BUILDING A FIELD OF DREAMS
Cody Park - Legion Field Is A Community Effort
Welcome to Tri County’s Cody Park - Legion Field!
When Jeff Reynolds and Bill Waltz started the Tri County Legion Baseball program in 1994, they were faced with many obstacles. No money. No players. No field. Twenty three years later, Tri County Legion Baseball is going strong! Tri County Legion Baseball is proud to have hosted five major tournaments to date: the 2008 District C-4 Senior American Legion Tournament, the 2010 Class C State Tournament, the 2012 District C-4 Senior American Legion Tournament, the 2014 District C-5 Junior American Legion Tournament, and the 2016 Class C State Junior American Legion Tournament.
After gaining support from the three Legion Posts that encompass the Tri County School District (Post #212 - DeWitt; Post #243 - Plymouth and Post #258 - Swanton), the Tri County Legion Baseball Organization (TCLBO) was formed with a core group of about 20 people, most of who were parents of Little League Baseball players who wanted to build for the future. Their mission was three-fold: 1) bring Legion Baseball to the district; 2) construct a baseball facility within the district; and 3) maintain the field and program. For the first few years, the teams played every game on the road, practicing on area softball diamonds and playing “home” games at Wilber, Daykin and Wymore. Despite this disadvantage, the Tri County Midgets Team came home with the Class C State Championship in 1997 and the Junior Team qualified for State in 1999.
The group incorporated in 1997, and in 1998, TCLBO, Inc. purchased fourteen acres of land from Tri County Public Schools and immediately began construction.
After the completion of Cody Park in 2000, the teams were able to play their first day games on a home field. Cody Park had humble beginnings - a simple baseball field with bleachers borrowed from Tri County Schools, a camper for a concession stand and portable toilets. Many fundraisers and volunteer hours later, Cody Park-Legion Field now boasts an air-conditioned concession stand with restrooms, covered grandstand seating and press box, sound system and lighting.
Today, more hours than can be documented continue to be volunteered for grounds maintenance and continued development of the Tri County Legion Baseball program.
Dreams can come true. What began as a conversation between neighbors over a backyard fence is now a reality. Total community efforts have created a ballpark that will be enjoyed for generations. We hope your visit to the area, and particularly Cody Park - Legion Field, will be memorable. http://www.tricountylegionbaseball.com
Historical Timeline:
1994 – Idea to start Legion program
1995 – First Legion teams –
(played all road games through 1999)
1997 – Class C State Midget Champions (Midgets now known as Juniors)
1997 – TCLBO – Incorporated
1998 – Purchased ground from Tri County Public Schools
2000 – Played “day” baseball on new field
2006 – Used new field lighting on 6/25/06
2008 – New Grandstand/Press Box Operational
2008 – Hosted Class C-4 Senior District Tournament
2010 – Hosted Class C Senior State Tournament
2012 – Hosted Class C-4 Senior District Tournament
2014 – Hosted Class C-5 Junior District Tournament
2016 – Hosted Class C Junior State Tournament
2018 - 19th season using field - 24th Legion season
