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Donation helps Pueblo families with youth baseball, softball costs
By Jessica Skropanic
April 11, 2026
The Pueblo Chieftain
Kids in southern Colorado could see lower costs for youth baseball and softball, thanks to a $5,000 donation from the James S. Kunzman Foundation to the Runyon Sports Complex.
The donation is intended to help cover the rising costs of equipment and participation fees, the foundation announced. Funds will be used to purchase shared gear such as bats, balls, helmets, and catchers’ equipment that multiple players can use over several seasons.
"This support helps us meet a real need for kids and families in Pueblo," said Runyon Sports Complex General Manager Larry Romero in the announcement. "The cost of gear keeps going up, and this kind of donation helps us put equipment in kids’ hands and keep them on the field."
The donation was presented during the "Pack the Park" event at Runyon Field on April 10. Roughly 800 local children participated in a pregame parade before the CSU Pueblo versus New Mexico Highlands game. The event brought together families, coaches, community leaders, and supporters to keep youth sports accessible, the announcement said.
Runyon Sports Complex is a major hub for youth baseball and softball in the region, serving thousands of children each week, according to the announcement. For many families, the cost of participation can reach hundreds of dollars, making community support increasingly important.
"This is about keeping kids able to play today and building something lasting for the community over time," said Samuel Kunzman, president and founder of the James S. Kunzman Foundation, in the announcement. "We want to help cover the cost of the gear and support kids need, but we also want to create experiences and programs that bring families together and strengthen the baseball and softball culture in Pueblo."
Kunzman Foundation plans sports programs expansion.
Runyon Sports Complex and the Kunzman Foundation also said they're planning additional programs, including youth skills camps and community movie nights.
Events are designed to keep children engaged, bring families together, and build a deeper sense of connection around baseball and softball in Pueblo, the foundation said.
Tyler Borzileri, who played baseball with James S. Kunzman Foundation Founder and President Sam Kunzman at Otero Junior College, was instrumental in boosting the foundation’s efforts.
"Pueblo cares deeply about baseball and softball, and Runyon means a lot to this community. This was never meant to be a one-time gesture. It is the beginning of a longer-term commitment to helping kids and families here. It is important to remember where you come from and support the folks who supported you. That is what we are all about," Borzileri said in the announcement.
This story was created by Jessica Skropanic,
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Build That Wall - Runyon Field Fundraising Improvement Campaign
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Build That Wall - Runyon Field Fundraising Campaign Hits $5,000
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SB Hall of Fame to Induct RSC General Manager Larry Romero
Pueblo SB Hall of Fame to Induct RSC General Manager Larry Romero
Chris Abdelmalek
Pueblo Chieftain | May 5, 2024
(Excerpts taken from story by Chris Abdelmalek)
The Pueblo Softball Hall of Fame will induct its 2024 class later this month. The five newest members of the Pueblo Softball Hall of Fame will be introduced during an on-field presentation at 5:30 p.m. on May 24 at Joe Santos Field at Ray Aguilera Park during festivities kicking off the Annual Joe Santos Memorial Fastpitch Tournament.
Larry Romero, the General Manager of the Runyon Sports Complex, will be inducted along with June "Juna" Duvall, John "JC" Carrillo, Rogers Samuels and two recipients of the Tony Bobian Memorial High school MVP: Bradie Poteet-Herrera (Pueblo West) and Marisa Gonzales (Pueblo East).
A proud Central High School graduate, Larry Romero was in his early 20s when he began his long, successful coaching career.
After years of playing, Romero retired his glove and turned his focus to coaching. He mentored, fathered, fundraised, supported and aided in creating strong young women. Many of his players have moved on to become successful mothers, professionals and community members. Romero taught his players the importance of family, grit, passion and a strong work ethic.
During his 17 years as the coach of Central High School girls softball, he coached two teams that made it to the state finals. He also made it to the postseason all 17 years. Among his recognitions are:
- Colorado High School Activities Association’s “Coach of the Year” (three times)
- Colorado High School Activities Association’s “Coach of the Decade”
- Coached Colorado High School All-State (six times)
- USSSA “Coach of the Year”
- USSSA Coach (five times)
Romero had the opportunity for one of his USSA teams to play against the Russian national team. The accomplishment he is most proud of is that 92 of his players went on to play at the collegiate level.
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Play ball!: Pueblo's Sports Complex completes nearly $2 million renovation
Play ball!: Pueblo's Sports Complex completes nearly $2 million renovation
BY JAMES BARTOLO | The Pueblo Chieftain | Feb. 9, 2024
Runyon Sports Complex is ready for the 2024 baseball and softball seasons after completing what may be its biggest renovation project in six decades.
The estimated $1.6 million to $1.75 million project contracted by H.W. Houston Construction includes major improvements to the complex's almost 90-year-old Hobbs Field. Vibrant infield turf, new dugouts, safety netting, a new press box, batting cage upgrades and accessibility improvements are among the field's new features.
Improvements to other Runyon Sports Complex fields, like the energy-efficient lights at Corsentino Field, also are part of the upgrades.
"I keep saying this is the heartbeat of Pueblo," said Richard Orona, board vice president at Runyon Sports Complex. "This is where all our kids come, whether they are East Side, South Side, County or Pueblo West. They play against each other in high school and in the summer they get on the same team."
The new turf at Hobbs Field already has been tested. Adams State University and Fort Hays State University baseball teams christened the field by playing four games on Feb. 1-2. The complex also hosted youth baseball and softball camps on Feb. 2.
Infield hits have proven to be much faster on turf, but so have the players. However, the outfield maintains its original grass and the outfield fence has kept its classic look.
The hybrid turf and dirt field at Hobbs ultimately will be more affordable for the Runyon Sports Complex team to maintain than a full grass field and will take less time to recover from rain.
"(Hobbs) Field will probably be playable a half hour after the rain," said Larry Romero, general manager of Runyon Sports Complex. "Andenucio Field is going to be ready five hours after the rain."
Hobbs Field's new press box is located in the middle grandstand's lower level, unlike the previous box that stood atop the grandstand. It has three rooms for media outlets or coaches to utilize, plus a fresh coat of green paint on the exterior.
Fans sitting in the grandstands behind home plate will have a less obstructed view of games, as black safety netting has replaced the old chain link flanked by metal poles. Accessibility ramps added to grandstands allow those in wheelchairs to enjoy a game from some of the best seats at the complex.
Expansions to Hobbs Field's dugouts and field dimensions funded by the project also could be a catalyst for attracting more college and semipro teams to the complex. Air Force Academy's NCAA Division I program already has expressed interest, according to Romero.
"Air Force has called — they are going to be here Sunday to do some intersquad because they are snowed out where they are at," Romero told the Chieftain on Feb. 6. "They are going to be here Sunday, weather permitting."
Improvements to the Runyon Sports Complex were made possible through Pueblo County voters' approval of Ballot Question 1A in 2016. The ballot question allocated about $66 million to Pueblo County government for multiple capital projects. Construction at Hobbs Field began in January 2023.
"Our commissioners have been great and our county manager has been very helpful throughout the whole project... It takes a family to build something like this," Romero said. "It wasn't just contractors, the Runyon board, or the county — it was everybody. It was a good joint venture."
Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at
