Little Oaks Ball Park in Mabelvale is in desperate need of repair. Blair Ragsdale and others at Mabelvale UMC are raising money to fix up the park so community kids have a place to play. || Photo provided by Mabelvale UMC
Little Oaks, Big Dreams
Mabelvale’s ballpark needs help. The local UMC is working to give them a community space again By Sam Pierce Featured Contributor,
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@sjamespierce
lair Ragsdale has only ever been thrown out of one ballpark in her life.
“An umpire and I got into it one evening and he tossed me,” she said. “There are a lot of good memories over there. I’m 68 and I have spent many an hour with my children when they were growing up — it was a good time. “I’d like the children now to have that same experience.” Ragsdale currently serves on the board of directors for the Mabelvale Youth Association, which is working towards restoring the Little Oaks Ballpark. “We are trying to give the kids a place that is safe and a family atmosphere,” Ragsdale said. “We want to see the community kids be involved in something that is healthy and it motivates them to be a better family — better parents.”
She said a local group donated 18 acres that are adjacent to the ball fields, and eventually, the goal is to put in soccer fields and have a sports complex for this area near Little Rock. Ragsdale said, right now, children have to travel 30 miles to play ball, in any direction. “There isn’t any place close for these children,” she said. “Hopefully, we can get the ball fields up and going, even if it is just for day games. “We have been working on this for about two years now. The church has held fundraisers, but it is going to take time and effort to get this ballpark open. It is going to take a lot of help and prayers. “Hopefully, we can get one or two fields where the kids can play during the day.” Ragsdale is also a member of Mabelvale United Methodist Church, which sits across the street from the ball fields.
She said there are quite a few children in the area that need help, desperately.
“This is a community-owned park, it is not owned by the city,” Ragsdale said. “We want to get some community interest in getting it going, and we need help with some of the projects.
“The family situation is not good in our area. Our goal is to get a safe place, somewhere close, where they can go and play ball and have an area to play,” Ragsdale said.
“We have to repair fences, and the bleachers all need to be painted and done. We are in desperate need of finances and
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