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Rays Go To Bat For South Brandon Field

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 20, 2008

BRANDON - For Little League mom Kim Saylor, it was a godsend.
Tampa Bay Rays officials and son Zac's hero, pitcher Scott Kazmir, were at the South Brandon Little League field Thursday to announce the ball club's charity foundation will help renovate it.

"We have one of the older parks, and it is hard to raise enough money to do things like this," she said.

The South Brandon field and the Azalea Little League field in St. Petersburg were selected this year for renovation by the team's charity arm, Tampa Bay Rays of Hope Foundation.

Kazmir, the team's pitching ace, told young players he grew up playing and practicing on similar fields in Houston.

"I was always at the field, and having a great field makes it even more special," he said.

The foundation will provide money to rebuild the South Brandon infields, replace the backstop, perimeter fencing and sod and improve drainage.

Suzanne Murchland, the Rays' community relations director, said the foundation was impressed by South Brandon supporters.

"We knew we had a committed group of volunteers who would work with us and would maintain what we did so it could benefit the kids for years to come," she said.

Ken Rulli, the league's interim president, said he was thankful for the Rays' help.

"We have a lot of things we need to do, and for them to come in and do this is a great start," he said.

Tom Brennan

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