Anderson farm baseball complex gets $6 million bond OK

ANDERSON — A proposed state-of-the-art baseball and softball training and tournament facility at Interstate 69 and Exit 26 on Scatterfield Road got city council approval Thursday for $6 million in bonds to fund construction. The bonds will be issued and repaid with taxes collected on the improvements made on the property.

“We anticipated this being a gateway to the city of Anderson,” project principal Mike Shirley said before the council voted 8-0 in favor of the project. Councilman Art Pepelea had left the meeting.

“This is a project that’s near to my heart — I’m a hometown kid,” Shirley said.

Shirley thanked Mayor Kris Ockomon for being instrumental in the  project’s development. “The city will do everything it can to make that a successful project,” Ockomon said.

The project is set to break ground in April and be ready for its first tournaments this fall, according to Shirley.

Shirley also cited another notable Andersonian who’s involvement in the project was critical, Toronto Blue Jays slugger Adam Lind. Shirley said the group of investors had offers to take the project elsewhere, but Shirley said Lind told him, “If you take this project elsewhere, I’m out.”