The Cardinals, sponsored by Dave’s Electric, Heating and Cooling, took on the Redwings, sponsored by Syracuse Rotary Saturday. Game was suspended for a few minutes so the new Harold Schrock Athletic Complex could be dedicated.
(Photo by Lauren Zeugner)

Little league games came to a brief halt at the new ball field Saturday as the athletic complex was officially dedicated to Harold Schrock. Schrock, the father of Syracuse resident Doug Schrock, died last year.

Dick Pelletier acted as master of ceremonies for the event. Dave VanLue, president of the Syracuse Park Board, spoke of his passion for the project.

VanLue moved to Syracuse 50 years ago. Growing up he played little league baseball, coached little league and even mowed the fields as a summer job. “The dream has come true,” he said about having a permanent ballpark for Syracuse Little League.

Dave VanLue, president of the Syracuse Park Department, spoke of how he used to play and coach little league baseball on the same fields. He sees the athletic complex as a dream come true for the community. (Photo by Lauren Zeugner)

VanLue thanked the athletic complex committee, along with the street department and park department personnel who put long hours in, as well as the community which contributed the funds to make the athletic complex a reality.

It was originally thought completing the athletic complex would take two to three years. In reality, the entire project took about 18 months. VanLue gave special thanks to Larry and Patty Martindale for their years working with the community’s youth and for Larry who has been a constant presence at the athletic complex while it was under construction. He made mention of Pelletier, who he called “an amazing crazy fund-raiser.”

Syracuse Town Council President Bill Musser, tells the crowd how proud he is of the community for coming together to make the athletic complex a reality. He stated such cooperation shows the community values its children.
(Photo by Lauren Zeugner)

Bill Musser, president of the Syracuse Town Council, said he was pleased to represent the council on this special occasion. He spoke about how the community came together to make the athletic complex a reality. He thanked the Wawasee Kiwanis, park department, Wawasee Pee Wee Football and the Schrock Family “who obviously love our community.”

Musser explained the community is expanding with the industrial technology park and other projects and the athletic complex will be an asset to the community. He told the crowd he was proud to live in a community that cares about its young people. “They have truly proven Syracuse is a great place to live,” he said.

Before introducing Doug Schrock, Pelletier read the list of contributors. He gave a special thank you to Martindale for his hours of service and to the Schrock family.

Pelletier noted Harold Schrock died May 14, 2012. “He had a sense of family and community. And he was passionate about whatever he did,” Pelletier said. A successful businessman, Harold Schrock believed, “The most important aspect of any business is how you treat people.”

Doug Schrock, a major donor to the athletic complex, thanks the community for supporting the project. The athletic complex was named in honor of Schrock’s father. Schrock himself used to play slow pitch winter softball years ago. In the back are Dave Johnston, Kathleen Johnston and Dave VanLue. (Photo by Lauren Zeugner)

Schrock lived in Goshen and the little league park there bears his wife’s name. Pelletier noted Harold taught his children to be as successful and as giving as he was. In the past, Doug Schrock donated both property and funds for the Syracuse Community Center and now the athletic complex.

“Last year we determined there would be no water in the lake, so we needed a big ball park,” Schrock joked. He thanked the community for its support.

He noted phase one of the construction is mostly done, a few things had to be put on hold due to the recent rains. Bleachers and lights are next on the agenda for the park and work is continuing on that.

After the ceremony, Schrock said he was surprised the park would be open so fast. He explained he was gone for most of the winter so he didn’t get to see all the progress as it was taking place

Jack Birch, a member of Wawasee Kiwanis who is in charge of the little league program, said, “This is a huge bit of progress for the kids to play.” He is excited to provide a ball park for area youth to play baseball and softball

Chris Cotton, director of Wawasee Pee Wee Football, explained his program is a bit different in that in encompasses all the communities in the area and is essentially a travel league. In the past, Pee Wee Football has had practices at Wawasee Middle School, played games at Wawasee High School. “For us to have a place to call home … Reduce the wear and tear on the high school facilities.”

The goal posts for the football field will go up over the summer and the opening football game will be held in August. Cotton said he was looking forward to having a players reunion on opening weekend.