Garrett Saito weighed several options, but when it came down to it, he turned to his passion.

“I’ve played baseball all my life,” said the 15-year-old Skyline sophomore. “I guess it’s just where my heart lies. I love baseball.”

A few months ago, Saito, a member of the Boy Scouts of America, was in search of an Eagle Project. A trip down the street to knock around the ball at Sammamish’s McWhirter Field sparked an idea.

“I was getting hit ground balls and I couldn’t field (them),” Saito said. “There was just lumps everywhere. I couldn’t see the foul poles. I just thought there’s no mound … alright let’s take it into consideration.”

Hidden off Snake Trail, in the middle of the Klahanie neighborhood, McWhirter Field is one of several that the Sammamish Little League uses for games. Approximately 15 years old, the field was already being eyed for upgrades by Little League officials.

“I’ve always wanted a challenge,” Saito said. “You see the other projects done and it’s like ‘No, they’re doing like minimum 60 hours.’ I just always wanted something hard.”

Saito, who has played baseball since he was 4 and is a part of the Eastlake Tiger select team, immediately knew what he had to do.

He approached the league in October about revitalizing the facilities as part of his leadership program, and it was the perfect fit.

“It was extremely nice of Garrett to think of that field and make it his project,” said Sammamish Little League board member Bill Huhta.

With funds provided mostly by league, Saito organized a group of 30 to 40 volunteers to come out Jan. 16, and another group of 10 volunteers to come out Jan. 23. They logged more than 200 man hours working on a variety of projects. Saito oversaw the entire process, making sure everything got done correctly.

“He’s at the age where the whole thing’s all about teaching a boy leadership … I sat on my hands, and I’m really proud of him,” said Paul Saito, Garrett’s dad.

In just a short time, the field got a serious facelift. Gray foul polls were painted over with a bright coat of yellow paint. Bat racks were built in both dugouts. The backstop got a new pad put in place. Two truck loads of dirt were added to the infield to even it out. Bullpens were moved to the outside of the fence and mounds were added. Graffiti and trash were swept away, and permanent foul lines were sprayed on down the outfield lines.

“It’s a playoff field, and it’s in playoff conditions now,” Garrett said.

The field is set to be rolled and have a water absorbing and conditioning additive put in place in a couple weeks. It will be ready for use when the Little League season gets into full swing in March.

Asked what the most rewarding part of the whole experience was, Garrett said it will come this spring.

“I don’t think it’s happened yet, but it’s probably going to be when I watch a game and see them play,” he said.