What An Invigorating Day In The Park! - Community Unites & Lots of Tractors to Help
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- Опубліковано 6 лют 2025
- Clean up day at our local ball park was a huge success with a great turnout and it really filled me with energy to see so many people there willing to help. We used the John Deere 316 with pull type grader box, John Deere 755 compact tractor with front loader, John Deere 3720 with rear 3pt tiller and the John Deere 310SE to get a bunch of projects completed at the ball park. This was an effort to get ready for the upcoming 2021 ball season at Harlan Park. It was a great day!
What a great video this is what America is about people coming together to help their communities, thanks for doing everything you do
Appreciate it Ed. It was a good day and a great feeling.
I used to love ‘work day’ at the ball park! Getting out there and fixing stuff was the goal... but the real draw was meeting new acquaintances and reconnecting with old ones !
I had an old JD400. The front blade, rear tiller and roller were the toys I brought. A buddy always showed up with his Kubota compact tractor. All of the other machines were mowers. We would do the dirt and gravel work with the tractors. There were 4 fields to do so it took all day.
In 1985 I was the manager of the newly formed Pee Wee league. (That was 7 yrs old and less with a pitching machine.) With his tongue in his cheek, the youth baseball league director announced my appointment as the Commissioner of Pee Wee Baseball.
Well, the title stuck. More people knew me as ‘Commish’ than by my real name. It was a great experience for me. I had a $40 budget for every game. That paid for baseballs, a scorekeeper and an umpire. I was the second umpire and operated the pitching machine. So, I saw every game from beginning to end. And, loved every minute of it.
Watching those kids go from not even knowing which base to run toward, to being able to hit the ball ‘on purpose’ was satisfying. Having parents and coaches thank you for working the game was rewarding. But, perhaps the biggest reward came about by chance, 4 years ago.
I was shopping in a neighboring city’s Farm Store. A middle aged guy caught my eye and waved like he knew me. I waved back and smiled while my tape rewound to find the recognition track with his name on it. Rewind- play- fast forward- repeat. As he came toward me, I’m burning through tape like an old VCR player. By the time he got close enough to speak, the tape broke!
He stuck out his hand and said, “Hi Commish.”
I shook hands hoping the tape would magically mend... but, alas it was truly broken.
My silence told the story... he said, “I’m Petey****. I played PeeWee when you were the Commish.”
I started apologizing for not remembering... when he said, “That’s OK. I was just a kid then. You might remember my mom, though. She’s the one you threw out of the ballpark.”
The tape mended. A vivid recollection of that incident played in vivid color and Hi-Fi stereo sound! The recollection turned my face red.
As I struggled to come up with a response he said, “That was one of the best days of my life! She deserved it. I still remind her of it every time she nags on me!”
We talked a little while and parted. He thanked me for being the ‘Commish’ and I left with an appreciation for how little I know about the seeds we plant when we till the grounds at the ballpark!
So trust me on this one Neil... the fun and satisfaction that you get from giving kids a place to play baseball is certainly rewarding. But, it’s the seeds you plant, that grow into the sustenance you draw on when you grow old!
Carry these days with you and someday you’ll have fond memories that will continue to feed your soul.
Love your story on this one Dave. I've had very familiar experiences with the "tape playback" as every once in awhile I run into students from my 3rd grade class when I did my student teaching. They are all comfortably in their 20's now but I still recognize them somehow even though I can't remember all their names. I'm sure you left a lifelong impression on many of the folks in your ball park. It doesn't surprise me learning that you had that role.
I'm fortunate and thankful to be a part of a community such as this one. I wish there was spare time to do more but at least with many people contributing we can get more accomplished.
I absolutely love the line "But it's the seeds you plant, that grow into the substance you draw on when you grow old". Man that is so true. I was taught and influenced to be the way I am. I only hope I'm doing half as good of job for my kids.
Thanks as always and have a great week.
@@digdrivediy true! It’s great to live in a small town... and you nailed one of the key reasons!
Another heartwarming video. Once again you took me down memory lane. About 63 years ago my dad signed me up for playing baseball at the Harlan Park. Oh, I had finally made it. I was going to be playing on the only ball diamond in town. My dad happened to be one of the coaches for the team so naturally on the way to the first ball game he was informing me of all the things I needed to be ready for, stop the ball, don't let anything past you, keep your eye on the ball, get it back to the infield as soon as you can, and several more that I can't remember now. Just like Joe Fogertys song "Put me in Coach", , I'm ready to play, at least I thought I was. Dad had sent me out to left field and telling me remember all the things we talked about as I was walking out to my position my mind was in a whirlwind trying to remember everything he had told me. I didn't know what it was at the time but it hit me, my stomach started rolling and tumbling uncontrollably oh, I had contracted the proverbial butterflies. I wound up throwing up on my brand new cleats and had to sit on the bench for two innings before I got brave enough to try it again. I am grateful for having the opportunity to coach you boys during your little league careers at Harlan Park, but more than that I am proud to see you boys continue the dedication and time to the park so that your kids and my grandkids can have a safe place to go to have fun, meet friends and make memories. Thank you and all who helped make this park a great place to raise a family. Great job. Dad, Grandpa
Thanks so much Dad. I don't know that I had heard that story about your first trip out on the field! It was great to imagine Grandpa giving you a pep talk and I can just picture you fidgeting around until getting sick! I can remember those nerves of being out there for the first time. I really loved the baseball playing days and was grateful to have you as a coach as well. I really do think it is neat that multi-generations can all play in the same game and it is pretty much the same old fun as it's always been, aside from some fancier bats nowadays! I'm glad to have my girls playing in the same park that you and I both did and I'm proud to be helping continue the tradition at Harlan. I never knew how enjoyable it would be getting to coach and watch my girls play ball. Hopefully we can continue to keep the tradition going in Harlan and I'm glad to be working up there alongside you for so many years now. Thanks for the influence, support and for the great comment. See you on game day!
When it gives you time to be with family and friends, enjoy the day. You never know when something may happen, and they are gone. Good job.
Thanks Ted. I appreciate that perspective very much. It is a good feeling knowing that my Dad, my brother and I and our wife and kids were all working together on the same community park. Thanks for watching!
How cool is this. Your channel came suggested by UA-cam for the pond build. Crazy part your local to me as I'm in Auburn. I do vendor work and I'll do my best to make it to Harlan days this year to set up. Knowing now where the funding goes I'll be sure to donate the vast majority of profits. I lived on markel road back when 911 happened. It was so strange to see so many stars with no airplanes in the sky. That whole area has always tight knit. In the big world imagine how small it really is. I have enjoyed quite a few of your videos and will continue to do so. Hopefully we'll see you this fall.
Good job everyone who helped get the work done, when I was a kid there was only one diamond at the park. Now we have 5, what a tremendous growth for a little town located outside of all the hustle and bustle of Ft. Wayne. Good job Neil, for coordinating this whole thing. Your efforts are worth it.
Thanks Tony! And thanks for all your help and continued support as well. Good to know our local water department is always willing and able for us at a moments notice. Thanks for watching!
The fields look great. What an awesome community. I use to spend lots of time out our local fields when my kids were smaller. Makes me miss those days.
Thanks Tony! I've spent many hours in this park throughout my life. Hope to get many more too. Appreciate you watching.
Awesome job at the park! My sister and I played softball down there for years! Lots of great memories! 💕 Thank you for sharing the video with us!
Oh hey Michele! Glad you caught this video and thanks for the comment. Yeah, Melissa was just a year ahead of me. Glad you guys have fond memories of the park. I know I certainly do!
Got your own little Field of Dreams there son! Seems only fitting, because it finally dawned on me that you sound just like Kevin Costner, Neil! Nice job, sweet effort. The more I watch your videos, the more you grow on me. You are interesting, funny, goofy, creative, well produced and take pride in your family and community. Personally, I think Kara is the brains behind the operation, but I won't tell.
Wow. Thanks for all the kind words Greg. I can tell that you are a very astute viewer because you're right! Kara is the brains (and beauty) of the operation!!! I've heard the Kevin Costner reference quite a bit before. I guess that's a good thing. I loved his recent visit to the new Field of Dreams. Thanks so much for the great comment.
Love this sort of thing. Growing up we owned the community ball field and kept it up. My grandfather loved baseball and kids and he loved having a place to enjoy both.
That's awesome man! Bet there was always something going on!
@@digdrivediy There was and still is. I built a 34 x 60 barn with slick finished concrete floors and put a basketball goal on each end. My grandfather would love to see his legacy live on.
Really nice how the Community all came together for the project.
It really was. Thanks Ron!
You and your family especially as well as the community do such a great job maintaining the community park. Definitely would make me feel good also. Keep up the great work!
This was a great heart warming video. Enjoy every game with smiles and laughter. Hot dogs always taste better watching baseball. Thanks for the video
Appreciate it John. I haven't figured out what is more fun: playing baseball as a kid or watching my kids play baseball (softball). It really is a good time and I we are so looking forward to it. Hoping for great weather this Saturday!
Definitely always a good feeling to help out the community.
It sure is! Thanks for watching and commenting.
Y'all have an awesome community. Great to see all those folks show up and invest some time for the benefit of the kids. Its people like you and them that make the world a better place.
Appreciate it Blackdog. I hope these kids get to the foster the same memories I made as a kid in this same park.
Awesome!!! Great looking park all you volunteers take care of. Be proud and thanks for letting us take a look.
Yeah, that is a nasty truck. Time for some power washing.
Appreciate it very much. The truck certainly needs some attention now. Shop has been full and forced it to sit outside. I think I'll give it a wash and rearrange to get it back inside! Thanks for being there till the end!
Half the job is just getting the equipment to the job then clean up! Good job on getting the town involved! Always nice to see a plan executed perfectly.
I wish I had a semi to take it all in one trip! It was nice that the weather was perfect and it all worked out so well. Thanks Andrew!
That’s a great community you guys have. Something to be really proud of. Nice work!! 👍🏼
Thanks! It is a great thing when everyone comes together for the greater good.
I love your videos but this may very well be most favorite so far. I grew up in Southern Indiana and joined the Air Force when I was 18. During the 26 years I was in the Air Force, I lived in mostly larger towns or foreign countries. This video takes me back to the towns I grew up in, Rockport and Lynnville where folks got together and did things like this for the community... try pulling off something like this in LA County, CA. There would be a bond initiative, the vote, the lawsuit and then property taxes would go up and the selected contractor, supervisor so-and-sos brother-in-law would default on the contract etc., park never gets done, kids ignored, parents upset. It is always much better when the community comes together and takes care of what needs to be done. Not a lot different in concept as a barn raising 200 years ago!
You're comment is so on point. I'm glad that we can do this type of thing by just telling our coaches it will be clean up day and sharing a post on FB. Simple as that and we had this kind of turn out. I really appreciate you sharing that seeing this sort of video helps bring back some fond memories. Thanks for watching and the thoughtful comment.
Tony is a very good water department guy....looks like you guy's did a awesome job!
Do you know Tony? He is good for sure 😊
I have a suggestion for the bird "toilet" problem. Get a black garbage bag and hang it outside your truck windows. Roll up the window to trap the bag so it doesn't blow away. With the wind blowing the bag around outside your window (when parked of course) the birds won't land on the truck and use it as a "toilet"
That's a great idea Kevin! I hadn't thought of something so simple. I may just try that this week. Thanks for watching till the very end!
The park looks great! It's really good to have people like you that organize and put the effort in to the community
Getting better all the time. Glad we have some good sponsors too!
Fantastic. What a great community effort. Well done.
Appreciate it Tim.
Just found your channel, or it found me. What a great community and people. Wish i lived close enough to help!
Thanks so much! I'm glad that the channel found you. Yes indeed. We have a great community that is willing to lend a hand for the greater good. Thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment!
So wish I was there with my boys to help. This is the great American spirit at work. No place better on earth
It was refreshing to see this year Andy. Better turnout than other years and couldn't be happier for it. I agree with you and appreciate your comment!
Now that's a community I'd love to be apart of. fantastic to see congrats that's awesome 👍🇨🇦🇱🇷
It is a great little community. Thanks for the comment and support!
nice job Neil, well worth doing, nothing better than folks getting together for the common goal. your kids are lucky :)
Thanks John. It's one of those chores that you look forward to getting accomplished that's for sure!
Wow, what a fantastic community. I'm jealous. Well done all of you and good luck for the summer from a sunny Sheffield, Yorkshire.
Wow, great to hear from Sheffield. I'm still always amazed to hear of folks watching in England or anywhere on the planet for that matter. Thanks so much for watching and commenting.
What a wonderful display of community stewardship ! Thanks for sharing Mr. Koch !
You bet! Thanks for watching!
Nice work again Niel! It’s great that you loan your many talents to your community! Those people like you and your helpers in the video are what make small towns a great place to raise a family! I was watching the Skinner twins on Kentucky’s volleyball win their first national championship last night and thought of you and your twins. Hopefully you and Kara will have something like that in your future to watch. If not just watching them learn that putting in the work and effort will always pay in the long run! You two are teaching them great life lessons!! Take care my friend!!
Thanks so much Mike. I hope the girls are learning things that will help them to be well rounded adults. And boy, do we love watching them play. Nobody ever told me how much I would enjoy watching my kids play sports or perform or whatever it is they're doing. Just love watching and cheering them on! Appreciate the kind words and thanks for watching!
from the Netherlands thanks for the video Neil
Good to see you around my friend!
Hey Neil Good job for taking care of the park it looks good wish I could meet you.
Thanks Ryan! Maybe one of these days we will meet!
I love working in the the yard
I certainly do too Traven! Thanks for the comment.
You're a good man, Neil. You may have inspired me to go to Harlan Days. 👍
Haha! Thanks Tony. You should do it. I know I'll be there if we have it. Heck, last year I was there and we didn't have it!
What a great video!! Very nice to see a community come together. I wish you the best of luck this season.
Thanks a lot Mark!
Our family wasn't at the park really as the field was at the little local school in Sidney or Pierceton. So I spent a few years not too far from there. I have family in New Haven and surrounding areas. I wondered where you were located given your comment in a video (the gravel sweeping) about not much snow typically and figured you were south further. I remember blizzard of '78-'79. First time I ever recall the area calling on anyone with a plow to help clear roads. Find memories!
Hi Brian. Thanks for dropping a note and checking out the video. Yep, lived here all my life. I was around for the blizzard of 78 but just a wee pup at that time. I've looked forward to every big snowstorm they predicted and been disappointed most of the time when it doesn't come true! We've had a few throughout the years but seems like in the last 10 a lot less snow. I have lots of fun snow memories though still at just as you mentioned. Thanks again for watching!
Love the video. Great to see communities supporting local sports. Plus neighbors can get to know each other
Most definitely Gordon. Makes me proud of our little town for getting out there!
Great job. I maintain a small local ballfield like this and need to get out there in the next week for some improvements
Hopefully you'll get the same great weather that we had. It snowed 6" on this park since I filmed this which was only a week ago! Thanks for watching and commenting Brock.
Loved seeing the number of people out there to work for the good of the park. It looks like a record number of people! With all that support 2021 is sure to be the year all the great improvements that are planned get moving after all the setbacks.
It was fun watching you do a close up talk to the camera as you exited the tractor too.
It was a great day this year. I hope we can keep this momentum rolling for 3021 and beyond and leave the park better than we left it when we hand the keys to the next group of stewards. You like that double Neil shot?! 😂 Thanks Mom.
Thats is so cool in america, local community. Love it. I would like something like this in Poland
I am thankful that our community is like this! Thanks for watching from Poland!
Good job the park looks great
Thanks Aaron! Did you go to Woodlan? If not, there was an AA that was a grade or two above me. Appreciate you watching and commenting either way!
We were in the same class. I just happened to see one of your videos and keep watching to see what your up to enjoy your videos
@@aaronabbott9568 Awesome! Sorry I don't know why I thought you were older but I remember now. Great to see you in here man. Hope you're doing well and thanks for watching!
wonderful to see all the volunteers .its amazing how nice your park is and not get any funds to do it.
It really is a blessing that we are able to have what we do. We have some grant money we are waiting on to make some major improvements over the next year so that will be a big boost! Always glad to see your comments Ron. Thanks.
Went to the Fort last week and as I passed through I wondered if we were going to get another tractor park day video. So fantastic to see the community involved. Best of luck to the teams this year!
Great video!
Thanks! Yeah, I was almost hesitant about making another park clean up video but now glad I did. It was a great mood booster for me. Thanks for watching!
Good Job on the repurpose of the stone and the whole project!
Thanks Doug! I thought that was a fitting use for that stone.
Awesome event! It’s so nice to see a community come together for a big project like this. Good use of the gravel by the way! Boy your video editing skills are great, I’m impressed every time I watch one!
Thanks Ben. Thanks for the kind words and for watching. Your videos are looking good too!
NEIL... I miss the Scout Cave............Stumbled across your channel and was like I know that guy. LOL. I haven't seen any Scouts in the vids though.
Keith!!! How the heck are you doing? Yeah, the Scout Cave was good times! Don't have any Scouts anymore but lots of good memories. Only mention of a Scout in a video is the Backhoe snowplow one I just show a picture of it. Glad to hear from you. Hope all is well and thanks for stopping in to say Hi!
Thanks for proving milton friedman right, on "who will do the public works".
Could u do a video on how u grew? From what u started with to what u have now.
Ur videos are awesome.
Thanks so much for the kind words. I haven't considered doing a video like that as I wouldn't have thought it too interesting. I may need to think about what that would look like. I appreciate the suggestion and interest. I will be thinking about that idea for sure! Thanks for watching.
@@digdrivediy
I wanted to see what u started with and how u grew so I could see what I could do. I’d love to have a setup like yours some day. I got just a few tractors right now but I’m looking to see what I can do.
Thanks dude
That awesome not far from I am in new haven Indiana areal 😀
You are really close Casey! Thanks for watching!
That's very unfortunate about your government not looking after you. You pay taxes yet you still have to do what you do.
I'm sure everyone appreciates it
Cheers from Canada
Thank you sir. Our county is working to provide us with some grant money to make some major infrastructure improvements. I eluded to "the long story" when speaking of the bleachers cause it's been in the works for a few years. Hopefully the county comes through and we see some big changes this year. Great observation on your part though 👍🏻👍🏻
The Dynamite on your Title is great clickbait! It got me to watch!
Sorry. Didn't actually mean for it to be clickbait but glad you watched nonetheless! Thanks!
@@digdrivediy all good.. it's all about doing anything you can do get you vids watched.. I was just saying it was a great intro header.
Thats so awesome. So many towns die because no one wants to get involved
You're right about that Kory. It was refreshing to see the good turnout for once.
How did you like thay single axle tilt trailer. I've been looking at one to haul my skidloader with. Been looking at a tandem axle one. Never considered a single axle
I like it really well, but I don't use it to haul much of a skidloader. It has a 7000 lb axle with a payload capacity of about 5000 lb. It is a pretty nice trailer but if to do it again I might just buy the tandem tilt so I can haul the bigger skids. For compact tractors and garden tractors it is terrific and I like not having a gate on the back to restrict my overall length. I can hang over a bit if I need to. I've hauled plenty of cars on it too.
@@digdrivediy That's whatbinwas thinking I would go with he tandem axle. I like the 22ft full tilt. Thanks for the videos. Love watching the channel can't wait to see more stuff. Keep up the hard work. Thanks from Virginia.
Great community spirit now just bring on the hot dogs 🌭 and play ball
That sounds great Russell! We'll have those hot dogs going come Saturday. Can't wait. Thanks friend!
Looks like Harlan IA Mondamin and Omaha here
I should check out Harlan, IA some day just to say I've been there!
lets see.... as I add this up more and more grass needs to be cut: your lawn, the neighbors lawn, your Dad's lawn, in-law's lawn? and now the park. Looks like you can keep a John Deere 1600 Turbo Series busy.
There is no doubt about that! My Dad has two 60" zero turns and my brother and I both have one. Dad still mows a lot of grass but fortunately I get out of it nowadays. I don't even get to mow at home. My wife usually does it during the day.
Neil it almost seems as tho you live in heaven.
Ha! This is a pretty nice place to live with great community and good neighbors. It's great to be living where we do that's for sure. Thanks Rob!
sorry Indiana
Yep! Been here all my life.
@@digdrivediy my best friend is from Elkhart