PARK HISTORY
Spring Ball 2012


Well, thanks to Mr. Pete Roberson I can now answer that question.  Pete moved to Highland City in 1947 and with his love for baseball and his community, Pete and a few other gentlemen such as, Mr. Gene Henderson, Mr. James Pervatt and Mr. Tommy Mann had a dream.

There was no organized baseball, in fact there was no ball park. There was however a clay ball field on land owned by Mr. Tobb Colbert. It was located in the field behind the Highland City Fire Department and Mr. Colbert allowed access to the community. The field had no bases or stands for the parents to sit on, nor did it have dugout's for the players. But it did have a backstop and that's all they needed to get the league started. Pete doesn't know when the field was actually constructed but he does know it was prior to 1947 and it was used primarily by the Highland City Elementary school classes.

In 1967 they set out to Organize a league and Mr. Gene Henderson was elected as the first President. He chartered the league with Dixie Youth and they became known Highland City Dixie Youth Baseball. The cost for registering a child to play was $3.00 and that covered their insurance and charter fees. This single field served them for seven years, but with the increased growth of their league they needed to find a home. Mr. James Pervatt was the firs to approach the county about the land where the park is located today. He dealt with Mr. Jack Simmers who was the county commissioner at that time. The land was owned by the Polk County School Board and it was a grapefruit and tangerine grove at the time.

Mr. Simmers and the school board struck a deal and the county agreed to pay the school board the sum of $1.00 per year to lease the land. So with the land secured they set out to build a ball park. And when I say they set out to build a ball park I mean literally. The park was built by the community not the county. The above mentioned men went to work with tractors, shovels, hammers, etc... They built a ball park! Mr. Simmers remained instrumental in the development of the park, he persuaded the county to purchase all the blocks to build the concession stand, however it was up to the league to get the blocks laid. The league called on Mr. Simmers throughout the construction and he stepped up to the plate every time.  These men felt that the park would never have become a reality had it not been for Mr. Simmers and when it was complete they honored him by dedicating the park to him.

League Presidents from 1967 (the beginning) through today.

1) Mr. Gene Henderson was President from 1967 through 1969 at the old ball field. Served 2 years.
2) Mr. James Pervatt was President from 1970 through 1971 at the old ball field. Served 2 years.
3) Mr. Pete Roberson was President from 1972 through 1973 at the old ball field, and was the first League President of the new park in 1974, Pete served another 9 years making his total 11 years as president. Field #1 was dedicated in his honor and still bears his sign to this day.
4) Mr. Tommy Mann was the fourth League President and served 6 to 8 years. Field #4 was dedicated to Mr. Mann and still bears his sign to this day.
5) Mr. Ken Griffen was fifth and he served for 2 years.
6) Mr. Cardwell, " Pete drew a blank on his first name but will advise me when he remembers. Mr. Cardwell served for 2 years.
7) Mr. Phil Womble was the seventh and Mr. Womble was responsible for moving the league from Dixie Youth to Babe Ruth which it remains today. Mr. Womble also Added the T-Ball field #5 during his service. Were not sure of the total years he served but I will provide it later, he is still local here. I'm guessing 5 + years.
8) Mr. Mike Branch served one year as the eighth president.
9) Mr. Steve Aryesman served 2 years.
10) And that brings us to me. I have served for the past 7 years.


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