PRESCOTT — Crazy About Baseball (CAB) has taken a different approach to field maintenance and upgrades, as they rely on volunteer work to keep Firehall Field in Prescott looking pristine.

The organization has been around for 26 years and signed a lease with the school district five years ago to run the field. The field was leased in what CAB President Chuck Block called a win-win, as the school district has limited resources and does not need to use them all up to maintain the field. In return, CAB can have the freedom to fundraise and make improvements as they see fit. CAB is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with goals that are quite simple, including maintaining and improving Firehall Field and providing for Prescott’s many baseball/softball teams.

“We save the district anywhere from $10,000-30,000 a year,” Block said.

Block gave thanks to the volunteers who help keep the field in order, especially mowers Mark Hawkins, Jim Schommer and Dan Erickson. Many people involved with CAB have an interest in volunteering because they have children involved in baseball in Prescott, but the mowers put in the time because they simply want to help out.

“That’s a lot of time to do it all for free,” Block said. “I think it just speaks to the ‘it takes a village’ type of mentality of what we’ve got here in Prescott.”

Block said there are not many entirely volunteer-run baseball venues, making the Prescott community a special one.

“It’s just for the love of the game and the love of Prescott,” Block said.

The reason people are willing to give up their time and money to help with the field is because they know the great history of baseball in Prescott, and they want to help make more memories, Block said.

CAB is trying to give the youth association, local baseball teams and softball teams the best possible experience, and it takes everyone to make it happen.

CAB recently redid the outfield fence at Firehall Field that now hosts advertising for revenue to help future projects. In addition, CAB has recently redone the infield surface, built a maintenance shed and installed a hitting tee station and turf area.

The Prescott varsity baseball team, the Prescott Pirates of the St. Croix Valley Baseball League and the American Legion/Junior Legion baseball teams all play at the field, serving a variety of ages.

“If you drop by there at any point in time, you see kids age from five to 25 using the batting cages,” Block said.

CAB aims to make improvements to the batting cages in the short-term.

In the future, CAB has a pair of lofty goals for upgrades. The first is a grandstand seating area similar to First National Bank of River Falls field but a bit smaller along with a new concession building. Another project mentioned would be bringing lights to the field, which Block said would cost around $300,000.

For those interested in working with CAB as a volunteer or donor, email cabbbco@gmail.com