Community rebuilds press box after fire

EAST LYME, Conn. (WTNH) -- An arson fire destroyed it and now a community is making sure a little league press box rises from the ashes in time for the new baseball season.

The folks with East Lyme Little League aren't surprised, but they are certainly thankful for all the generosity and support they've gotten to rebuild the press box. The community really came together.

The new press box at the East Lyme Little League field is bigger and better than the one it replaces.

"It'll give us some more room up top," said David Perry, East Lyme Little League, "but the biggest part is the storage underneath."

Storage for field and baseball equipment. News 8 first talked to Perry back in December when the original press box was burnt to the ground in an arson fire and the backstop damaged.

"You can look at the fence here..."

Now that backstop is fixed with new fencing along the top.

"This really ends up being a God send for us in a way because we have a much better structure than was previously there," said Perry.

A home run thanks to many donations. The biggest coming from Orthodontist Jeff Kozlowski who gave $10,000 to cover the insurance deductible and a lot more.

"The important thing to me was all of the kids in East Lyme that weren't going to be able to play baseball without the press box," said Kozlowski.

Many are pitching in for the 500 kids who play on the 40 teams in the league.

"I even played here," said John Roads, JMR Builders. "So did these guys, so we're all from East Lyme."

The first practice for players is scheduled for this weekend and then the first game is in April. News 8 is told the press box will be ready in plenty of time for the first pitch of the season.