Big Pocono Little League is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a $36,000 grant from the ESSA Bank and Trust Foundation to support the organization’s project to renovate the TLC baseball field.  The field, located on Route 715 across from The Crossings outlets and behind the site of the former Tannersville Learning Center, has been rarely used for competitive baseball or softball in recent years, due to poor drainage and frequent flooding.  The renovation project’s goal is to resolve these problems through re-grading, and to upgrade some of the structures.   According to BPLL president Rusty Johnson, “Renovation of the TLC field is a key project in our efforts to expand our programs for the community.  It will allow us to host major tournaments, and to expand into the new 50/70 Little League pilot program while continuing all of our existing programs.”   BPLL is responsible for community baseball, softball, coach pitch, and T-ball programs in Jackson and Pocono townships, as well as the Challenger program (which supports baseball for mentally or physically challenged youths) for all of Monroe County.  50/70 is a Little League pilot program for 12 and 13 year olds as a stepping stone into Junior League baseball.  Beginning this season, BPLL will become one of the first in the area to offer the 50/70 pilot program.   The renovation project is being accomplished as a cooperative project between BPLL and Pocono Township, which is contributing substantially to the re-grading project.  In addition to re-grading the field, BPLL and the township plan to build a new retaining wall, replace the old backstop on the field, and install new fencing around the field.   Following completion of the project, BPLL plans to begin calling the field “ESSA Field” in recognition of the significant ongoing contributions that ESSA has made to its projects over the years.