This spring, athletes have encountered many difficulties due to the current ongoing construction of the highly anticipated “Flex Field”. This new field has been proposed for a multitude of reasons including rough terrain and extra practice space for the abundance of spring sports teams.
According to the Aragon administration, the old baseball field limited the players by its rough and slippery terrain, the grass being very bumpy, and after rain, muddy and difficult to play on. Also, the surface level of the ground was uneven, having substantial holes and gaps within the field.
“The foul line was a seven foot drop,” said principal Valerie Arbizu when reflecting on the status of the old field.
The baseball field was also only usable for one team, the baseball team. The new flex field being built will be more versatile, hence the name, and can be used for many different teams, including soccer, cheer, football and lacrosse.
“[When] it’s football season and soccer gets going, soccer will have a place to work out without having to wait for football to be done,” Arbizu said. This new field will create a more close community around Aragon sports because of all the various teams practicing nearby each other and sharing space.
The new lights will provide a more flexible practice schedule for teams, because they can now practice during the night.
“It’ll have lights, we didn’t have lights out there before on the baseball field.” Arbizu said.
The benefits of the field will go beyond just the players. Spectators will also be affected by the new field. Another benefit of the practice field will be a better experience watching games on the field. Previously, the field had two small stands awkwardly looking down on the field. Now there will be an abundance of stands with many different views on the field. Creating more options for viewing the game could potentially reel more students to watch the Aragon teams playing on the fields.
The original completion date was the day students got back from winter break. However, the weather has caused the construction of the field to be delayed. The constant rain has created a giant puddle of rain in the back of the field, making an obstacle for construction workers to circumvent. According to Athletic Director Steve Sell, the new estimated finish time is roughly around May 1.
The team most affected by the construction is the baseball team. Athletes like sophomore Keith Matye have had to go to various schools in the district to do their practices.
“I have to be more on top of things,” Matye said, “I have to be more organized with schedule and remember where the practices are, unlike last year when all the practices were at Aragon.”
There is much buzz about what Aragon baseball will be like when the flex field is done.
“Just walking by everyday and seeing the field, I know it will be great.,” Matye said. “The new even surface will definitely make playing baseball easier, which I also think will help the team improve.”
Ideally, the flex field will be ready by the end of the school year as a much-needed addition to the Aragon athletic facilities.
