By Joe Agemy, Graceland Junior
Longtime Lamoni business leaders Donald Millslagle II, his son Chip Millslagle, and their companies, 
Industrial Hardfacing (IHI) and ProCom, have stepped forward to further the "dream" at our North Park baseball and softball complex.
You will remember that a Graceland 1953 alumnus made a donation to create a completely refurbished North Park baseball field worthy of Kevin Costner's Field of Dreams. Now, a significant gift from Chip and his dad and their companies will bring about improvements with the softball field to rival the baseball field metamorphosis. Okay, now we can call them the Fields of Dreams.
When you go out to North Park this spring to catch a Graceland softball game, you will have a totally new experience. The Millslagle gift of $36,000 to the city and GU, and other contributions, has been used to replace the old fence with new chain-link fencing, construct new dugouts, create a much-improved playing surface, build a new press box, make back stop improvements, construct new batting cages, obtain a field tarp, install signage and install a new P-A system. The new field will hold up better in poor weather conditions and when completed it will finalize the total makeover of the North Park baseball/softball complex.
To top things off the Lamoni Pool and Recreation Board applied for and received a grant from KCCI TV in Des Moines, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, for a new high-tech scoreboard (rendition is shown above) for the softball field. The scoreboard will advertise Graceland University, the Millslagle's holding company HMP, and the Lamoni Demons. Pool and Recreation Board Chair Talia Brown said she was delighted that Lamoni and Graceland were chosen among 12 Iowa communities to receive these new scoreboards. "It was a big plus that college, high school, middle school and community teams will play on the field," Talia said. She added that electrical heaters are being installed in the restrooms (to avoid frozen pipes) to allow use throughout all playing seasons. She also said fundraising is underway to create a third field, necessary to host regional tournaments.
Although Chip never attended Graceland, he and his family have many business and social ties to the community and he has children in the Lamoni Schools. "This effort has involved the contributions of many individuals and groups," Chip said. "It's a win-win deal all the way around." He is Operations Manager for IHI, a company founded by his grandfather, Donald Sr. Chip's dad is CEO and has lived in the community for more than 35 years. Between ProCom (a telemarketing firm located east of Lamoni) and IHI, the Millslagles employ about 200 people in the area.
Chip moved to Lamoni when he was 14 years old. He and his dad have watched the North Park fields decline. So, they decided they would get involved and give something back to the community and the university. Chip said, "This is a positive way to support the community and bridge relations between Lamoni and Graceland. This literally benefits everyone."
Combined with the major improvements made to the baseball field (now known as Chase Stadium to honor donor Ray Chase and his family) the softball field improvements make our North Park complex the premier facility in the region. College and public school teams from all over will have great experiences in Lamoni and news about what a great town this is will spread. The new softball field will be known as HMP Stadium, named for the Millslagle's holding company.
The GU softball players themselves, and community volunteers like Glenn Brush and Greg Badder, are performing much of the labor to get the field ready for spring. GU Head Softball Coach Bill "Duke" Dudek said his players are excited to hit the field for their first home game. "This has been a good effort between the Millslagles, the city, community members and Graceland," Duke said. "It's great to see so many people working together." The bleachers will stay essentially the same but picnic benches will be added for additional seating. Duke said he encourages spectators to bring their own lawn chairs to games.
These new changes made possible by the Millslagle family and others will make this spring and summer at North Park a time no one will forget. A new year, new fields, new dreams....Let's Play Ball!
