By Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow —  On Friday, a new era began in Oxford with the dedication of the Kenny Thomas baseball field at the  Champeney Athletic Complex.

The new state-of-the-art baseball complex is the first phase of what will be a three-phase process in which a softball field and new concession stand will also be constructed.

“This is a beautiful facility and when completed it will be one of the best in our league and in the area,” said Kyle Green, Oxford head boys baseball coach. “I know the baseball boys and myself are very appreciative of all the community efforts that were made to bring this to fruition.”

The baseball field has been more than 10 years in the making and more than $100,000 have been raised. 

Kenny Thomas after throwing out the first pitch on Thomas Field at Champeny Athletic Complex with his grandson Oxford High School Junior Oggie Shimkus who caught the first pitch.

Life long Oxford resident Wallace Champeny donated the land for the complex. Each one of the fields will be named individually.

The baseball field was dedicated to Kenny Thomas, an Oxford High School graduate who had donated a lot of time, effort and money to this project.

“Kenny and his wife Judy are very strong supporters of Oxford High School and Oxford athletics,” Green said.

Several major donors were part of the project. They are listed as follows:

The softball field has not been named year.

MAJOR DONORS (financial support)

Wallace Champeny                                                Kenny & Judy Thomas

Wesley Totten Family                                           Corner Bank

Oxford Lions Club                                                   Class of 2012

General Electric                                                        Local GE Union

Oxford Reunion Run Committee                    Metz Farms

Norman and Veloris Chamberlain                   Oxford Baseball Assoc.

Oxford baseball team in the new dugouts.

MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS (labor, materials, and equipment)

Kenny Thomas                                                         Keri Shimkus

Totten Farms                                                            Wade Metz

Slack Farms                                                                Larry Book

John Pasman                                                             Mike Dowers

Jr. Wege                                                                       Bill Ward

Jackie Dennett                                                          Bob Hendricks

Del Parsons                                                                E.P. Nel

Tommy Lowry                                                          Robert Spoon

Phil Kreidler                                                               Sonny Crile

Paul Nash                                                                     Byron White

Adrian Colonnese                                                   Thane Buss

Don Short                                                                   Kirk Ives

“It will be a tremendous facility for our kids going forward and it’s a testament to how close this community is,” Green said. “They will always do what’s best for the kids.”

Green continued:

“We, the baseball team, are vary humbled and honored to be the first Oxford baseball team to play in this new facility.”

Since then Oxford has gone 2-2 in the new digs. After being swept by Derby Home School on its home opener, Oxford beat West Elk 20-0 and 21-0.