Foulke Field Unveiled at Cherry Hill West Babe Ruth

A year ago, Cherry Hill West Babe Ruth’s home turf was a minefield.

A ratty infield combined with a lumpy, canted outfield led to plenty of injuries—including a few broken arms—and didn’t help the games any.

The renovated diamond unveiled Wednesday evening, with a brickwork backstop, new fences, rebuild dugouts and new sod, is a field of dreams, league officials and players said.

“We’ve never seen a field this nice before, and it’s just something special,” said Drew Ehrmann, who patrolled left field in an exhibition game following the dedication. “I hope that we can keep it this way.”

The entire project came together from a donation by Charles Foulke III, who dedicated the field in his father’s honor, recasting it Foulke Field in giant, red-and-white lettering atop the new scoreboard looming over right-center field.

The Foulkes, longtime owners of Cherry Hill Dodge dealership, among others, sprang the project and field dedication as a surprise on their patriarch, who grinned as a blue tarp slid down from the scoreboard, officially christening the renovated ballpark.

Charles Foulke Jr. referenced his days playing ball at the Cramer Hill Boys Club in Camden, and said he was glad to see his family’s name attached to something that will benefit local youth.

“I’m thrilled to death,” he said. “I hope these kids enjoy every minute of it.”

His son, voice choked with emotion, called it a fitting tribute to a man who loves baseball and the community.

“Naming this beautiful baseball field is truly a great honor,” Charles Foulke III said.

The renovations came together in less than a year; league officials brought their wish list to Mayor Chuck Cahn, who enlisted the younger Foulke in making it happen.

“There are not enough words to say how much we appreciate his generosity,” said Angelo Marciano, who’s been league president since 2001.

Plans were finalized over the winter, when the planning board OK’d the sweeping plan, and a team led by Bill Young worked through late winter and into the spring to turn those plans into reality.

“I am amazed at the difference a few months have made,” Cahn said.