The City of Lebanon Parks & Recreation Department is closing Veterans Field in the Baird Park Complex for the time being as preparations for the annual Continental Amateur Baseball Association 14U World Series get serious.

There are presently 41 teams from all over the map signed up to play in the annual event which is set for July 13-21 at various venues in Lebanon / Wilson County.

Veterans Field has always been the site for opening and closing ceremonies, in addition to hosting a full slate of games as well as a home run derby and fireworks show.

Regular season play by both Lebanon High varsity and junior varsity baseball in the early spring, followed by two nights a week later in the spring and early summer by the Tennessee Summer Collegiate Baseball Association (TSCBA) along with occasional games by the American Legion Post 15 Lebanon Blue Jays has left the playing surface in need of a break.

William Porter, Director of Parks & Recreation for the City of Lebanon, indicated the field would undergo aeration and fertilization over the next several days as well as edging around the infield along with regular irrigation.

The TSCBA, a wood bat league, closed out play at Veterans Field Tuesday night while the Blue Jays wrapped up the home portion of their season on Monday.

By TOMMY BRYAN / This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it