The beginning of organized baseball for kids of the Clarksville area began in the late 1950's. Mr. Sam "Doo" Davis started what was then called "Little Boy's Baseball." This league was designed to give boys twelve years of age and under a fun program of baseball with emphasis on fair play, honesty, sportsmanship, and patriotism. All games were played in Robbins Park, a facility built for semi-pro baseball.
In
1959, Davis handed the reigns to Mr. Bobby Woltz. With the help of parents, such as
Leroy Sizemore, Burton Buchanan, C.P. Crute and others, the league continued to
grow. In 1960, the name of the program was changed to Dixie Youth Baseball. It
remains the same to this day.
Gerald Shaver assumed the role of president of Clarksville Dixie Youth Baseball in 1964. He had been extremely active in the South Boston program in the early 1960's and brought with him a wealth of knowledge about Dixie Youth baseball. In 1966, Saver, along with Woltz and Sizemore, had a vision...to build a baseball facility for the youth of Clarksville. The land was obtained from the Town of Clarksville. With a major donation from Burlington Industries and building materials obtained from the Willard Morgan Lumber Company, they were on their way. With funds raised by private donations, talent shows, stew, and other benefits, the group was ready to start construction.
On Monday, May 16, 1966, their dream became a reality. Graham Hayes, a local carpenter who spearheaded the actual construction, had the honor of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. The Dixie Youth State Officials were so impressed with the park, that Clarksville was chosen to host the 1966 State Tournament. Quite impressive for the first year of operation!
The Shavers remained active in the program until 1970, when they left the Clarksville area. In their honor, the facility was renamed Shaver Field in 1972.
The park went without any major repairs from 1966 until 1994.
In dire need of a face lift, the Board of Directors, headed by league president,
Lynn Robinson, set out to make Shave Field the showplace it was in 1966. In 1995, a
two-stage plan was set in motion. In stage one a larger, air conditioned concession
stand and press box was built. A new equipment building was also constructed.
With the help of Coca-Cola and Subway, a new state-of-the-art scoreboard was installed in
the spring of 1996. Stage two saw new fencing with above ground dug-outs. The
support of the community was so great that a third stage was added. This stage was
for the replacement of the existing lighting with tournament specification lighting.
This project was completed in June of 1996.
With the Saver Field restoration completed, the current Board of Directors began looking for a way to repay the Clarksville community for the support given to the renovation project. They embarked on yet another project, to bring the Dixie Youth State tournament back to Clarksville. In March of 1996, board members Keith Combest, Mark Nutter, and Dale Hite traveled to the Dixie Youth State meeting in Lynchburg to try to convince state officials and other league representatives that Clarksville had the facility and community support to put on the best state tournament ever. After an impressive presentation, and an affirmative vote, Clarksville was chosen to host the 40th annual Virginia Dixie Youth State Tournament.
Mr.
Hugh Moore, National Director of Dixie Youth Baseball, made the following remarks about
the 40th annual Virginia Dixie Youth State Tournament held in Clarksville:
"Clarksville knew it could put on a great Dixie Youth State Tournament, now the whole
state knows. To say they succeeded would be the understatement of the summer, maybe
the year. First and foremost, the playing field was superb, matched only by the
other facilities the tournament site offered. Shaver field is not only one of the
finest youth baseball facilities in the state, but rivals those I've seen throughout the
South."
"Build
it and they will come," and come they have. Over the past thirty-two years,
Shaver Field has seen over a thousand players come and go. Those that have played on
this field know that it's about more than just baseball. It's about sportsmanship,
working together, leadership, and discipline, all qualities that you can carry with you
throughout your adult life. It's a place where dreams are made...to be the next
Mickey Mantle, Greg Maddux, or maybe Mark McGuire. Shaver Field is a special place
that has been an important part of many young lives. It truly is a "field of
dreams."