BEMIDJI--Build it and they will come.

That's the philosophy of the Bemidji Baseball Association and Bemidji State University as the two entities signed a contract the construction of an upgraded baseball facility on the BSU campus at 19th Street and Bemidji Avenue.

"We've had this plan in our minds for several years," said Bemidji State head baseball coach and Bemidji Youth Baseball (BYB) board member Jim Grimm. "We just had to spend some time determining which field would work best for accommodating a well-lighted, upgraded facility that everyone in the community could enjoy and benefit from. Once the board (BBA) decided on which field to renovate, we went a step further with plans for a showcase facility."

Lights for the new field will be installed in the next few months, according to the contract terms, with plans for a grandstand, chair-back seating, bleachers and a press box to be completed in the fall of 1998. The addition of bleachers and seats will bring the BSU field capacity to over 700.

"This will be a flagship baseball facility for the community," said Bemidji Baseball Association member and Bemidji Youth Baseball president Warren Meissner. "The field affords Bemidji the opportunity to serve as host for a variety of quality baseball events at all levels of competition."

The new BSU baseball facility will serve as the home field for the Beavers, the Bemidji Mudcats amateur team, American Legion and varsity high school baseball, Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW) teams, Babe Ruth leagues and a host of youth baseball in the Bemidji area.

Selected for accouterments such as parking and high visibility, the inclusion of lights for the site enables Bemidji to serve as host for high school and American Legion playoff games. The BBA/BSU agreement will also provide Bemidji's youth exclusive use of the facility during their playing season.

Bemidji baseball may project an image to many of Boston's Fenway Park as construction plans include a 24-feet by 80-feet left field wall closing in the diamond. Dimensions of the outfield will be 295-feet to left field, 390-feet to center and 321-feet to right, with gaps measuring 400-feet to the fence.

The BBA, responsible for facility maintenance, fundraising and ticket sales, has adopted a unique approach for generating revenue and securing a fan base. BBA board members are selling chair-back seats to fans for a lifetime with a $125 donation. Chair-back owners are not just assured a seat in the stadium for any baseball event with the price of admission. They are actually guaranteed their own personalized seat, commemorating their donation and commitment to Bemidji baseball.

Spearheaded by Bemidji Baseball Association board members Dana Ross, BBA president, Tom Welle, Steve Fogelson, John Buckanaga, Corey Stittsworth and Steve North among others, project fundraising is still underway. For information on purchasing chair-back seats, contact any BBA or BYB member, or any youth coach in the Bemidji area.