The Acworth Police Department hopes the bases will be loaded with cash this weekend as they raise money to help complete a special needs field.

During a 24-hour event called "Covering the Bases," police and members of the public will run makeshift basepaths where the new field will be built at the Acworth Sports Complex. The first runner will begin at 5 p.m. Friday and the last will cross home plate at 5 p.m. Saturday at 4000 South Main St.

Sliding is not required.

Capt. Wayne Dennard said Acworth police hope to raise $5,000 to $10,000 for the sports field, which is about $100,000 short of starting construction.

"If you think about it, we've got the bases covered for most of our other children who play organized sports like baseball, football and soccer," Dennard said. "Doing this, we're covering the bases for all the children."

Dennard said people can contribute money by buying raffle tickets or by pledging to run or walk the bases.

Pledge forms are available at the Acworth Police Department and city hall.

"If you can walk the bases for 15 minutes or an hour, come out and walk," Dennard said.

Entertainment and other activities will take place throughout the day. With Little League games going on Saturday at the same complex, Dennard expects a lot of baserunners. However, he admitted the turnout could be sparse in the wee hours of the morning.

"It'll have to be somebody that's committed," he said. "The incentive is to be part of the groundbreaking of this neat idea."

The special needs field will be the fourth of its kind in the state and the first in Cobb County.

Recreation coordinator Frank White said the original budget for the field was about $1.4 million, but that dropped to about $950,000 after receiving services from a construction company.