McNeill announces over $243K for Samuel Balliet Stadium upgrade

Rep. Jeanne McNeill    September 2, 2022

COPLAY, Sept. 2 – State funding totaling $243,545 has been awarded to Coplay Sports Inc. for a critical upgrade at Samuel Balliet Stadium, state Rep. Jeanne McNeill announced today.

The grant, funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, will be used for the replacement of lights at Samuel Balliet Stadium which were destroyed by hurricane Sandy in October 2012.

“It’s been inspiring to see the community and businesses coming together over the years to repair the park, but without lights the stadium has not been able to be utilized to its original, full potential,” said McNeill, D-Lehigh. “Now, nearly 10 years after Sandy left her devastation on this historic sports landmark, this funding will ensure Samuel Balliet Stadium will once again be the place schools and teams use for playoffs and night games. This will also benefit the community as well by providing another venue option for concerts and evening events.”

Samuel Balliet Stadium was built back in the 1940s and was named after Samuel “Sammy” Balliet, a local American Legion Baseball coach for the Coplay Athletic Association throughout the 1950s and 1960s. His teams went on to win a total of 6 PA State Championships.