Youth now have a brand-new pair of diamonds to practice baseball on in the city of Manson.

Behind the efforts of the Youth Cougar Club, city of Manson, Rasch Construction and countless others, two fields were built.

Play began on the diamonds this past Tuesday night with a ceremony honoring those involved in the efforts to construct Cougar and Rasch Fields.

“The Youth Cougar Club identified a need to enhance the area in terms of fields and facility,” Dave Pearson said. “All we had was an old dirty field by the football field that was used as a parking lot during football games and track meets.

“So, we relocated everything to over by the high school and MAC and built new fields.”

Pearson, who co-chairs the YCC with Brandon Bush, estimated the project cost “just north of $150,000.”

“It’s going to be phenomenal,” he said. “We have our own designated spot and I’ve already been driving by and seeing dads with their sons and daughters playing catch and pitching.

“It has really revitalized baseball and softball with the youth in Manson. Seeing that energy get going has been pretty special.”

One of the fields was named in honor of Justin Rasch, who passed away in 2020 after an eight-year battle with ALS. Rasch’s sons threw out the ceremonial first pitch, with Manson Northwest Webster Superintendent Justin Daggett and Manson Mayor Dave Anderson doing the same on Cougar Field.

“The city of Manson was a huge contributor, along with the school district,” Pearson said. “We had numerous business sponsors, community members and families donate and provide labor. Rasch Construction was one of the top contributors to the whole project.

“It just really is going to be very special and hopefully provides many, many years of games to be played.”

The first games played featured teams from both Manson and Fort Dodge.