Grant Community Softball Baseball

Lets start of with a bit of History provided from Larry Lutz, past GTAAA President.  Back in the early 60’s Veterens Park was actually known as Deer Haven Park.  There was a petting Zoo where our fields now stand.  Eventually the business was unable to survive, and the lot sat. It sat empty for the later part of the sixties.    Around 1970, Grant Township Little League, now GCBS, got together with the township/ village and GTLL organized volunteers to create a new park.  The Pinto/Farm Field was actually 9 feet lower than it is today and had several feet of water in it.  Dump truck after dump truck of dirt was put into the place day and night, working on the field.  Eventually they were able to turn it into a ball field.  That is the beginning of what is now Veterans Park.   Field #2 Larry Lutz(Bronco) Field was added on soon after.  Then in the mid seventies, Field #3 Bronken Field(Mustang) and #2 Vonderhaar Field (Softball)  were added.  Finally in the late 90’s #1 Butts Field (Tball) was put into place.   The Village of Fox provided the asphalt and concrete for the drive and base of the concessions, however 99% of the work that has ever been done on what is now  Veterens Park. was on the back of volunteers known as GTAAA.   In 1972, the Village of Fox Lake could not afford to do the work and upkeep at the park and would not have been able to, presenting a sit down between the President of GTAAA and the Mayor.  At this time, although nothing was ever signed, a handshake agreement was put  into place that GTLL/GTAAA would have primary access to the fields as long as the field were maintained.  That handshake agreement remained intact throughout many Mayor and Presidents.  This agreement has been in place for over 40 years.