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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Mix saw thousands of dollars go down the drain when water didn't ... Fake grass offers real water savings ... Hosler Dam siren test due Monday ... Mix saw thousands of dollars go down the drain when water didn't ... Fake grass offers real water savings ... Hosler Dam siren test due Monday ... OUR VIEW Our View: Build it; they will play Comment DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Mar. 26, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Mar. 26, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News If there is a single place that helps define a smaller community, often it's the high school stadium. That's certainly true for many Ashlanders, those who watched their children play games there and those who just turn out to root for the Grizzlies. Now, thanks to Ashland High School alum and Major League Baseball pitcher Jeremy Guthrie, local residents have the opportunity to greatly improve Walter A. Phillips Field, for the high school and for the entire community. Guthrie has pledged $650,000 to the fundraising campaign that aims to replace the grass field with artificial turf. Other donors will have to make up the difference between Guthrie's gift and the $1.2 million goal, but we have no doubt Ashland is up to the challenge. Ashland is the only 5A or 6A school in Southern Oregon that does not have an artificial field. The natural turf, which has drainage problems in fall and winter, limits use of the stadium to football games only, and even those are often muddy affairs. A new synthetic surface would allow soccer games to be played there, and maybe lacrosse as well. Physical education classes could use the surface, and the baseball team could practice there. Community groups could also use the facility, something that isn't possible now. Pop Warner teams once used the field, but that ended after a rainy jamboree that caused too much damage. Environmentally conscious Ashlanders will have an added incentive to donate to the new field: It won't need watering.      DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Mar. 26, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501