In the spring of 2024, the Decatur County Parks & Recreation Board, along with Executive Director Teresa Kovachich, recognized the need for a Sports Complex Coordinator. When Rob Dehoff was hired in August, they had no idea just how quickly he would make an impact. Rob hit the ground running and immediately took the lead on revitalizing the ball diamonds.
With the support of the county and city the project became possible. The first four diamonds have been completed with plans and approvals to complete the other four diamonds this year.
During the Ribbon Cutting ceremony attendees had the opportunity to hear Dawn Lowe- Greensburg Decatur County Chamber of Commerce, Rob Dehoff, Victor Dance- Decatur County Parks Board President, Jesse Hamilton-Schutte Excavating, Scott Noah- Decatur County Youth Baseball, Jason Kleber- USSSA, Mayor Josh Marsh, Erica Gunn- Visit Greensburg Executive Director, Don Schilling Decatur County RDC, and Jeremy Pasel- Decatur County Commissioners President.
Attendees may have heard from a long list of speakers, but each shared a common message: the new turf at Decatur County’s first four diamonds is more than just an upgrade—it’s an investment in the community’s future.
Whether they were donors, public officials, or project partners, everyone involved made it clear that their efforts were driven by two goals: giving local youth a top-tier place to play and positioning Decatur County for significant economic growth.
As stakeholders stood proudly on the newly laid turf, a wave of nostalgia swept through the crowd. Many attendees were talking about their days at the diamonds. Also, several were speaking about watching their children and/or grandchildren playing on the field.
Erica Gunn shared exciting projections for the future. She noted that the new fields are expected to attract between 70,000 and 100,000 visitors per year, driven largely by tournament traffic. “We’re already seeing an increase in hotel reservations,” Gunn added, highlighting the early signs of a positive economic ripple effect.
