Waterford Softball Field Restoration Finished
Local operators can look to community-led facility upgrades as a model for leveraging private partnerships for infrastructure.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Katie Belliotti has completed the one-year restoration of the historic Freehan Field in Waterford, Michigan. The venue will now serve as a functional home for the Lady Outlaws travel softball team and a host site for regional charity events.
Why it matters
This project demonstrates how grassroots facility improvements can create new revenue streams and community engagement opportunities. By partnering with external foundations, operators can secure the resources necessary to upgrade aging infrastructure.
The Patricia Ann Perroni Field of Dreams Foundation raised over $50,000 in summer 2026, a significant increase from the initial $1,500 tournament total. The foundation also provided a $2,500 donation to support the Belliotti family's efforts.
The players
Katie Belliotti
The project leader who managed the year-long restoration of Freehan Field.
Sam Perroni
Founder of the Patricia Ann Perroni Field of Dreams Foundation and provider of operational models for facility management.
Patricia Ann Perroni Field of Dreams Foundation
A philanthropic organization focused on raising funds for Alzheimer's disease research through sports tournaments.
The details
The restoration of the 1972-era facility required extensive physical improvements, including a new infield, repaired scoreboard, and an extended backstop. Community members collaborated to convert the site from a baseball diamond to a specialized softball facility. Belliotti modeled the operational changes after an existing field in Arkansas maintained by Sam Perroni.
Timeline
1972: Freehan Field was originally constructed.
Summer 2026: The foundation raised over $50,000 through a tournament.
October 2026: The restoration project reached completion.
Summer 2027: The field is scheduled to host a future Alzheimer's fundraiser.
Market Landscape
This project mirrors the growth pattern of the 2026 Field of Dreams fundraising model by formalizing a local facility as a platform for charitable expansion. Organizers now aim to scale these efforts from individual tournaments into a nationwide outreach strategy.
Owners managing aging physical assets should evaluate if specific sport or recreational facility upgrades can attract foundation partners. Consider whether your community footprint can support similar niche-market fundraising events to subsidize long-term capital maintenance.
The takeaway
Restoring underutilized infrastructure requires both physical labor and strategic alignment with established charitable organizations. Track the growth of the Perroni tournament series next summer to see how national expansion impacts local field-use demand.
What happens next
The Waterford field is scheduled to host an Alzheimer's fundraiser in the summer of 2027.
Further reading
For more on how local businesses drive civic projects, see our coverage of Philanthropy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WXYZ 7 News Detroit.
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