News

HUNTER COMPLEX A STEP CLOSER

By Erin France/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Friday, October 2, 2009 12:33 AM CDT

There’s a grassy field on the other side of a newly constructed bridge connecting undeveloped property to a University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff parking lot.

Members of UAPB’s Golden Lions baseball team examine an artist’s rendition of the new Torii Hunter Baseball, Softball and Little League Complex’s baseball diamond, on which the Golden Lions will play. Pine Bluff Commercial/Ralph Fitzgerald

Thursday, two shovelfuls of dirt marked a ground breaking, officially transforming the grassy plot into the future Torii Hunter Baseball, Softball and Little League Complex.

“I’ll be playing in it,” said senior shortstop Hinton Huckabee.

“I got one thing to say — I plan to make this first year very memorable,” he said referring to a baseball championship trophy.

Torii Hunter, a Pine Bluff native and Los Angeles Angels center fielder, might have smiled at the determination on Huckabee’s face.

Hunter donated $500,000 for the estimated $9-million complex which will house UAPB’s baseball team.

The first phase including playing fields, scoreboards and dugouts could be completed by Spring 2010.

The team plays home games at Regional Park.

On Thursday, community leaders from the city, county, state and university recognized the start of the complex.

Shirley Hunter, Torii Hunter’s mother, was on hand for the occasion and helped Chancellor Lawrence A. Davis Jr. toss two ceremonious dirt across the bridge.

“It will make a lot of people happy — children especially,” Shirley Hunter said.

Shirley Hunter said her son often thought about ways to help his hometown.

“He was always thinking about different programs he could do in the town of Pine Bluff,” she said.

Besides the physical complex, baseball coach Michael Bumpers said he hopes to bring back the area’s reputation.

“The baseball here ... Pine Bluff used to be the Mecca,” Bumpers said.

And that resurgence could start with a championship, he said.

“It’s definitely in the works.”

UAPB Athletic director Skip Perkins and Bill Jones, the president of Sissy’s Log Cabin and a chief fundraiser for the complex, offered thanks to various partners in the project.

“One more thing, baseball team,” Jones said, “If you win us a baseball championship this year, fundraising would be a lot easier.”

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