Shelton American Baseball and the Nike Site
History
The Shelton Little League was composed of three Little Leagues: North (Riverview Park),
South (Sunnyside Field) and Central (Huntington School Field). In 1984 a process to
reduce the number of leagues from three to two was implemented. The city was divided in
half with the North and South becoming Shelton National Little League and Central
becoming Shelton American Little League. Just prior to the merger of the North and South
divisions, the Nike Site complex was introduced and has since developed into the beautiful
sports complex of pristine ball fields which are played on today.
The Nike Site has a very interesting background. The name Nike was used in the naming of our complex
for a reason most people do not know, and no, it wasn't named after the sneaker. It was once one of
two US Army anti ballistic missile bases in CT which were installed in the mid 1950s, it was located in
Huntington off Mohegan Road, with a control station near Jones Tree Farm. NIKE missiles carried a small
nuclear warhead, and were intended as a last ditch defense against Soviet airborne nuclear attacks by
destroying the bombers with high altitude nuclear explosions.
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The
Nike
Hercules became operational in 1958, and more than 80 Nike Hercules missiles were
deployed in the was followed by the Nike Zeus missile, which had a preliminary test firing Aug. 26, 1959, and could fly more than 8,000 miles an hour. Nike missiles were launched from a self-contained launch area, and each site had two or three launching platforms. The missiles, stored underground on rails, were brought to the surface by elevators. Once on the surface, they were pushed on rails to an erector and raised to an angle of about 85 degrees for firing. The Nike missiles used the "command guidance" system, in which the major control equipment was ground based and not part of the expendable missile. A control area, at least 1,000 yards from the launch area, contained separate radars that simultaneously located and tracked both the target and the Nike missile and guided the missile to the target. Fortunately for humanity, the weapon system was never used. Missiles were visible on the grounds and the underground silo's which en-tombed them still reside on the property, of course there are no missiles in them. Decades after the base was deactivated as part of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, the land was eventually returned to the city of Shelton. All existing U.S. Nike batteries were inactivated Feb. 4, 1974. Nike Site BR-94 (as it was classified by the military), Launch and Radar control site and the assembly buildings were converted into a public recreation facility. This included Baseball fields, Recreation Halls, Football Fields, Tennis Courts, and Playgrounds. |
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Shelton American Progress throughout the years..........
(Updating information currently)
The 1980's …
The eighties brought (2) District 3 Championship titles in 1986, 1987 after the separation from the
three leagues.
The 1990's …
Community Center Filed Utilized for Shelton American, T-Ball and Division A Ball
The nineties only brought 1 district three State Championship, that team was our
own 1998 All Star Team, Shelton American. Nike 2 Constructed in 1997 and playing
started in 1998
2000 to Present.........
In the past nine years we have successfully maintained both
Nike 1&2 fields and hosted
many All Star Tournaments for District 3 for the 10, 11,
and 12 yr old players throughout
the region. We also installed lights on Nike 1 and 2 for night time play as well for late night
All Star games. We also built a brand new garage an have updated the snack stand to
accommodate more storage and updated electrical and plumbing. COMMUNITY CENTER
FACELIFT IN 2009
Shelton American has won 4 District 3 Little League Baseball Titles from 2000-2008. We
have won the sectionals in 2000. We are very proud of all the boys and girls! Last year our
10 yr old All - Stars won the Districts and went into the sectionals with a lot of momentum
but lost in the first round of play!
As you can see, we take great pride in our program by keeping our fields and facilities in
great shape. Shelton American pays for the maintenance of its fields and buildings,
including all utilities. The fundraisers, snack bar revenue, sponsorships and contributions
that you have made have helped pay for the operation and maintenance of all our fields.
Shelton American Little League has been blessed with dedicated volunteers, donors and
sponsors. Because of the involvement and dedication of good people the following projects
could be implemented. Entire Baseball complex was paved around fields and snackstand,
Field lighting was added, construction of Nike 2 field, bleachers, as well as fully equipped
snack bar facilities were also completed. Acquisition of field equipment, such as scoreboard
and snack bar equipment has enhanced our fields. Irrigation was installed on Nike 2 and
field maintenance equipment.