T-ball controversy heats up again

    I was recently informed that the T-Ball diamond is not going to be utilized for the t-ball games. The reasoning behind this is the Youth Baseball Association feels they are losing too much revenue by not having a concession stand for these games.

    I find this very disturbing as the Village board, myself, and many others fought the Henry County board to keep the field so it could be used for this purpose. Recently a two year agreement was met allowing the village to keep the park so it could be utilized.

    I am very saddened and concerned by the decision of the Youth Baseball committee which was made regarding revenue and not safety for our children. We have very young and inexperienced children and with the grass field the ball is slowed down and does not tend to hop off the ground once it hits the grass. On the hard diamond the field allows the ball to maintain its speed and allows the ball to hop up off the ground causing a very high chance of one to be injured.    

    Also, what about scheduling conflicts? I was informed that last year t-ball games were shortened or even cancelled as baseball and softball games ran over their allowed time frame.

    Why even take a chance to deprive the younger kids when you have a field that is not being utilized at all? During sign up parents pay registration and are required to purchase raffle tickets. If you do not sell all your raffle tickets you still have to pay for them. I cannot believe we are not generating enough revenue with the raffle tickets and registration fees.

    I understand there are costs associated with operating the league like, grounds upkeep, umpires, equipment, insurance, electrical costs for the lights but I would think that with the amount of children that have signed up this year we could afford to maintain and still have sufficient funds left over.

    I find it hard to believe that the t-ball games would generate more than $75 in profit per game from the concession stand. If we have a 7 game season that is $525, I don’t think that justifies the risk we are taking for the safety of the little ones that are playing.

    I imagine that the Cambridge board considers this a great disrespect for what they have accomplished, and I am sure the Henry County board is saying thank you as you just proved we do not need the grass ball field anymore.

    Hopefully you will reconsider your decision and change your minds. If not, hopefully the parents, and Village board will make you realize that you can make choices based on revenue, but we as citizens and parents can also make decisions that will affect you and your revenue (like the Village helping maintain the ball diamond).

    I love watching children playing ball and never want to see that end in Cambridge, I also remember when we made rational decisions for the good of the sport, the village, and the safety of those playing.

    The Village board took the County board to task, maybe they need to get involved here to.

Randy Swanson, Cambridge resident