JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A steady rain was falling when players in West Suburban Little League’s Challenger division for special needs children went onto Miller Field for their first softball game of the season Saturday morning.
The inclement weather might have been more of a concern in past years.
But recently, the league installed an artificial-turf infield.
It is more durable and safer than the old grass surface.
“Even today with how it’s raining out, we’re still able to play,” West Suburban Little League President Jason Subich said during the organization's opening day activities. “So it’s just a very, very nice addition, a nice asset to our community.”
Susan Way, whose son, Tyler Way, age 12, plays in the Challenger division, added: “The new field, actually, I feel, is great because last year we had a lot of rainy Saturdays, so some of the games had to be canceled because we’re talking downpours. For the most part, this will give them more of an opportunity to play because the field won’t be so wet.”
The Challenger children play about a half-dozen games every year against other teams from West Suburban.
Playing ball gives them an opportunity for “inclusion, feeling important for one day out of the week,” as Lisa Duranko, whose son Zachary Duranko, 17, participates in Challenger ball, said.
“It’s awesome," Duranko continued. "To have that here, as a parent, I’m so grateful. There’s no way that you can express your gratitude.”
Miller Field, located at Laurel Auto Sports Complex in Upper Yoder Township, will also be used by the nearly 600 boys and girls who compete in baseball and softball at West Suburban, the only Little League Baseball Inc.-sanctioned organization in Cambria County.
West Suburban received a $200,000 state grant to pay for the artificial turf and other improvements to the field.
The funding application was supported by state Rep. Frank Burns, D-East Taylor Township. Burns threw out a first pitch before the Challenger game. Mara Keefe, a member of West Suburban’s 2025 Little League Softball World Series championship team, also threw out a first pitch.