Numerous teams and leagues will utilize the fields at Clarksburg City Park located on Buckhannon Pike in the Nutter Fort area. While baseball normally headlines in the spring and summer, the idea of specializing in sports nowadays makes sports an all season arena with all the ability to play both indoors or outside.
In particular, Frank Loria field has been a hub for many leagues up through the collegiate ranks. In the past, Frank Loria was a privilege to play on. Babe Ruth All-Stars called Loria its home for decades as well as the Post 13 team where many of Clarksburg’s finest talent came to play. High school sectionals were played on the hallowed ground and here today besides Post 13, Salem University and Notre Dame High School calls Loria its home as well.
“It has been an arena where many of the best talent has played on this diamond,” said a former parks board member. “In the days where I was on the board and there were many, many teams in this area, playing on Loria was really something special. Today, with the new surface, the field still gets the same amount of activity. It is definitely one of the staples here in the area.”
Everyone has a story about playing on the field. Once, I was walking out to the car for lunch and saw an older man just standing on the landing by the fence in left field. I greeted him and asked him about his memories and he said he was on that field over 40 years ago playing as a kid. He had some great memories about the field and playing with relatives and friends and you could see in his eyes that he was taken back to his childhood.
You can ask an older generation about where they were when they heard that President Kennedy or Dr. Martin Luther King were assassinated and they can tell you exactly when it happened. Even today, buddies of mine tell stories about playing at Loria field. It is a place where memories can be kept whether a player or a fan. It is a place where memories are made and stories are often told.
Salem head coach J.T. Heenan, who has been a huge help with the improvements of the facility, had one of the schools biggest seasons including 31-wins, a conference championship and even a trip to the big dance. And, as he says, having a facility like this will play a huge role in the recruitment process for the university and for scheduling games whether fall scrimmages or the spring season.
Pony League, which will begin use of the field in August, has the various levels of talent playing this fall. But, while numbers are a little low, the fields will still be used by the league and, most likely, some travel teams that will use the fields as well for tryouts for the 2024 season.
While all mentioned have use of the fields, anyone can rent no matter the occasion. Following all restrictions, area softball leagues or families using the pavilions can add a field for activities that require a field. For more information, please contact the City Parks office to rent or for more information.