For years, the Oregon City High School softball team had an unofficial gauge for how bad field conditions were: duck sightings.
"While I was playing, there were ducks on the standing water in the fields—during games!" recalled Hailey Hamilton, OCHS Class of 2017 softball captain and now a parent of future players. That soggy outfield, nicknamed "The Swamp," would pool water so deep that waterfowl made it their home. The team practiced and played around the puddles when they could, but the flooding meant constant schedule disruptions.
Those days are now officially over—for softball, baseball, and the wider OCHS community.
What began with a ribbon cutting ceremony on February 6 celebrating a brand-new turf surface at the varsity softball field has continued with the completion of a new turf surface at the varsity baseball field as well. Together, these improvements represent a major step forward in improving Oregon City's facilities thanks to the voter approved 2025 bond.
Solving Real Problems
Fellow senior captain Maggie Schneider shared about the academic toll: "Last year with the dirt field, we would have to leave classes early to change fields for practices because the field was unplayable."
And senior captain Sophie Funnemark spoke to the end of the scheduling nightmare: "We won't have as many cancellations due to rain. This will benefit the youth program and [it] provides more space options for practice."
The same challenges that defined softball's experience — canceled practices, schedule disruptions, and deteriorating playing conditions — were felt equally by the baseball program. With both fields now featuring new turf surfaces, those obstacles are behind both programs.
A Community Investment
The softball field celebration brought together OCHS players and Oregon City youth softball players, newly appointed head coach David Blevens, Board Chair Katie Wilson, Vice Chair Michael Canchola, board members Dr. Heidi Blackwell, Pamela White, and Ryan Pitz, district leadership and staff, bond team members, and community supporters.
Bond Director David Hobbs opened the ceremony by thanking the community for their investment in practical improvements that students need — updated learning spaces that work, from classrooms to outdoor facilities like these fields.
Wilson and Canchola celebrated the community's support and emphasized the district's commitment to being good stewards of that investment — creating functional spaces where students can grow, compete, and thrive.
The ceremony's highlight came when Superintendent Dr. Dayle Spitzer took the mound to throw the ceremonial first pitch, officially dedicating the softball field for play. With the baseball field now complete as well, both programs are ready to take the field — in virtually any weather.
Smart Design, Multiple Benefits
While softball and baseball players are the first to call the new turf fields home, the practical impact reaches across the OCHS campus and community — exactly the kind of multi-use value the bond was designed to deliver.
"The new turf creates a safer, more durable playing surface that will allow for more consistent practices, games, and outdoor learning opportunities throughout the year — rain or shine," said Coach Blevens, who anticipates practicing outside around 95% of the time now. "With three teams, the more fields we can utilize, the better the overall experience will be for all."
Sophomore Zoe Talley, a marching band member and former lacrosse player, shared her memories of the old conditions: "[There were] tons of holes and mud puddles, kids falling in and ruining shoes, rolling ankles. For lacrosse, turf is easier to get the ball with the stick from the ground versus regular grass. Our uniforms and cleats won't get ruined. Our fields will be nice and presentable for visiting teams."
She also noted the extended use: "It will help with PE classes too — we won't have to worry about getting messy and can use it more throughout the entire school year."
Practical Wins Across the Board
Physical Education teacher and Head Football Coach Aaron Skinner sees the turf fields impacting everyday student experiences, not just athletics.
"The turf fields will be so incredibly beneficial for our students and student-athletes," Skinner explained. "This will provide opportunities in weight lifting and athletic development classes to utilize the surface for speed and agility work. It will also be a consistent surface for us to use regardless of weather during our PE Activities classes."
For football, the improvements solve logistical headaches too: "We will eliminate the need for commuting from campus to the stadium, which will make us way more efficient with time and limit the burden of travel for parents during the summer months. Additionally, this will allow us to have all three levels of our program together in one location. That will be huge for program continuity."
Sophomore football player Wyatt Hansen appreciated the simple logic: "Having these new practice fields at the high school will make it easier for students who can't drive to get to practices since they won't have to find a ride to Jackson Stadium."
Community Value, Student Pride
OCHS Principal Greg Timmons emphasized what quality facilities mean for students: "These fields will generate improved performance from our players and promote teamwork while being proud of their facility."
Facilities Coordinator Suz Figini noted the community dimension: "The Tumwata and Gardiner turf fields are rented quite frequently and sports teams are so thankful to have the opportunity to play on them. We want our community to have opportunities outside of the schools [just] as they do inside our schools."
Jon Benjamin, Oregon City Soccer Club President, sees the practical community benefits: "These new fields will promote interest in renting out the spaces. It's more enjoyable for spectators as well as for players to be proud of their fields."
Hamilton, now watching as a parent, summed up the multi-generational impact: "Youth will have more fields to practice on. As a parent, I am very excited to have my children play on safe and updated fields."
Looking Ahead
With the varsity softball and baseball turf fields now both complete, the next major milestone in the OCHS fields and grounds project is the installation of new turf on the multipurpose field directly behind the school — a space used by student-athletes, marching band members, JROTC cadets, academic classes, and community organizations alike. Updated concessions and restrooms are also slated to follow.
For the softball and baseball teams, the wait is over. No ducks. No swamp. No more canceled practices or missed classes.
The improvements Oregon City students needed are here — and they're already making a difference.