HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4b: Little League Proposal for Modifications to Bonita Park Ball Field STAFF
REPORT
Recreation and Community Services Department
DATE: December 6, 2011
TO: Mayor and City Council f
FROM: Sara Somogyi, Recreation & Community Services Director 1e1
Prepared by: Ryan Wright, Recreation & Community Services Assistant
Directorff4)
SUBJECT: Arcadia Little League's Junior Program Proposal for Modifications to
Bonita Park Ball Field
Recommendation: Approve
SUMMARY
The Arcadia chapter of Little League International has recently approved a Juniors
Program to serve the needs of participants when they conclude their Little League
experience at age 12. The Juniors Program will allow participants ages 13-14 to play on
a field with larger dimensions (i.e. pitcher's mound and base paths) in preparation for the
high school level. Based on this development, the three local Little Leagues (Arcadia
American, Arcadia National, & Santa Anita) have worked together to create a Juniors
program in Arcadia and have determined Bonita Park ball field would be an ideal location.
Due to the current availability of the field in the upcoming spring season and the proposed
improvements the Junior Program has offered at no cost to the City, it is recommended
City Council accept the proposal and subsequent improvements, subject to the conditions
of this report.
DISCUSSION
Bonita Park ball field has served as the home for Arcadia Pony baseball for many years.
Most recently though, Pony has faced some challenging times which include removal of
their I.R.S. non-profit status (501c-3), ability to secure a complete board of directors, and
most importantly register enough participants to create a successful program. Currently,
the program has two teams which include several Arcadia residents, but mostly from
neighboring communities. Past practice has been for the "main" field user to provide
ongoing infield maintenance and repair. These items are currently not financially possible
for Pony. The infield is currently in need of repair, specifically additional infield mix, turf,
and laser leveling.
In mid-September, Little League International approved a Juniors Program which would
be made up of children with similar ages as Pony, yet with several differences found on
the ball field. The Juniors program will use 90ft. base paths, while Pony utilizes an 80ft.
base path. The Juniors program will use a pitching rubber at 60 '/2ft., while Pony utilizes
a pitching rubber at 55ft. The logic behind the differences is the Juniors program will
provide participants an opportunity to play at the same field dimensions they will find at
the high school level. This program is intended to provide for a smoother transition
between the standard Little League program prior to entering a high school baseball
program. Based on early estimates, the Arcadia Juniors program believes they can field
about five teams, which will include 75-85% Arcadia residents and utilize the current
board of directors and financing found in the existing three baseball programs.
In order to provide a safe and Little League acceptable field, the Juniors program has
been in contact with the City to discuss the potential of utilizing Bonita Park. Based on
the current field situation, City staff has worked closely with representatives from all three
Little Leagues and received a written proposal for $29,700 to include the additional field
dimensions, replace the damaged infield turf, add materials to the infield, laser level the
infield, rebuild the pitcher's mound, relocate the existing quick coupler behind the mound,
and sod cut the infield lip to allow for 90ft. base pegs. A key component to these
modifications is the contractor will ensure the 80ft. pegs remain in place and the pitching
mound will include a pitching rubber at the 55ft. These dimensions are vital to allow City
staff the ability to allocate the field to a variety of users in the future, including potentially
Pony baseball or other organizations who use the shorter distances.
The Juniors program provided the Recreation & Parks Commission a written request to
complete the contracted modifications at their own expense without any cost to the City.
In return, the Juniors program has requested assurance that field permits will be allocated
to the program in future seasons, as well as a potential credit towards a portion of any
future permitting fees that may be imposed. The Recreation & Parks Commission
discussed the item at the November 9th meeting and made a motion to approve the
request, while not granting a right of possession or ownership and the program must go
through the same annual process and procedure with regards to the field allocation and
pay whatever fees are ultimately decided through the program. This motion was
unanimously accepted 4-0. Staff has discussed these conditions with the league liaison
and the organization wishes to continue with the proposal with the aforementioned
motion. If approved, field modifications would take place in mid-December for two to
three days, followed by a field closure of approximately one month for sod growth.
FISCAL IMPACT
There will be no fiscal impact to the City of Arcadia since the contract will be entered into
by Athletic Field Specialists and Little League. The City will require a written agreement
from the Little League Juniors Program outlining the proposed work, the project timeline,
insurance requirements, and business license requirements. The City will provide
oversight of the project including review of plans and approval of completed work.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the Little League Juniors Program proposal for improvements and
modifications at the Bonita Park ball field in the amount of approximately $29,700.
Approved :
Donald Penman, City Manager