Greater Altoona Girls Softball Association Altoona, IA

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by posted 09/27/2020

2023 Projects and Improvements: 

-Full renovation of Field 2 and Field 4:  New Bryan Rock infield, Infield subdrainage system, Infield irrigation system, 6' black vinyl chain link outfield fencing, New larger metal dugouts and benches, new field lighting controls, New concrete dugout and bleacher pads. 

-New rec league catching equipment and bags

 

2022 Projects and Improvements: 

-New roof installed on concession stand.  This project was supported and completed by Bakeris Roofing Company. 

-Full interior renovation of concession stand.  This project was funded in part through a Prairie Meadows Community Betterment Grant, City of Altoona Capital Improvement Grant, and donations from Ackelson Sheet Metal, Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling, Bakeris Roofing, G&S Plumbing, and Vision Electric. 

-Purchased new catching gear and equipment bags for our league teams. 

-Full renovation of Field 3

 

2021 Projects and Improvements: 

-Nets were added to all four batting cages.  The nets are intended to keep balls inside the cages and prevent balls from deflecting off the top of the cage.  A new Jugs BP1 softball pitching machine was purchased along with new pitching machine balls. 
 

-Through a continued partnership with Coke and Atlantic Bottling, new refrigeration equipment was installed to replace aging equipment in the concession stand.  Further improvements are planned this year utilizing grants from Coke and EPIC as well as capital improvement matching funds. 

-Members of the Southeast Polk Construction Class built a new shed near field 1.  The shed pad was designed to also accommodate a portable restroom. 

-Field 6 dugout roof was replaced after being ripped off by the Derecho storm in 2020.  Repairs were also made to field 4 backstop from damage sustained during the same storm. 

-New air conditioning was purchased and installed in the concession stand to replace a damaged system. 

-A portable AED (automatic emergency defibrillator) was purchased and installed at the Sam Wise softball complex. 
 

 

Website & GAGSA App: You will notice some changes to the look and feel of our website. We have made these changes to help improve online capabilities, including registration and payments, field, cage, and pitching lane reservations/scheduling, game scheduling as well as home pages for each team that will include notifications sent directly to parents when changes to schedules occur or reminders of upcoming events. 

Coaches and parents can also download the SportsSignUp Play App and link to their teams.  The app can be used to view upcoming team schedule, league standings, and team roster. 

 

Registration Process:  You may have noticed that there were some increases in cost for registration. These increases were added to both our Tournament and League programs equally. The board has elected to not do a fundraiser, but instead will charge a $15 capital improvement fee. This change is not only in response to survey suggestions, but also based on the performance of the fundraiser the past few years. This money will go directly back into the complex to provide more opportunities for the members (complex additions are highlighted below). 

The board also passed a change with the volunteer process. There is a $40 volunteer deposit included with the registration this year.  This money will not be kept by GAGSA, but will be used to pay for volunteer shifts.  Each member will have the opportunity to work a shift (4 hours) and will receive the $40 back. If the member chooses to not work a shift, this $40 will be used to pay for a volunteer to cover that shift. We have added our volunteer schedule to our website and members are able to sign-up for shifts that work for their schedule. This is a change from years past, where entire teams were assigned shifts to cover. This also comes from recommendations received from our surveys this past year. 

Our organization is entirely volunteer based. We generate the majority of our revenue to maintain and improve the complex from hosting not only league nights, but tournaments during the weekend. We are asking each family to work a total of 4 hours to help during the season. If members would like to volunteer for additional shifts, we of course would appreciate that too!

 

 

GAGSA Board