Little League outfielders at Averill Boulevard Park in Elmont complained they could not see home plate anymore because sections of the field had sunken so dramatically.

Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray, Councilman Edward Ambrosino and Councilman James Darcy have launched a $450,000 refurbishment project that will soon restore the luster to this local diamond.

"Averill Boulevard Park has experienced the typical ground settling associated with an unstable soil foundation," said Murray. "The ballfield had become a difficult playing surface with drops up to 7 feet from home plate to the outfield fence. To make the refurbishment project practical, we needed to rebuild the depressed areas so that improvements would be long term and the field would remain level over time."

According to Councilman Ambrosino , ballfields are at a premium and officials wanted to restore the field at Averill Park to playing shape as quick as possible.

"Our kids deserve the best recreational experience we can offer, and the new ballfield will make playing at Averill Boulevard Park more fun than ever," said Councilman Darcy.

When the refurbishment began, the entire field needed to be excavated and re-graded. In addition, a new drainage system was installed and the highlight component was the rebuilding and re-bracing of the outfield areas that were sinking. An approximately five-and-a-half-foot wall of cultured stone was constructed along the outfield perimeter. To be level with the newly elevated outfield, the original infield was dropped 18 inches. The field renovations were performed by P.S.L. Industries of Ronkonkoma.

The town saved over $100,000 by utilizing 1,000 yards of stored topsoil that had been removed during a playing field excavation at another park. The topsoil will facilitate the planting of sod in the grass areas of both the infield and outfield. When complete, the field will be accented by a brand new backstop at a cost of $30,000.

"This project will provide a long-term solution to the ballfield at Averill Boulevard Park and it will also create the model for other playing fields impacted by unstable soil conditions, " said Supervisor Murray. "I am thrilled that our young people will soon be playing baseball on a top quality field in Elmont."

The refurbished field is set to open on May 15, providing the Elmont Little League with a much-needed facility for late-season and post-season competition.