sports and created programs so people of all ages could play sports. Cross was still very active in sports related activities as he demonstrated by throwing the first pitch on the new fields.

Tom passed away in December of 2003. Throughout his life, Tom strove to ensure that all Pierce County residents should have numerous and wildly varied opportunities for recreation. In his last years he was able to see the Tom Cross Endowment Fund grow and was pleased to know that this endowment will benefit future generations..

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Ballfield Construction

Constructed with state-of-the-art softball equipment in mind, fence distances are set symmetrically at 310’ to accommodate the "best of the best" slowpitch players as well as boy’s baseball and girl’s fastpitch games. The Musco lighting system was selected to minimize neighborhood intrusion and a complex irrigation system and extensive underground drainage system will enhance the maintenance of the fields as well as reduce the impact of surrounding areas. Covered dugouts have been installed and the infields contain a mixture of turface and sandy loam soil designed to recover quickly from inclement conditions.

The fence distances of the fields are set symmetrically at 310’ to accommodate the "best of the best" slowpitch players as well as boy’s baseball and girl’s fastpitch games. The Musco lighting system was selected to minimize neighborhood intrusion and a complex irrigation system and extensive underground drainage system will enhance the maintenance of the fields as well as reduce the impact of surrounding areas.

Covered dugouts have been installed and the infields contain a mixture of turface and sandy loam soil designed to recover quickly from inclement conditions. The total cost of the ballfield project was $1,154,893 with key grants received from the Youth for Athletic Facilities Fund (Inter-Agency Committee for Outdoor Recreation), the Ben B. Cheney Foundation, the Gottfried and Mary Fuchs Foundation, the Tacoma Athletic Commission, and the Tacoma Rainiers Community Fund. Additional funds were also provided by Pierce County.

The popularity of Sprinker is evident in the fact that in 2001 over 125,000 participants and spectators used the Sprinker ballfield complex for a variety of sports endeavors. The addition of two new fields will enhance the overall program and afford more players—young and old--to enjoy one of the most comprehensive recreational facilities in the Pacific Northwest.

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Ballfield Dedication Ceremony

Pierce County Parks was pleased to honor Mr. Cross in a dedication ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2002 on the fields at Sprinker. Speakers include Director of Pierce County Parks Jan Wolcott, Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg, Pierce County Councilmembers Wendell Brown and Kevin Wimsett and Former General Manager of Tacoma Baseball Club Stan Naccarato.

Many friends and prestigious members of the community came out to honor and show their affection to the man known as "Mr. Recreation" in Pierce County:

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