Baseball field upgrades debut at Tuscora Park – with turfing planned next
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (March 31, 2026) – Highly anticipated upgrades to Baseball Field Number One at Tuscora Park have been earning rave reviews after debuting over the weekend.
The non-profit Baseball Now and Forever group spearheaded the work – all made possible by financial, labor, and material donations from the community members and contractors.
Group member Kelly Ricklic says those Phase One improvements include a new scoreboard, a vinyl‑coated chain‑link fence surrounding the field, ADA‑compliant bleachers, and new dugouts.
Ricklic and committee members first started showing off plans to fully renovate the baseball field nearly four years ago.
The group is now raising funds for Phase Two, which would fully turf the field. An online auction featuring major and minor league baseball items was happening Saturday, and organizers say they’re about a quarter of the way toward their $400,000 goal.
You can learn more at NPTurf.com.
Saturday’s festivities also included an emotional pre‑game ceremony, announcing the stadium will now honor longtime athletics supporter Tom Farbizo, with the field named for former Quaker baseball coach Jim Watson.
New Philadelphia won that home opener Saturday, 9‑to‑3, over John Glenn.