The Houston Independent School District’s softball and baseball fields are safer and less likely to flood thanks to a $70,000 Sports Matter grant from The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation.

Superintendent Millard House II accepted a ceremonial check at the Delmar Sports Complex on Tuesday. The improvements have already been completed and paid for by the grant.

Infield playing surfaces at all HISD game sites have received the upgrades. They include Barnett, Butler, Cowart, and Delmar Sports Complexes.

“A safe environment in which to compete is the minimum requirement for our student-athletes,” said House. “Thanks to the generosity of DICK’S Sporting Goods and The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation, our students are safer and less likely have games postponed due to heavy rain. In addition, we are grateful that DICK’S paid to improve the playing surfaces used by all of our girls’ softball and boys’ baseball teams.”

The improvements address natural deterioration associated with weather conditions and regular use by more than two-dozen high schools that compete at the four HISD stadiums.

“As a former female athlete, I know that HISD is committed to ensuring our girls have an equal opportunity to grow, earn scholarships and compete at the collegiate level,” said Athletics Program Administrator Leslie Harris. “This grant helps ensure that the next generation of students will have fields on par with their competitors’ facilities.”

It had been more than 15 years since the infield playing surfaces at HISD’s softball and baseball fields have been upgraded.

“At DICK’S Sporting Goods we believe that sports make people better and are proud to support Houston Independent School District with a Sports Matter grant for their baseball and softball programs,” said Aaron Pisk, DICK’S Sporting Goods Community Marketing Manager.