After seeing the number of players in the Cooperstown Little League diminish significantly in recent years, Jane Forbes Clark is hoping if she builds it, they will play.

Clark, president of The Clark Foundation, announced Tuesday that construction to create a new Little League Baseball field in Cooperstown has been completed at the Clark Sports Center.

The new baseball diamond will be used by youngsters playing T-ball and in Little League affiliated games. In addition, the field will accommodate the community's adult softball league and all of the Clark Sports Center's expanding baseball-related programs. It features 60-foot baselines, a skinned infield, a backstop and fences.

The field will help to alleviate many scheduling difficulties encountered by Cooperstown's organized baseball leagues.

Chris Hage, board chair of Cooperstown Youth Baseball said, "This added field will double the number of game and practice fields available to us. And the location is perfect because the Clark Sports Center is one of the community's central meeting places."

Cooperstown Little League board member Bruce Brodersen said the board is hoping additional fields will help increase the number of players in the Cooperstown Little League.

He said the league has lost a number of players to soccer in recent years.

Last year, Cooperstown fielded four T-ball teams, four minor league teams and just three major league teams. At one time, the Cooperstown Little League had as many as nine teams in the major league, but numbers have significantly diminished in recent years.

"We're hoping the new field helps to generate some interest in playing baseball," Brodersen said. "If we can draw the kids in at the T-ball level, it should help the entire program down the road."

There is also a Little League field on the Linden Ave. extension named Ainslie Field after longtime umpire Lavern "Beanie" Ainslie.

"I've also invited the Little League to use the existing softball field to practice on, so they will have three fields available," Clark Sports Center Director Brad Feik said. "We're hoping the new field will be a shot in the arm to the program."

Brodersen said a fall baseball league has been discussed, and Feik said clinics and instructional programs may also be offered at the new field.

"The Clark Foundation is delighted to provide this new field for the community's many baseball and softball players," remarked Clark. "Cooperstown, after all, is the birthplace of baseball and it is fitting and proper that its residents will now have the opportunity to play their favorite game in a first-class setting."