Field of Dreams

An investment from the Jays Care Field of Dreams program will benefit the Salisbury Petitcodiac Minor Baseball Association.

“We’ve had to keep our lips sealed tight. We’ve known since the May long weekend. We were told that we were the recipients of the funding, and we were to host a watch party if we could, but we couldn’t let anyone know about the big news. So it’s been a little bit of a challenge, but we embraced it and pulled it together,” Three Rivers Recreation Director Natalie Griffin told our newsroom.

The application process began in the fall of 2025. Griffin approached the Association Operations Manager and told her there was a grant she really wanted to apply for.

“And so I worked on that, and then in February, we found out that we had been shortlisted and moved to the next level. So we had to do a little bit more of a detailed application. And then in May, we found out that we were the lucky recipients,” Griffin explained.

The Petitcodiac Field was the recipient of the Field of Dreams program and received over $10,000 for upgrades.

“So the field needed a portable mound. It’s a softball field, so there are only certain age levels that can play due to the size of the infield and the outfield. So we are able now to extend the infield out a few more feet, and then we’re also getting a portable mound so that it can be moved on and off of the field so it can be used for both disciplines of baseball and softball,” Griffin said.

The mound is expected to arrive in a few weeks, and the team has already started doing some of the infield work.

“Before, only players up to the age of U13 were able to use the field. So now we’re adding in the U15. So that’s going to increase it to probably at least 100 to 130 kids throughout the summer using it. The property is owned by the Anglophone East School District, so we have a reciprocal agreement with the community of Three Rivers and Anglophone East that we help maintain and take care of the property,” Griffin said.

In 2026, more than $2.6 million from the Jays Care Field of Dreams program will fund 22 projects across seven provinces. Three of the baseball diamonds are in New Brunswick, in Salisbury, Saint John, and Sainte-Anne-de-Madawaska.

“These upgraded diamonds will give kids a safe place where they can build character, resilience, and a sense of belonging through the game. Thank you to everyone involved in the local communities for bringing these projects to life, and we can’t wait to see the lasting impact these diamonds will have on kids across Canada,” Jays Care Foundation Executive Director Peter King said.