State Rep. Ed Henry, R-Hartselle, cuts a ribbon on Monday officially opening the entryway to Sparkman Baseball Complex, with Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce serving as sponsor. Others pictured include Parks & Recreation Director Frank Miller and several of his employees, Hartselle Youth Baseball League directors and youth baseball players. | Clif Knight

The entryway to Sparkman Baseball Complex, a three-field facility used by youth baseball players of ages 5-10, was spotlighted on Monday with a ribbon cutting ceremony conducted by Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce.

The arched sign “Sparkman Baseball Complex” and its supporting brick columns were completed last July in time for the city’s first Dixie Youth AA Baseball World Series.

However, a formal opening was put on hold due to time constraints.

The honor of cutting the ribbon fell to State Rep. Ed Henry, R-Hartselle, who obtained a $3,500 grant to help fund the $7,000 project. He was joined by Parks & Recreation Director Frank Miller, Lisa Demastus, an outgoing director of Hartselle Dixie Youth Baseball League and several current board members, Chamber President Susan Hines, and youth baseball players.

“I grew up playing baseball on these fields and I know what they meant to me as a kid,” Henry said. “Having their own entryway and sign gives them greater visibility and makes them a bigger source of community pride. I was glad to be able to help.”

Demastus said the entryway was something she had on her to-do list during the nine year she served on the league board.

“We had a Moms vs. Moms baseball game and sold league T-shirts to raise money for our part,” she said. “I’m just glad we were finally able to get it done after about 20 years.

“The Parks & Recreation staff and employees deserve a lot of credit for all of the labor they devoted to the project, she added. “We couldn’t have done it without their help.”