When Granny’s Attic moves to its new location, more than 250 boys baseball players and girls softball players will lose the only indoor place available to practice on Vashon. The indoor facility was built about four years ago by a group of very dedicated volunteers. Led by a few coaches/parents with their kids and high school ball players investing hundreds of hours, new flooring was installed and walls were put up. The result was a place that the youth of Vashon could work on improving their skills in the winter and spring off season. The indoor facility was built entirely with donations from families and funds from Vashon Youth Baseball & Softball.

The indoor training facility has become an integral part of the youth baseball program and most especially for our high school ball players. Starting in October and running through June, islanders ages 8 to adult use this space for fielding drills, batting and pitching  practice, meetings and coaches clinics. This spring the facility was used pretty much full time, from the time school lets out until 8:30 or 9 at night. Last year we began to see the benefits of the indoor facility as the VHS Pirates baseball team qualified for the state playoffs.

Although the news was sudden, many of the volunteers who constructed this facility are looking at options and trying to find a new space for our players. Locating  another affordable and suitable space on Vashon will not be easy. And assembling the volunteer effort once again may be even more challenging. The location needs to be safe, warm and easily accessible. The ceiling height needs to be over 12 feet, and the square footage needed is at least 2,000. Suitable site location suggestions are welcome.

—  Ingrid Petersons