Gulf Power employees pitch in to help restore youth ballpark

Gulf Power employees will be generating some good will Wednesday and Thursday at Raymond Riddle Athletic Park in West Pensacola.

The employees will be restoring the infield, raising the dugouts, and enhancing the backstops at the youth baseball field to get it ready just in time for youth baseball season.

 

“Our employees work very hard to provide reliable electric service for our customers, but this gives them a chance to roll up their sleeves and help our area youth,” said Natalie Smith, Gulf Power spokeswoman. “The park is a valuable asset to the youth in our community, and with a little bit of work, it will be ready for the first pitch on opening day.”

 

Raymond Riddle Athletic Park, at 1704 N. "W" Street, is a five-acre Escambia County athletic park with five baseball fields for youth and adult ages. It has a playground, restrooms, a basketball court and security lights. A partnership with West Pensacola Youth Association provides youth sports programs.

 

Every year, Plant Crist employees volunteer in community projects and donate a workday.

 

In recent years, Gulf Power’s Plant Crist employees have helped carve nature trails and plant native longleaf pine seedlings at the Crawford and Betty Rainwater Perdido River Preserve. They also helped remove more than 15 tons of litter and storm debris from Gulf Islands National Seashore in Gulf Breeze and at Perdido Key State Recreation Area.

 

“Our employees were looking for a project and this looked like an ideal opportunity to help,” Smith said. “It shows how partnerships can work in communities. We look forward to hearing the sound of youth baseball at these fields again.”