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Local Parents Want Better Baseball/Softball Fields

Local Parents Want Better Baseball/Softball Fields
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By West Kentucky Star Staff
May. 24, 2018 | PADUCAH, KY
By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 24, 2018 | 06:57 PM | PADUCAH, KY
Spurred by the concerns of several vocal parents over last weekend, local officials have been made fully aware of the condition of the city-owned baseball and softball fields. Most want the current ones improved, but others would like a new facility.

Social media lit up with comments after a few people shared an email from the organizer of a tournament that used fields at Bob Noble and Stuart Nelson Parks. The email was sent to coaches and parents apologizing for the condition of the fields and other inconveniences. Brooke Armbruster Clymer with USSSA indicated that they will not schedule tournaments in Paducah until "major improvements are made."

Several parents confessed their embarrassment over their hometown's fields, and the fact that permanent restrooms and concessions were not available. Organizers arranged in advance for a licensed food truck at one park, and another had to be hired at the last minute.

One parent, who did not want her name mentioned, said approximately 90 teams in several age divisions paid entry fees and traveled to the area to participate. Her family travels to events like this frequently, so they have come to expect well-maintained fields and facilities.

"The bathrooms were locked at Bob Noble Park, and the concession stands weren't open. We didn't even have a top on our dugout. It was awful," she said. 

This parent and several others on Facebook indicated that Paducah's location makes it perfect for tournaments - which generate lots of money in local economies - if the city is willing to keep the facilities ready for use.

On Facebook, several local officials, including City Commissioner Sarah Stewart Holland and County Commissioner candidates Jeff Parker and Ricky Box expressed their desire to discuss the situation.

When contacted on Monday about the situation, West Kentucky Star received an email response from Amie Clark of the Paducah Parks Department on Wednesday afternoon. Here is her email:

"I remained in contact with the tournament director throughout the day and remedied any issues that were discussed.  A citizen contacted one of our city commissioners Saturday evening and that message was forwarded to me.  I followed up with the tournament director after the complaint came through and she wasn’t aware of any complaints at that time.  I found a post from a citizen on my Facebook newsfeed early Sunday morning with a complaint about Noble Park.  I started following the post and kept up with it and others through the day.  We communicated with the tournament director throughout the day.  Sunday afternoon, another citizen copied the post and sent it to Parks via Messenger. 
 
The tournament director has hosted tournaments in Paducah prior to this season and therefore is familiar with our facilities. We have worked with this tournament director before on field set up and maintenance for those tournaments as well as providing a food vendor for concessions.  I am following up with the tournament director this week to discuss this past weekend further and how we can improve."

On Tuesday, an online petition was created at change.org to create a baseball and softball facility for tournaments. As of Thursday evening, it had already gathered more than half of its goal of 500 online signatures.

On the Net:

Petition at change.org
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