Welding Instructor and Students from NTC Kanasas Campus Construct Ball Complex

By Gary Fox
Northeast Technology Center

When Northeast Technology Center welding instructor Jesse Webb was approached by some Jay citizens looking for help in constructing a ball complex in the city park, the former coach jumped at the chance.

Jay Summer Sports president Melanie Graham and husband Joe of Graham Construction Company learned of a grant from the Cherokee Nation that communities could use to improve sports activities for young people. Greg Wilson came up with the idea for a four field little league sports complex.

After receiving grants totaling $140,000 from the Nation and a $33,000 grant from Grand Gateway, the call for volunteers went out, since most of the grants were for materials only.

Many volunteers came forward, including Wayne Morehead of Morehead Construction in Vinita who lent the heavy equipment that was necessary to move the 20,000 yards of earth, including a special red dirt mix, that shaped the slopes of the four ballfields.

A call to judge Alicia Littlefield provided some inmates from the Department of Corrections facility in Vinita and who contributed over 2000 man-hours to the project under the guidance ofretired army lieutenant colonel Ron Little. After the inmates had set the many steel posts outlining the fields and for the backstops, Webb’s students began the work of cutting and welding the pipes on top of the posts to complete the fencing supports.

Since classroom requirements prohibited them from working on the project during school time, Webb and his students volunteered their time, working after school and on Saturdays. Webb helped build and frame the concession building, devoting 100 hours to the project, while Kenny Morgan’s crew worked on the insulation and metal.

Northeast Tech welding students who volunteered their time and welding skills included Jarrod Mallard, Jay, Brad Ward, Watts, Josh Dawson, West Siloam Springs, Brandon Gray, Kansas, and Direk Adams, Jay.

While the project isn’t totally completed, lacking the dugouts, covered bleachers, lighting, and a finished concession building, it was ready enough to host the National league T-Ball Tournament in June. The fields—two baseball and two softball fields – were pristine and ready to go.

Based on Savage Park in Tulsa, the complex is very impressive and promises to be the complex in southern Delaware County. Those who helped and those who will continue to volunteer their time can be proud of their accomplishments.