May 7, 2014:  At the dedication of Lower Scout Field last Saturday, baseball parent David Cyganowski opened his remarks with one simple question. "Do you believe in miracles?"

Maybe it was not quite a miracle, but in one short year Lower Scout Field was transformed into a field of dreams through a public and private partnership. Over $200,000 dollars were raised through private donations and public grants to update the field with new sod and a sprinkler system, along with new dugouts, fencing, bleachers, and an electronic scoreboard. Lower Scout Field is also dimensioned for soccer and lacrosse.

"This is how to use public and private funds to get things done efficiently," noted Cyganowski in his address. "We wanted to make this field the best in Westchester for current teams and generations to come."

Many Bronxville parents were the force behind this renovation. They formed a committee and worked feverishly at fundraising, planning, design, and execution of the project. Joe Pepe, a Bronxville baseball parent, was one of many who helped push the project through.

"Joe is a big Bronco fan," said committee member and parent Diana Lapins. "Baseball is true to his heart. He grew up playing for the Broncos and now his son, Joe, is playing, too."

Lapins, a designer, and John Seminara, a contractor, contributed countless hours to the project. They coordinated the subcontractors on the site and were down at the field monitoring the progress almost daily. It all came together thanks to a dedicated committee of parent volunteers including Cyganowski and his wife, Katie, Angela Seminara, Brooks and Laura Klimley, Joe Pepe, Michael Schultz, Bob Braumulller, Larry Bettino, and school athletic director Karen Peterson and Coach Anthony Vaglica.

It took a village, a town, and a county to make it happen, and without the support of many elected officials, the improvements would still be just a dream. "There was one champion overall," said Cyganowski. "Supervisor Tony Colavita. He is committed to keeping us safe, improving our quality of life, and improving athletic fields. There would be no Lower Scout without Tony Colavita."

In his address, Colavita gave thanks to the Westchester County executive. "I would like to recognize Rob Astorino, who committed funds to Eastchester, Tuckahoe, and Bronxville. $500,000 in grants have been given to improve Upper and Lower Scout."

Upper Scout, which is now a field for those 12 years and younger, is still in the planning stages. However, recently, the county has agreed to swap wetlands for dry land so that a regulation lacrosse and soccer field can be installed. Other improvements will be taking place on the fields at Parkway Oval and Chester Heights. In addition, Leewood Park is slated to get a dedicated turf field for soccer and lacrosse.

Saturday afternoon and evening were dedicated to Bronco baseball. Prior to the field dedication, the first-ever old-timers' softball game took place. Mike Sargent (Class of 1977) and Brian Byrne (1978) were among those "old-timers" who came out to play. Also in attendance were some recent grads, including Chris Wagner (2006) and Trevor Brucato (2007).

Immediately following the dedication, the Broncos took the field against neighboring rival Eastchester. Bronxville took an early 2-0 lead, but Eastchester pulled ahead in the fifth and won the game 5-2. It was the tenth win of the season for Eastchester Coach Dom Cerere, who is in his 50th year as head coach for the Eagles. Watching from the bleachers was former Bronco baseball coach Phil Kuczma, who coached from 1976 to 1998.

At the game, the team held a bake sale for the Zoe B. Klimley Scholarship Fund, collecting over $800 in donations. The Broncos' caps are embroidered with ZBK, in memory of Zoe, who was a junior at the Taft School when she died suddenly in January. Zoe's brother Graham was the starting pitcher for the Broncos.

Bronco baseball players and fans should enjoy the improvements at Lower Scout for years to come, thanks to a great partnership among the school, the village, the town, the county, and parent volunteers.

Go Broncos.

For photos of Spirit Week, click here: Spirit Week 2014.

Pictured here (rotating):  David Cyganowski addresses the crowd at the dedication of Upper Scout Field (photo by S. Quinn DeJoy); old-timers' game at Chambers Field (photo by Fran Pepe); baseball players sign autographs for the young fans (photo by Fran Pepe).