DECATUR — If you improve it, they will come.
That’s the hope for the Decatur Commodores.
The traveling baseball organization started intense fundraising just months ago to upgrade the facilities at Sunnyside Park. The goal is to improve the scoreboard, outfield fence, bleachers and sound system, among other things, to make it a more enticing tournament location.
“Sunnyside is a nice place; we just need to update the facilities,” said Kevin Koslofski, who coaches the 18-U Commodores team. “Time takes its toll on everything.”
Koslofski, who played 14 years professionally, noted the fundraising effort is in its infant stages, and that’s why the organization produced a CD presentation. On the CD, players and coaches give a glimpse into the program and talk about areas of the park that would benefit from upgrades. The presentation idea came from Koslofski’s boss, Chris Behnke of Behnke & Co.
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“He’s got a big heart for Decatur and kids, so it’s a natural fit for him to help us,” Koslofski said about Behnke.
The Commodores understand the economy has put a damper on a lot of gift giving, but the interest from some corporations has been good. Koslofski estimated the cost to completely upgrade the facilities as between $300,000 and $400,000.
“Now might not be a good time to ask anyone for money, but we have had some gifts given specifically,” Koslofski said. “Over time, who knows? If this video and news strikes the right person, it could do something.”
The Commodores, who are in their second year, are hosting their first tournament from June 10 to 13. The Sunnyside Invitational Tournament is bringing talent from Chicago, Kansas City and St. Louis and is sponsored by Behnke & Co.
If the fundraising goal is met, college coaches and professional scouts would have more reasons to pencil Decatur into their itinerary and see Decatur-area baseball players in action at tournaments such as this one.
“We want to try and create a venue here in Decatur that will attract college recruiters and professional scouts,” Koslofski said. “This is our first tournament, and it will help raise awareness out there and make it a community event with a high level of talent.”
The upgrades to Sunnyside Park also would benefit Millikin University baseball. It’s the Big Blue’s home field, and the improvements could help coach Josh Manning in the recruiting process.
“Facilities have a huge impact on what school an athlete chooses,” said Manning, who’s working with the Commodores on the project. “If we can improve what we have, it will no doubt help us.”
Koslofski helped start the Commodores two years ago to help Decatur’s best baseball players get recognized on the diamond. Last summer, the Commodores played about 50 games against other traveling teams in Central Illinois and took part in tournaments on college campuses.
Last year, Koslofski had two players (Evan West and Jordan Manney) begin the summer without college baseball plans. Before August, they had places to play.
“Our organization is unique,” Koslofski said. “We have a great network of contacts from the lowest level of college to the highest and some professional levels.
“We’re trying to get some attention to downstate.”
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