The idea sparked when Jason Kidd’s five‑year‑old son asked for a baseball field while playing T‑ball. Kidd dismissed it at first, but the wish stuck. Over the next two years, he measured the backyard, cleared trees, and leveled a hill.
The finished field features regulation bases, a raised pitcher’s mound, and a 5‑to‑6‑thousand‑dollar clay surface that matches major‑league turf. Kidd paid about $30,000, covering clearing, grading, and material, but the fence remained unfinished.
Neighbors in Brookfield voiced concerns about property values, runoff, and stray balls. A township trustee received a complaint, and a passer‑by heckled the contractors. Kidd countered the runoff worry, saying the heavy clay would not wash away.
He plans a warning track, fence and scoreboard. Securing steel and a contractor has proven tricky, and he said in July 2019 he expected completion “within the next few weeks.” The fence is still pending, potentially delaying the field’s full use.
For the father, the project is a chance to bond with his son. “If he never wants to play a professional sport, that’s fine,” Kidd told Yahoo Lifestyle, acknowledging his son’s shifting interests. The field is meant for softball, not hard‑ball games, to keep it safe.
The field’s future hinges on resolving the fence issue and neighbor approvals. Kidd plans to present a final plan to the township board next month, hoping to clear the remaining objections before the field opens for family play.