Dunwoody High School Baseball Celebrates Grand Opening Of New Field With Ribbon Cutting, Scrimmage And Fundraiser

Members of the community are invited to attend the scrimmage and Marlow’s Tavern Fundraiser on January 25, 2020.

Dunwoody, GA – January 6, 2020 – Baseball season is right around the corner and we can’t wait to play on our new field!    As some may recall, last season we were unable to play any home games on the Dunwoody High School baseball field due to unsafe playing conditions.  In addition to the visible surface issues, it was discovered that a large drainpipe running across the outfield was severely damaged.

Thanks to our friends at Dunwoody Senior Baseball we rescheduled and played most of our home games at the Brook Run Park baseball fields.

The Dunwoody High School staff and the Dunwoody Diamond Club began collaborating with the Dekalb County School System to explore remedies for restoring the DHS field to acceptable playing conditions and get our games back on campus.  This collaboration began in March and many options were considered.  Through exploration and constructive dialogue with DCSD, a plan to mutually invest in repairs was put into action.  This required the Diamond Club to leverage the hard work of our recent fund-raising efforts to invest in field improvements.

What happened next?   Both the Diamond Club and DCSD made substantial investments and a plan was devised to begin the repairs immediately.  Starting in July, the field was fully re-graded with appropriate drainage, resurfaced, and the damaged drainpipe repaired.

We are happy to report that the DHS baseball field has been repaired and is now fully operational.  Games for the 2020 season will commence AT HOME beginning in February.

These accomplishments could not have been completed without a successful collaboration between Dunwoody High School Staff, DeKalb County School System, Dunwoody Senior Baseball, Dunwoody Diamond Club, Marlow’s Tavern and some brainstorming with The Dunwoody Crier, The Aha! Connection, local residents, former legislators and Dunwoody City Council members.

To celebrate our success, the Dunwoody Diamond Club will be hosting a grand reopening of the field on January 25, 2020.  DHS teams will play an inter squad scrimmage to kick off the season immediately followed by a fundraiser to be held at Marlow’s Tavern!  Marlow’s reported the most successful fundraiser so far was the one they held for us last spring.  They are very excited to help again and are donating 15% of all sales back to our program. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go toward a few remaining repairs and ongoing maintenance costs to protect our gorgeous “new” field! 

Please let Marlow’s know that you are present at the fundraiser in support of the DHS Baseball.
We will be raffling off an autographed Nick Chubb / Cleveland Browns Jersey and an autographed Sony Michel / New England Patriots Jersey.  Raffle tickets can be purchased at the field between 2 and 5pm or at Marlow’s Tavern in Dunwoody between 5:30 and 7:30 PM.  The drawing will take place at 8 PM at Marlow’s.

Grand Re-opening of DHS Baseball Field, Saturday, January 25
Ribbon Cutting and Celebration         2PM – 2:30PM
Game                                                  2:30PM – 5:30PM
Baseball Gathering and Fundraiser    5:45PM

For more information regarding Dunwoody Baseball, please contact Bob Cucchi, Dunwoody Diamond Club President: 770.330.2971, racucchi@gmail.com.
Dunwoody High School address:  5035 Vermack Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338
Marlow’s Tavern address:  1317 Dunwoody Village Parkway, Dunwoody, GA 30338

Welcome to your new Home, Austin Elementary School - drivers please use extra caution in area.

For many students in Dunwoody, the common greeting on Monday will be welcome back, but for the Austin elementary students entering the newly constructed school for the first time, the greeting will be welcome home.

Neighbors and parents in the area have to consider it a first-day of school, traffic situation with lots of confusion and new routines to be learned.  Prepare for possible traffic delays on Roberts Drive, and keep an eye out for students and families using new sidewalks and crosswalks.  Thanks

Huge High Street development near Dunwoody Marta Station looks to working within original conditions of zoning put in place many years ago.

Back in August, the long-awaited High Street Development dropped off the initial plans for the land disturbance permit for phase 1 at Dunwoody City Hall.  I know that High Street is getting close to breaking ground so last week I met with Dunwoody Community Development department to assure myself that High Street is complying with the original DeKalb conditions of zoning.  If High Street wanted to change what DeKalb County had originally allowed before incorporation, they would need to come before the Dunwoody City Council for discussion and decision.  From what I have seen to date, High Street intends to work within the broad outline of the original allowances. Therefore this project will not be coming in front of the City Council.

The extensive plans are listed below, but it was the initial conditions that DeKalb put upon the project that I was most interested in reviewing with Dunwoody staff.

If you are into downloading huge files and reviewing technical drawings, enjoy.

  2019 0975  2019-08-19 High Street Phase 1 Hydrology Report.pdf
  2019 0975 2019-08-16 High Street - Phase 1 LDP Part-1.pdf
  2019 0975 2019-08-16 High Street - Phase 1 LDP Part-2.pdf
  2019 0975 2019-08-16 High Street - Phase 1 LDP Part-3.pdf
  2019 0975 2019-08-16 High Street - Phase 1 LDP Part-4.pdf

News Article by the Dunwoody Reporter Dyana Bagby from Aug 23, 2019

GID and North American Properties have proposed the $2 billion development on about 42 acres in Perimeter Center. It would total 8 million square feet of mixed-use development, including 400,000 square feet of shopping and chef-driven dining; 635,000 square feet of Class A office space; and a 400-room hotel. A small public park area is included in the central area. The scope of the first phase is to build four blocks of mixed-use development, parking decks, private internal streets, and stormwater pipes and other utilities. The development has been zoned for 3,000 residential units, but the first phase shows just one 8-story apartment tower being built with 600 units. The plans for the first phase also include construction of 200,000 square feet of retail.

Dunwoody to swear in Mayor Lynn Deutsch and Councilmembers Stacey Harris, Joe Seconder and John Heneghan tonight at 6 p.m. - City Hall.

DUNWOODY CITY COUNCIL MEETING

JANUARY 02, 2020
6:00 PM – DUNWOODY HALL

4800 ASHFORD DUNWOODY ROAD

DUNWOODY, GA 30338

Administration of Oath of Office to Mayor-Elect Lynn Deutsch, Council Member-Elect Stacey Harris, and Council Member-Elect Joe Seconder (Honorable Judge Stacey Hydrick )

Election of Mayor Pro Tempore. (Mayor Deutsch)

Cake ??

I personally recommend Frontier Baseball League at Murphy Candler for kids with Mild Challenges - Registration is Open / Space is Limited.

Every child no matter the challenge deserves to play baseball.

Evaluations are scheduled for February - Register today!

 Video

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Welcome to Murphey Candler Baseball Frontier Baseball! This Spring will be our 10th season of Frontier Baseball! I still cannot believe how Frontier has grown so fast and now means so much to so many people. Parents, I have seen first hand how Frontier changes these kids' lives. So many parents have commented to me that they never thought they would see their son or daughter on a baseball team. And then they found Frontier. And the unexpected benefits continue to amaze me, from the pride of being able to wear their own Team Jersey on their school's spirit day, or the increase in self confidence in these kids. It is truly a gift.

We look forward to having you and your family at Frontier Baseball at MCLL, and please email me at frontier.baseball@gmail.com with any questions you may have.    Adam J. Wickley

About
Frontier is a low stress, fun baseball program for kids with ADHD, ADD, Apraxia, Speech Delays, Dyslexia, Auditory Processing Disorder and other executive or sensory challenges. Frontier is exclusively a Murphey Candler Baseball program.

Basic Facts:

• When: Frontier plays each Spring, generally February through May, with time off for spring break.
• Where: Frontier is played at Murphey Candler Park in Brookhaven, Georgia, located just 1 mile off of I-285 at the Ashford Dunwoody Road (Perimeter Mall) exit.
• How Often: There is only 1 event (either a game or a practice) per week, either a Saturday or a Sunday. Sunday events are always after 12:00 noon
• Ages: Frontier has three age groups.
  • Frontier I is for 6 through 9 year olds
  • Frontier II is for 10 through 12 year olds.
  • Frontier III is for 13 through 16 year olds.
• League Size: There are typically 8 to 12 teams in the Frontier League. Approximately 100 kids play in Frontier each Spring Season.
• Who Can Play: All areas of Atlanta are welcome! Even if you do not live nearby, the 1 day a week program makes it easy to participate. We have families from Peachtree City to Gainesville that play.
• Experience: NO EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY!! Even if your son or daughter is older and has never played baseball, they are perfect for Frontier.
• League Structure: Games and Rules are adapted to the needs of the kids. For instance, we keep innings short to keep their attention, the teams small, and use machine pitch so they have a better chance to hit the ball (Frontier III is coach pitch). Also, all of the coaches are Dads with kids that play in Frontier. So they "get it".
• Fundamentals: Even with the adaptations, we also strive to make Frontier as close to real baseball as possible, implementing fundamental baseball but without the pressure and stress of competitive little league. Frontier also has the same uniforms as the rest of Murphey Candler Baseball.

Common Questions:

• My son has never played baseball. Is that ok? Absolutely. Frontier was started to give kids a chance to play baseball that have never been able to play before.
• I am not sure my son can do this, how do I know? It's a common question. Then you see him at the first practice with his friends from school and it all changes. Trust us.
• Is Frontier co-ed? YES! Frontier had several girls play last Spring.
• How do I know if Frontier is a good fit for my son or daughter? Generally, we do our best to fit everyone into Frontier unless there is a safety or significant behavioral concern. See our Eligibility Statement below for reference.

History:
Frontier Baseball is ground breaking and unique to anything else as far as we know. The idea was formed in 2011 when its founder, Adam Wickley, was trying to find a place for his son Jackson to play a sport. Like so many kids similar to him (he has ADHD and Auditory Processing Disorder), he wanted to play baseball, but the social component kept him from playing mainstream sports. But he also was not a fit for other "Special Needs" leagues. He was caught in the middle with no place to play. So after unsuccessfully finding a place for Jackson, Mr. Wickley and MCLL decided to create a new League for kids just like him, and an idea was born. Four years later it has taken on a life of its own, providing life changing experiences for both parents and kids.

Eligibility Statement:
Murphey Candler Baseball promotes special needs baseball opportunities through both the Challenger and Frontier Leagues. The Frontier League is specifically designed for certain disabilities such as ADHD, ADD, Apraxia, Dyslexia, Speech Delays, Auditory Processing Disorders and other challenges that would not require the use of a full time "buddy" on the baseball field as does The Challenger League. Frontier is a machine pitch and coach pitch league, and as such, safety on the field is of utmost importance. Therefore, participation in Frontier requires that a player be diagnosed with at least one of the above conditions, be able to play without the use of a full time "Buddy" and not be a threat to the safety of themselves or others. This determination shall be at the discretion of the Program Director, League Director and Murphey Candler Baseball.

Let's toast Mayor Denis Shortal one last time at "The Duke" as he raises money for the Dunwoody Police Foundation

Elections are over, school is winding down and I have been enjoying this holiday season a bit by slowing down on city duties to appreciate those around me.  I hope you are able to do the same. 

Thursday evening I will be toasting da Mayor at The Duke, which is the newest pub being offered by the Dunwoody Tavern Group located next door to Fogo de Chao on Ashford Dunwoody.   Please stop by between 5 & 7 as 20% of all sales will be graciously donated by The Duke to the Dunwoody Police Foundation.  If you don't have dinner at the Duke, think about patronizing one of the many restaurants in the area as there are so many great options that would really appreciate serving you.

After a quick cocktail and appetizer with my bride, we will be hanging with the boys who run the What's Up Dunwoody podcast Empire to see some movie they are hosting.   If you haven't checked out Matt & Justin on What's Up, please do so as they are informative, entertaining and maybe just a bit goofy as the photo I stole above clearly shows.  

The world needs more goofy.