Photo Courtesy of Charlie Nixon of the Coon Rapids Enterprise/Pictured: Coach John Waddle, Lisa Waddle, Kevin Reis, and Asst. Coach Jon Heydon
In late January at the 48th Annual Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association (IHSBCA) banquet Coon Rapids-Bayard baseball Coach John Waddle knew the Crusader’s baseball field was one of four state finalists up for the 2015 Diamond of the Year award. The field, which had been peer nominated by members of the association, was up against Iowa City West, Norwalk HS, and Pella HS, so when the CR-B field was announced as the award winner Waddle says he was a bit surprised, but very pleased.
Waddle says visiting teams commonly compliment the ballpark’s location which is nestled down in a valley, the grandstands, and the field’s level playing surface just to name a few. He says many dedicated volunteers make the field look its best, but there are two caretakers who put in a lot of time and effort.
This summer improvements will be made to the infield as it will be laser graded to ensure proper water drainage. Waddle says the project is just one of many that have been done over the past 32 years.
Waddle first coached Crusader baseball in 1983; just one year after the field was first built. He gives credit to the numerous players, assistant coaches, community members, school administrators, fundraisers, and volunteers who have donated their time and efforts over the years in order to make the baseball field worthy of being named the Diamond of the Year for a second time, which by the way, was first awarded to the Crusaders in 2007 making CR-B the award’s only second repeat winner alongside Merchant’s Park in Carroll. For the 2015-2016 season the Crusaders were 29 – 7 and qualified for the State Tournament. Waddle adds the recognition will also most likely help to solidify Coon Rapids as a location for playing games for sub-state in the coming years.
