Volunteers are helping the Austin Parks and Recreation Department stretch its funds to continue work on the Riverland ball diamonds.

About 1,000 hours of work have been put in by area volunteers over the last two years, said Dan Ball, Parks and Rec board member.

The diamonds are needed after two fields were eliminated during the Wescott Field renovations. The four diamonds in the new complex have been developed over the last two years.

Volunteers have put in the majority of the labor, in light of budget problems.

They have done a number of different activities including laying sod, digging trenches, building the dugouts and putting slats in the fences.

Ball said it has not been difficult finding people to contribute to the cause.

"I think that’s one thing that’s always been there, at least in the youth sports group," Ball said. "You always find some guys to help you out."

They also received some help from six children in the sentence to serve program who had community service hours to fulfill.

Ball said some of the children really got into the effort. In fact, one asked later if he could help out some more, even though his hours were completed.

For now, there is not much work for the volunteers. However, the fields are far from finished. They still need lights, bleachers and a building for bathrooms and concessions.

&uot;Those are the biggest items,&uot; Ball said. &uot;Hopefully we’ll keep getting enough money over the next three years to get that done.&uot;

Money has come in for the fields from the community. Riverland Community College donated the land, the Hormel Foundation donated $150,000 and the school district pitched in $100,000. People involved with the project are hoping the city will give the current budgeted contribution of about $125,000.

Bob Wilson, Assistant Commissioner for Austin Youth Baseball, said the city has made a commitment to give money to the project, but he is frustrated that not much of it has come yet.

&uot;To get those fields playable, we had to go out and do it ourselves,&uot; he said. &uot;That’s how you get things done.&uot;

Wilson said the fields are important for the community and can bring people into the city. Tournaments could be a big part of that. Previously, teams would have to be scattered across the city for a tournament. Once the new diamonds are completed, Wilson said Austin is a shoo-in for the state tournament for 14-15 year olds.

&uot;Now you’ve got four diamonds in one site,&uot; he said. &uot;You tell them (the state) you want to do it, they’ll give it to you in a second.&uot;

Matt Merritt can be reached at 434-2214 or by email at matt.merritt@austindailyherald.com