White River Junction
The building, which is slated to cost $50,000 and take about a month to complete, has been on Nighthawks general manager Noah Crane’s radar since last year, though time constraints, a lack of funding and other improvements took priority ahead of the team’s inaugural season. Plans for the building were finally drawn up in the fall, giving Crane a better idea of how much money he needed to raise.
According to town of Hartford’s lease with the not-for-profit baseball club, the Nighthawks are responsible for “paying 100 percent of the cost of all other improvements at Maxfield that may be required or elected by the team,” though the town, which owns the facility, may elect to assist in proposed improvements.
The Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation has promised to match donations up to $25,000, meaning the Nighthawks are looking to raise $25,000 from the community to fully finance the cost. Incentives were also announced in order to raise enough money before the announced deadline of March 15, but Crane said the goal of the fundraiser is to allow the community to feel a sense of ownership of the Nighthawks’ facility.
“The Byrne Foundation has been incredibly generous to us,” he said. “We probably could have asked for all $50,000, but I want this to be a campaign to get people involved. Our season is only four months away. We want to get people thinking about baseball and excited for the Nighthawks’ season.”
Donation levels range between $100 and $1,000. The former gets the donor a season pass and their own plaque on the new building; the latter earns a ceremonial first pitch opportunity along with eight season passes, a signed team bat and plaque. Levels of $250 and $500 are also part of the effort, also with bonuses for donors.
Crane said he hopes to break ground in late March or early April and that the building could be complete as early as May 1. The Hartford High baseball team uses Maxfield for home games and practices beginning in April, meaning construction will fall during much of the Hurricanes’ regular season. But Hartford High athletic director Jeff Moreno said construction should not interfere with the Hurricanes’ season.
“We’ll work around it,” Moreno said. “The ends justify the means. … In the end, we get an enhanced facility.”
The Nighthawks begin their season on June 9 on the road against the Newport Gulls and play their first home game a day later against the North Adams Steeple Cats. Maxfield also will host the Vermont American Legion state tournament in late July.
Crane pointed to an increase in seating capacity as another improvement the Nighthawks would like to see completed before the team opens its season, though where more bleachers would be placed remains up in the air. He also doubled down on his goal of providing a video board to help enhance the fan experience, but characterized that as a longer-term concern.
“The beauty of Maxfield is everything we need to be successful is already there,” he said. “I love that place. I love playing there. It has a Field of Dreams quality. We’re really fortunate and blessed to call that our home.”
Donations can be submitted by visiting the team’s website, www.uppervalleynighthawks.com.
Josh Weinreb can be reached at jweinreb@vnews.com or 603-727-3306.