Recently I saw an article on Neotrib about the IYAA honoring George Scott, Bob Tipping, Bob Burch and Bobby Itson “because they promoted youth sports and fitness, helping to bring our community closer together through victory and accomplishment.”

I commend the IYAA for honoring these men. I had the privilege of knowing each of them and believe they wanted what was best for our kids and would have done anything for them. I also commend all those that work with the IYAA for their dedication to our local youth. From the bottom of my heart, I am thankful.

I do want to mention someone that was not honored that night that played an integral part in Italy baseball and also had an integral part in the land being donated to the City for the baseball fields where the kids now play.

Many years ago, Walter Upchurch (who the fields were named after) coached little league baseball here in Italy. Mr. Upchurch was one of the finest men I have ever known. He also had played semi-pro baseball and loved the game.

At that time, one of our youth who was too young to play, went to watch the practices. Mr. Upchurch noticed he never missed a practice and allowed him to “help”. He also let him practice with the team. This made a definite impression on this local youth. Not only did Mr. Upchurch instill a love of baseball in this young man, he taught him a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility to our community.

When the young man was old enough, he played baseball. This continued when he was in high school which allowed him to play on a team with Bobby Itson that Bob Burch coached. George Scott was the superintendent at this time.

After serving in the military and working for Texas Power and Light, this young man moved back to Italy, still with a real love for baseball. He built two baseball fields in Red Oak for the local youth when he lived there. Mr. Upchurch was very proud and fond of this young man and his commitment to baseball.

After he moved back to Italy, he approached the City about using the land they owned across from the cemetery for a baseball field. They agreed. Using his own money, he began the task of clearing the land. David South at Monolithic loaned him heavy equipment to help with this task. Texas Power and Light had a salvage yard where they placed used light poles. He requested light poles and lights for the new field which his employer donated and delivered free of charge.

His field of dreams would not be a reality at this time because he ran out of money. He also suffered an injury that would place him in a wheelchair the rest of his life. But, wheelchair or not, his dream was to have a baseball field that the Italy youth could play on and he was determined to give it to them.

He knew that Mr. Upchurch owned some land off of Dilworth Street that would be perfect for a baseball complex. He had decided that nothing would stop his dream from becoming a reality so he paid a visit to Mr. Upchurch hoping he would allow a practice field to be built on the property. Upchurch agreed so he began working on it. He built the back stop and got the practice field ready.

Wanting to give the local youth a chance to play baseball like he had been given, with the help of a good friend, Bobby Mack Hugghins, he started a pony league. With his friend‘s help, he was able to coach that year. Mr. Upchurch would watch the practices and give him pointers on coaching. The team had to travel to Corsicana to play all their games, but the extra effort by he and his players was worth it. They finished in first place that year. Walter Upchurch was thrilled at their success and proud of his prodigy.

The man approached Mr. Upchurch again about turning the field into a real baseball field. Walter talked to his family and they decided that one of the best legacies he could leave would be to donate the land to the City for the baseball field. His former player had accomplished what he set out to do. The land was donated and the construction began. Italy ISD worked hand in hand with the City of Italy to get the field ready for play.

There have been so many people that have worked tirelessly at Upchurch field. So many coaches, concession workers, field workers, scorekeepers, builders, young people and of course the players. The City has tried to do what they could with the budget they have to work with. All these folks expected no payment in return. They all love kids and want to make their life better.

As I said before, I am thankful that the IYAA honored Bob Burch, Bobby Itson, Bob Tipping and George Scott. I do not want to take away any honor from them. I just thought the people of Italy that did not know the story of Italy’s Field of Dreams deserved to know the story. I also wanted to honor one of my unsung heroes – Mike Thompson. Mike was a war hero and an Italy hero. Mike passed away a couple of years ago without anyone formally honoring or thanking him for the Field of Dreams. So, in some way, I hope he knows how much I appreciate what he did. Every time I attend a game at Upchurch Field, I fondly remember all the blood, sweat and tears he gave for our kids. If I shut my eyes, I can see him out on the field in his wheelchair, working or coaching. Okay Mike – I hope I have set the record straight. And yes – “if you build it – they will come – you did and they have.”