Legion Wa. Div 1

Heidelberg Complex is not a Priority for Metro Parks. (2012)

Tacoma parks get multi-million-dollar makeover , Tacoma Tribune Published: Aug. 12, 2012

Excerpt from above article....
Heidelberg Complex and Peck Field are still waiting for improvements. In 2010, Metro Parks applied for a grant to convert two grass fields at Peck to turf, but didn’t get it, Fraser said. The two baseball complexes need upgrades to the concession areas and drainage. The bond set aside $500,000 for each complex’s project.

“(There’s) a myriad of problems and not a whole lot of money,” Fraser said.

The drainage issues are a hindrance to local high school baseball teams. Last season, the Narrows League was unable to complete all of its games due to rainouts at Heidelberg.

“When it’s dry, it’s a great field,” said John Portenier, Narrows League commissioner....

The sad part is that is not dry in the spring, the Narrows tournament was in May, the regular season begins in mid March.  Stadium Baseball had seven of the first 8 games cancelled at Heidelberg, a problem that is repeated year after year,

Proposal:

• Maguinez field could be made playable in the spring with installation of field turf in the infield or the whole field.   There are numerous fields in Seattle, Eastside, Auburn, and Pierce County that have installed field turf with significant success.   Turf fields have a lower cost to maintain than grass fields (analysis).

• Turn the baseball field over to the school district for the high school baseball season.  Much like the agreement between Rodgers High School and Pierce County Parks has at Heritage Park in Puyallup.  It appears to me that the Metro Parks doesn’t have the resources to support the school district requirements for the baseball season, as other teams in the area have played games on days they were cancelled.    

History:

In 2004,  Heidelberg Getting Upgrades; New Lights, Dugouts, Backstop and Fencing.

1998,  CHENEY HAS DREAMY NEW GRASS
News Tribune, Published: 04-10-98
Byline: John McGrath; News Tribune columnist "Sometime Saturday night, Bob Christofferson - beginning his 18th season as the groundskeeper of Cheney Stadium - will hear the sweet, familiar sound of a baseball squarely hit. But then the ball might do things Christofferson has been waiting to see for, well, 18 years. It might take a bounce off the grass, true and high. It might roll all the way to the wall. Or it might be chased down by an outfielder whose feet are finally secure enough to sprint in any direction. .. Actually, the grass wasn't the problem. The problem was what was underneath it.  Because Cheney Stadium sits on a swamp... "  As is its neighbor Heidelberg is.

2000, Tacoma's Fields of Dreams are Nightmares

1956, Efforts of one man, Clay Huntington, whose "Friends of Kids’ Baseball" organization was the driving force behind the creation of the baseball complex.

Discussion & Bulletin Board 
Post your notices and messages here.