A real-life field of dreams

Long-time Montrose resident Eddie Carver has seen his fair share of ball diamonds. At ninety years old, he was honored on September 7 during a dedication ceremony on the field that bears his name. 

Carver Field in Montrose recently underwent renovations and upgrades, receiving a new infield, along with an outfield fence. In his youth, Eddie Carver played baseball for Montrose. In 1954, the team folded and the field on which Eddie played sat empty for ten years, growing weeds and hay until Eddie and his associates went before the Montrose Council and asked if they could lease the land. The City granted that lease and a transformation soon occurred. 

Eddie and a small group of softball players from the community formed a non-profit organization called Montrose Softball Inc. and began work on what would become Carver Field. Beginning in March of 1966, the group worked Monday through Friday from 4:00 p.m. to midnight, turning the once field of weeds and hay into a playable ballfield. On the weekends, the group worked from 8:00 p.m. to midnight. Eddie Carver, along with his family, were a part of Montrose softball for the next 38 years where they worked to maintain the field from 1966 to 2004. Eddie stated that “age eventually won out” and his organization donated the field to the City of Montrose.   

During those early years, Eddie and his associates built an infield, a concession stand, and a crow’s nest lookout where games were announced. “The field was completely funded out of the pockets of the members who worked to keep the field in top condition,” Eddie stated. “We had 12-15 members at times, members would come and go.” 

A few of the original members were on hand to help Eddie celebrate the dedication this past Saturday. Carver spoke often of those who helped him along the way, quick to give credit to everyone who had a hand in building and maintaining the field over the years. 

Dick Gabrelcik, one of the founding members of Montrose Softball Inc., told the story of how the original backstop was brought into town on a farm trailer. “The entire thing was hauled in one piece, hanging several feet over the edge. If I would have gotten picked up,” Dick laughed, “It wouldn’t have been good.” 

Carver recalls the original field well and spoke fondly of his family’s support. “The outfield fence was a snow fence, and the field had sunken dugouts. There was an outhouse behind the right field fence. Lights were added in 1966, and the poles still stand today. The sunken dugouts were replaced after 15 years due to a drainage problem. Games were played Monday through Thursday, along with tournaments on the weekends. My daughter would call in the scores following each night’s games to be read by the local radio station. I couldn’t have done it without my family. My wife was always working the concession stand, my kids ran the scoreboard and did the maintenance. For four to five months each summer, that was my family’s life.” 

Eddie is proud of the accomplishments of those who called Carver Field home. “We were lucky enough to win three state championships, one in ‘84, ‘90, and 2003, and a second-place finish in 1995. In its heyday, the field was called one of the finest small parks in Minnesota, as voted on by the umps, radio shows, and opposing ball teams.” Carver stated that there hasn’t been organized softball since 2004, but the field is frequently used by little league teams and local players.  

For the past 10 years, Carver Field has played host to an annual softball tournament fundraiser, with money raised being donated to Alzheimer’s research. Eddie’s wife, Sandy, passed away from Alzheimer’s in 2021. His four children have been active advocates with the Alzheimer’s Association, which also holds a golf tournament in June and a silent auction fundraiser in July. Their team’s name is Sandy’s Supporters, and they will participate in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Twin Cities, which is held at Target Field on Saturday, September 21.