Another $1M For Lyons Township High Softball Field

LA GRANGE, IL – Another $1 million donation is in the works for the new softball field at Lyons Township High School's South Campus.

Last year, the school board accepted a $2 million donation from a late student's charity.

The money from the Stacy Ann Baker Charitable Fund is earmarked to pay for the modernization of the softball field. It will be named "Baker Field" in honor of the standout player who graduated in 1985.

At Monday's board meeting, Superintendent Brian Waterman said the family is interested in giving another $1 million for the project. He said he met last week with Michael Baker, Stacy Ann Baker's brother, about an amended donation agreement.

"We are just blown away by the generosity," Waterman said.

The school board applauded the announcement.

Last month, the school opened bids for the base project, coming back with a total cost of $2 million, Waterman said.

He said the school also asked bidders for alternates, which would mean a more costly project.

Under the alternates, Waterman said, the project would include an upgraded press box and improved bleachers, sound system and scoreboard, among other things.

The low bidder was Hickory Hills-based Henry Bros. Construction. It has done work at the school before, including remodeling the Reber Center.

The project is expected to be done by the fall.

A month ago, Western Springs approved the zoning for the project.

Other than "a little hang-up" with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, which handles area drainage issues, the project is set to move forward, the board was told.

"I can't wait for the first game," board President Tim Albores said. "Hopefully, we'll get some good weather."

A 1985 graduate, Baker excelled on the softball field and was named the Most Valuable Player at the school before earning a softball scholarship at Northern Illinois University, according to a school news release last year.

After college, Baker became a member of the Chicago Board of Trade and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, where she started in the trading pits.

She went on to serve financial futures clients at the Chicago Board of Trade.

In 1999, she died in a car crash at the age of 32.

Stacy Ann Baker was a standout softball player at Lyons Township High School. She graduated in 1985. (Courtesy of Lyons Township High School)