ANSONIA – Ansonia Schools officially opened its new baseball and softball complex with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new facility, marking the completion of a project nearly two years in the making.
“What a great day to be a part of the Ansonia Schools community,” Ansonia Superintendent B.J. Burgett said. “On behalf of our Board of Education, our staff, and most importantly, our students, I want to welcome you to the ribbon-cutting ceremony for our new baseball and softball complex.”
Burgett said the day was about much more than opening new fields.
“Today is more than just the opening of new fields,” he said. “It’s the celebration of a shared vision, a commitment to our students, and the power of a community coming together.”
He credited the project to hard work, planning, and a belief that Ansonia student-athletes deserve quality opportunities.
“Facilities like this don’t happen by accident,” Burgett said. “They are the result of hard work, careful planning, and the belief that our students deserve opportunities that match their potential. This complex represents that belief. It is a place where our student-athletes will grow in skill, character, teamwork, and resilience.”
Burgett also thanked those who helped bring the project to life.
“To everyone who played a role in bringing this project to life — our board members, administration, contractors, and supporters — thank you,” he said. “Your work will have a lasting impact for years to come.”
He then turned his attention to the students who will use the new complex for years ahead.
“And to our students, this is for you,” Burgett said. “These fields are where memories will be made, friendships will be strengthened, and dreams will be pursued. Take pride in them, take care of them, and most importantly, enjoy every moment you have out here representing the Tiger Way.”
Burgett said the complex stands as an investment in the future of Ansonia athletics and the school community.
“Today we celebrate not just a new complex, but the future of Ansonia athletics and the continued strength of our school community,” he said.
Ansonia Athletic Director Clay George said excitement surrounding the new facility has been building throughout the school and community.
“We are super excited to have this opportunity to play on such a nice facility for baseball and softball,” George said. “The kids, coaches, and community are all excited. It’s been a long time coming. It is a great place for our student-athletes to play at home.”
Ansonia school board member and past board president Jim Barga said the project officially began Sept. 1, 2025, though planning had started a year earlier.
“This project started September 1 of 2025, but as a board we were working on this project one year prior to that, so we’re about two years in the making,” said Barga, an 11-year board member. “The project came in well within reason and we didn’t need to borrow any funds. We didn’t ask for any new tax levy money.”
Barga said the district was also able to improve parking as part of the project while maintaining sound finances.
“We also expanded the parking up front,” Barga said. “We were able to keep our balance at 50 percent of our annual expenses, so it was kind of a no-brainer to do it at that point in time, and this is long overdue. Baseball and softball were kind of the last things touched here at the school, and we’re really proud of it.”
He noted the old baseball field dated back to the 1970s.
“The old baseball field was the original going back to the ’70s, so it had not been touched in almost 50 years,” Barga said.
Following the ribbon cutting, Burgett addressed the crowd again before announcing the day’s lineups and recognizing those selected to throw out ceremonial first pitches.
“Prior to announcing today’s starting lineups, we would like to thank everyone who joined us prior to warmups for our ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the Ansonia Schools Baseball and Softball Complex,” Burgett said.
On the softball field, Ansonia’s five senior players — Kylie Caldwell, Lillian Kaiser, Abigayle Klingshirn, Ava Thatcher, and Miley Walls — joined Ansonia Local Schools Board of Education member Stephanie Klingshirn in throwing out the first pitch.
On the baseball field, lone senior Noah Heck joined Level MB Site Superintendent Kent Moneysmith for the ceremonial first pitch.
The ribbon cutting marked a major milestone for Ansonia Schools, officially opening a new home for Tigers baseball and softball and celebrating a project school leaders say will benefit student-athletes for generations to come.
