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TREVORTON -- Building his own Wiffle ball field was an idea that always lingered in the back of Kurt Klinger's mind. After two years of planning, excavation and construction, Klinger's dream finally became a reality in his very own backyard.
The Wiffle ball field, fondly dubbed the "Mini Bank" after Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, was opened to family and friends of Klinger, 38, of Trevorton, on Memorial Day weekend.
Klinger's neighbor, Jane Konyar, threw the first pitch in honor of her late husband, who many people refer to as "Tiny."
Since then, locally formed Wiffle ball teams have banded together to create the T-Town Wiffleball League.
Many team members are from Trevorton, but Klinger said a few West Cameron and Numidia residents are part of the league.
Having residents of all ages from Trevorton and the surrounding areas has given all of the team members an opportunity to connect and build relationships with people they might not have been exposed to already.
According to Klinger, the league usually plays on the weekends if they can get enough people involved.
"We need more people on the rosters to make up for the people that can't make it," Klinger explained. He anticipates the league expanding if they can get more teams signed on for the remainder of the year or next year.
There are approximately eight members from each team playing on the field at once: three players take to the field, and five are on the batting lineup.
The field itself took approximately two years to complete, and nearly everything came directly out of Klinger's pocket.
In the summer of 2021, a section of white pine and black walnut trees was excavated from the land, and the space was leveled out to provide players with a safe, flat field.
The following spring, Klinger planted perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass and plotted where he would use infield and top dressing mix. He set the pitching mound with clay.
During the summer and fall of 2022, Klinger built and painted plywood, posts, and lattice fencing to emulate the outfield wall and fencing at Citizens Bank Stadium.
Klinger's wife, Alexis, gifted him the plate that originated from the Phillies stadium and now sits on second base on their Wiffle ball field.
A scoreboard and statistics from a game the Phillies played against the Los Angeles Angels are emblazoned across one of the walls. Klinger picked that specific game because he felt it was a turning point in the Phillies' season.
Despite the Wiffle ball field taking two years to finish, Klinger said he, his father and his brother were only able to work on it on the weekends. Klinger could only commit a few hours to the project on weekdays.
"It's so worth it," Klinger said. "I just wanted people to come here, hang out and have fun."
Klinger hopes to continue upgrading the field in the near future. A few of the projects he had in mind include but are not limited to adding more seating and light fixtures and straightening out the outfield wall.
To say that Klinger is merely a fan of the Philadelphia Phillies is an understatement.
On Sundays in Klinger's childhood, the family would wake up, go to church, eat a meal together, and watch the Phillies game.
He said that the Phillies make him think of his family, and his love for the team and the sport are very "family oriented" as well.
"We went to games at the Veterans Stadium and took family trips," Klinger recalled.
That sense of nostalgia is key to Klinger pursuing his passion with his family and other community members.
He said, "If it takes someone back to when they were a kid, then that's what it's all about."
The Wiffle ball field serves his family as much as it serves the community. Since the field is tucked neatly into the mountainside in their yard, his two young daughters have a space to play safely away from the bustle of the highway.
Sometimes, Klinger goes up to the field to hit around a ball on his own.
"I guess I'm still a kid at heart," he said.
The upkeep of the field is nothing new to Klinger. His backyard field requires raking, mowing and fertilizing at least a few times a week.
As a groundskeeper at Bucknell University, though, this kind of work is old hat for him. It also gives Klinger "something to take care of."
He was heavily inspired by the Phillies groundskeepers tending to the baseball fields.
In the games the league has played together, Klinger noted that players old and young thoroughly enjoy themselves on the field.
Only positive things have come from this Wiffle ball field tucked into the mountain with views as far as the eye can see, according to Klinger.
None of it would have been possible without the help of his father, brother and his wife, and expressed his gratitude and appreciation for them.
The T-Town Wiffleball League can be found on Facebook. Inquiries concerning the league, upkeep, or any ideas of what Klinger can add to his Wiffle ball field can be directed to Klinger via Facebook direct message or email at kurtklinger8@gmail.com.
Those interested in utilizing the Wiffle ball field during the day are requested to contact Klinger directly before utilizing the space.