Work Underway On Austin's Baseball Field Makeover

Crews started work this week to overhaul a baseball field at an Austin, Indiana park. The town known best for an HIV outbreak is now getting a different kind of national recognition.

Austin beat out three other finalists for a Major League Baseball Scott’s Field Refurbishment grant.

The community gets up to $50,000 worth of products and services to spruce up the baseball field at Austin Community Park. The community’s little league, middle school and high school teams use the space.

Crews are installing a sprinkler system, grading and sodding the field, and installing nets around the perimeter.

Austin Clerk and Treasurer Chris Fugate says the community is excited to see the transformation.

“They want to see the finished product,” Fugate says. “We’ve had people drive by and [say] ‘When’s it going to be, when’s it going to be, when’s it going to be ready?'”

Work on the field could wrap up next week. Once the project is complete, MLB and Scott’s will host a ribbon cutting ceremony.