Renovations to the baseball field at Buchanan High School are almost complete, just in time for the Bucks to start the new season.
Michigan Gateway Community Foundation President Michael Rowland tells us an anonymous donation has made all the work possible.
“An over $200,000 investment in new fencing, irrigation, laser leveling of the infield, new wind guards, power poles, and of course the scoreboard,” Rowland said. “In addition to that, the anonymous donor also created an endowment behind it.”
That endowment will pay for upkeep of the new field.
Rowland says the improvements will help extend the life of the field while creating a safer, more consistent playing surface for student-athletes. He also notes the new field is dedicated to the memory of 1999 Buchanan High School graduate Ryan A. Tucker. He was a three-sport athlete, playing baseball, basketball, and football who died in the early 2000s. Rowland says he was a friend.
“Ryan was an amazing guy. He was someone I never saw angry. He was always friendly, always laughing, always trying to help others. And so it comes to no surprise that in his memory, people want to help preserve that legacy.”
A formal ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony for Ryan A. Tucker Field will take place on April 18 with members of the Class of 1999 baseball team in attendance. Buchanan High School will also host a round-robin tournament on the newly renovated field that day, giving the community a chance to see the improvements and honor Tucker’s legacy.
The anonymous donation supporting the improvements has been administered by the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation.
