Big things taking place at Ballard

Six games into its first season with a football team, Ballard still had a few unfinished pieces for the program.

All of them big. All of them important. But fortunately for head coach Buddy Hammock, none of them directly affecting what happens with the
players on the field.

But those final few pieces are slowly coming together.

In the east end zone sits a large black scoreboard, still draped with bright yellow straps from where it was lifted into place.

Behind the home bleachers is a tall structure — still showing wood where exterior awning will finish off a new press box.

But the biggest — literally and figuratively — rises high above Ballard’s field.

Four tall posts, two on either side of the field, which will hold 10 lights each, will allow the Eagles to continue playing or practicing when the sun goes down.

And all of it, Hammock said, has come from generous donations to the program.

“It’s been a dream we’ve had for several years to see things finish up,” Hammock said. “I never thought I’d see the scoreboard go up and the lights go up, but it looks like by Thursday and Friday it’ll all be done.

“We made a commitment, and we knew it would take money and people’s time to make this happen. People made that commitment and it’s turned out to be more than I ever expected for this year.”

The lights were vitally important to Hammock and the young program.

In fact, Ballard’s first-ever game back on Aug. 15 was stopped early because of darkness.

The original plan was for the team to do without lights for this season, but have them ready for the 2009 campaign. However, things fell into place nicely to have to lights done this year.

“We didn’t rush it after that first game. It all came down to the money we felt we were able to spend. The lights ran about $44,000, so we felt we would have to wait another year,” Hammock said. “But we had a donation made to us and we were able to go ahead and do it.”

Hammock said the lights are expected to be turned on for the first time for Thursday night’s practice and be in full use for the Eagles’ home game
Friday against North Georgia Christian.

The lights won’t be the only thing in use for the first time come Friday.

The game will also mark the first use of the team’s new 16x24-foot scoreboard. It came courtesy of a donation from Hand & Associates law firm of Opelika.

While various generous donations have helped Ballard build a football program from the ground up, Hammock said one individual, in particular, has been the biggest help.

And on Friday, the Ballard football field will officially be named in his honor — John W. Sluder Field.

“He’s the oldest member in our church and he’s made some donations to our school,” Hammock said. “He’s been a big part of us being able to do what we do here.”

The new lights, scoreboard and press box will cap off building for 2008. But Hammock said more big things are in store.

That includes plans for a fieldhouse beyond the east end zone which will house locker rooms and a weight room.

On the field, Ballard will try to bounce back from its first loss of the year.

After starting the year 5-0, Ballard fell to Trinity, 57-49, last week. The loss came despite the Eagles rallying from an early 24-0 first-quarter deficit.

tpeavy@oanow.com | 737-2568