Surprise: Scotts to refurbish Finch's local field

For years, Jennie Finch -- arguably the greatest softball pitcher in history -- has given to baseball and softball communities around the country.

Now, it was time for the community to give back to Finch.

Last year, hurricanes decimated Finch's hometown of Lake Charles, La. The baseball and softball playing grounds were not spared. But in surprise fashion on MLB Network, Finch learned that her hometown's turf will be getting a big league upgrade.

"Obviously your hometown of Lake Charles, Louisiana, where you reside right now has been hit big time by the hurricanes and so we are trying to figure [out], how do we get the boys and girls baseball back, softball back, but guess what? I have a surprise for you," said MLB Network talent Kevin Millar.

"College Oak Softball Complex in Lake Charles, Louisiana, will be done by June of 2021, and there is your surprise from Uncle Kevin, there is your surprise from Scotts and thank you Scotts for touching lives all across this country."

Finch was taken aback by the surprise gift to her community, profusely grateful for the benefits on the way.

"Thank you so much, Scotts, from the bottom of my heart. I know that this community needs all the help that we can get and so I know that this will be just something so special and something to bring up the spirits of the young kids and parents and families in this community. Wow! So cool, so amazing, I can’t wait to see it," Finch said.

Finch's local field will not be the only one to receive a revamp in 2021, with the Scotts Field Refurbishment program back for a sixth season.

With a tip of the cap to the continued generosity of the Scotts Field Refurbishment Program -- co-operated by The Scotts Company and MLB -- five new communities (four winners plus Finch's hometown) will benefit from such hope for quite some time.

The selection process is always tough, to say the least, as MLB and Scotts receive hundreds of grant applications from nearly every state in the union. Over the first five years of the program, the Scotts Field Refurbishment Program renovated more than two dozen fields across the country, contributing nearly $2 million to improve these ballfields.

It's been easy to see the positive impact of the Scotts Field Refurbishment Program. For countless children, a new field represents a door opened to limitless possibilities.

Finch and former Phillies MVP Ryan Howard will return this season as ambassadors, helping to select and celebrate the winning communities.

The field-upgrade program is part of Scotts’ efforts as an official partner of the Play Ball initiative, MLB’s collective effort to encourage young people and communities to participate in baseball- or softball-related activities, including formal leagues, events and casual forms of play, such as stick ball.

Applications for this season's program can be submitted until April 9 on MLB.com/ScottsField.