Local 'field of dreams' hosting big baseball Saturday

VICKERY -- Bob Gray's "Field of Dreams" baseball diamond has been a busy place this summer, a haven for players and tournaments looking for a place to play after some facilities closed due to the coronavirus. "I've been swamped out here all summer," said Bob Gray, who built the unique field next to his house in 1993. "People have been calling left and right wanting to rent the field because fields are shut down." Saturday will be another busy day for Gray. Four games are scheduled for his field, a blend of young and old players. Margaretta and Perkins will start the day with a seven-inning high school scrimmage at 9:30 a.m. Two games featuring teams from the Sandusky Bay Summer Collegiate Developmental League are scheduled for noon and 2:30 p.m. An alumni game featuring former Margaretta and Perkins players will finish off the four-game card at 5. "It's a day of fun baseball at a very fun, unique facility," said Margaretta coach Ray Neill, who also is the general manager for the summer college league based at Sports Force Parks. "We want to bring the 65 college baseball players that are here from all over the country out to a beautiful place and show it off. It's an amazing venue. When you walk up the hill and see it, it's just 'wow.' You can't believe the kind of facility he's built." Admission is $5 per vehicle. Neill said fans are welcome to bring lawn chairs and coolers and enjoy the day. Neill is thankful that Gray -- who characterized his summer as "kind of stressful" -- is willing to host the teams. "He's all-in. Bob is a baseball guy through and through," Neill said. Neill envisions the alumni game as a four-inning affair that will bat 10-man lineups each half inning, which guarantees each player four trips to the plate. Current members of the Margaretta and Perkins coaching staffs will handle pitching duties. "Just coaching staffs throwing, trying to hit bats," Neill chuckled. He's still looking to finalize alumni rosters. Interested players should call Neill at 419-366-8481. The games for the college players are part of what Neill envisions as a fulfilling summer in the Sandusky area after many summer collegiate leagues canceled their seasons because of the coronavirus. On Thursday night, the players were scheduled to board the Goodtime I for a sunset cruise around Sandusky Bay. "We want them to have a positive life experience in addition to playing baseball," Neill said. "I think they'll enjoy seeing the sights and appreciate the day out there (at Gray's diamond)." ----- How to get there Bob Gray's Field of Dreams is located at 6910 County Road 249, Vickery, OH 43464 Gray's direction tips: Go south on US 6 out of Sandusky. Turn left at the old M&M Tavern. Turn right on Co. Road 249 (not 263). You'll see the field on your right. Enjoy.