Has a highschool team ever been run off their home field by a local little league team? This happened to Highlands yesterday. Highlands home field is in Highland Park. It is also used by city league teams, both boys and girls. The Varsity just finished batting practice when the JV was going to do theirs, but noticed it was to close to 5:30, (when they are orderd off the field for "little league" practices) so they decided to drag and rake the field and clean it up. Just then, a 8 year old girls softball team showed up for practice and proceeded to set up their field in the grass infield, (doesn't need any extra wear and tear, even by 8 year olds) and the precious little girls began to play in the dirt. Digging up the mound and holes in the base paths. So cute!!! Doesn't seem right to me.

 

There are 11 fields in Fort Thomas and only two are capable of having highschool baseball played on them. One at Highland Park and the other at Tower Park. Problem with Tower Park is that it used by city, money generating, adult softball leagues. Now they are not going to kick them off. So that leaves Highland Park.

 

From what I understand that there are only something like 9 or 10 teams in Fort Thomas. I might be wrong. With 9 other fields to play on with at least two practice slots each night, seems to me that there are plenty of other fields for the city league teams to play on. Even if there are more teams, there is still plenty of time slots at the other fields. So why is Highlands playing time restricted on their home field?

 

I'm wondering what official at either the city or the highschool has the responsiblity to make sure that the school has priority over little league teams. Not that little league teams aren't important, but I think it would work from the top down in seniority. Does anyone know who that would be? City manager, rec. dept. supervisor, Principle at the school, maybe the AD. I'm not sure. But it seems that no one wants to take responsibilty to make that decision. What to do!

 

Now you can see why HHS baseball program is in the state it's in. No respect from local leaders and leaders of the little league program. People ask why they aren't making games up or playng on Thursdays, Saturdays at home. Sorry! Not allowed. No fields. How ambarrasing! Even with this set back, I like the direction the new leaders of the team are taking the team. Keep winning and Go Birds!

When it comes to using the public parks, I would disagree that HHS has priority.

 

However, if its true that there are other fields available, it would seem easy to resolve.

 

HHS has an AD, correct?

Just then, a 8 year old girls softball team showed up for practice and proceeded to set up their field in the grass infield, (doesn't need any extra wear and tear, even by 8 year olds) and the precious little girls began to play in the dirt. Digging up the mound and holes in the base paths. So cute!!! Doesn't seem right to me.

 

While I understand you being upset with a bunch of kids digging up the field, maybe it would have been better if the team would explain to the kids and their coach, why they shouldn't dig up the field. Of course you just might be changing your mind about kids playing in the dirt in a few years, especially if you are lucky enough to have children. I am assuming you are a student right now.....:thumb:

 

There are 11 fields in Fort Thomas and only two are capable of having highschool baseball played on them. One at Highland Park and the other at Tower Park. Problem with Tower Park is that it used by city, money generating, adult softball leagues. Now they are not going to kick them off. So that leaves Highland Park.

 

From what I understand that there are only something like 9 or 10 teams in Fort Thomas. I might be wrong. With 9 other fields to play on with at least two practice slots each night, seems to me that there are plenty of other fields for the city league teams to play on. Even if there are more teams, there is still plenty of time slots at the other fields. So why is Highlands playing time restricted on their home field?

 

Then answer this question, why doesn't HHS pay the City of FT Thomas for the exclusive use of this field, if there are so many fields and so few baseball teams?

 

I'm wondering what official at either the city or the highschool has the responsiblity to make sure that the school has priority over little league teams. Not that little league teams aren't important, but I think it would work from the top down in seniority. Does anyone know who that would be? City manager, rec. dept. supervisor, Principle at the school, maybe the AD. I'm not sure. But it seems that no one wants to take responsibilty to make that decision. What to do!

 

And I am sure that their answer to you would be, it is a public field and public fields are to be use by the public. Again your thoughts just might change as you grow older and have children of your own. In fact, my guess is a lot of people on this list, just might think that a public park is no place for a high school team to be playing on, and it should be left for the younger children to use.

 

Good luck.....

I do not see what the big deal is? Obviously the little league team had practice at 5:30. Considering Highlands lets out before 3:00, that 2.5 hrs for practice. The statement just realized it was 5:30 shows a loss of time. Sounds like a time management problem by coaching staff. Bball teams at the middle school get 1 hr and 15 min daily for practice. A rigid practice schedule had to be followed to accomplish practice goals. Not that hard to figure out. And yes HHS has an AD. Maybe he should assess his baseball staff, if they have that much of a problem running a structured practice

I do not see what the big deal is? Obviously the little league team had practice at 5:30. Considering Highlands lets out before 3:00, that 2.5 hrs for practice. The statement just realized it was 5:30 shows a loss of time. Sounds like a time management problem by coaching staff. Bball teams at the middle school get 1 hr and 15 min daily for practice. A rigid practice schedule had to be followed to accomplish practice goals. Not that hard to figure out. And yes HHS has an AD. Maybe he should assess his baseball staff, if they have that much of a problem running a structured practice

It sounds like maybe you had one of those kids playing in the dirt. Just kidding! The HHS baseball team has taken care of Highland park all season long. They had 20 tons of sand and dirt mixture put on the infield, they cut their own grass before every game. (Remember this is a city park) This work was performed by the baseball team. I don't remember seeing any football players having to take care of their playing field before playing a game. It's a shame that a school with this much support and care for their athletic programs would allow something like this to happen. I just think that the baseball team seems to get the short end of the stick! If you know what I mean! As for the time management of the basketball team, there is only 1 gym and 4 teams competing for time. It would make it almost impossible to practice any longer than 1hr 15 min. for 4 teams in any given evening.

There are 300 + Fort Thomas kids playing in that league with a lot more than 9 teams playing. They are not permitted to use the Woodfill fields. Where are the rest of the fields? Moyer? That's not a field. River road? Perhaps for t-ball but nothing else. Highlands should not get a priority over that many kids.

It sounds like maybe you had one of those kids playing in the dirt. Just kidding! The HHS baseball team has taken care of Highland park all season long. They had 20 tons of sand and dirt mixture put on the infield, they cut their own grass before every game. (Remember this is a city park) This work was performed by the baseball team. I don't remember seeing any football players having to take care of their playing field before playing a game. It's a shame that a school with this much support and care for their athletic programs would allow something like this to happen. I just think that the baseball team seems to get the short end of the stick! If you know what I mean! As for the time management of the basketball team, there is only 1 gym and 4 teams competing for time. It would make it almost impossible to practice any longer than 1hr 15 min. for 4 teams in any given evening.

Exactly why you structure your practice down to the minute. If you know you have the field for 2 hrs, then you should be finished at that time. There are a lot of teams looking for practice time on the fields. A schedule must be created and adhered to no matter who the team is.

Just one ?. The city runs the use of the football field, if Dale was using the field for football would it be alright for a soccer team to come and kick them off the field. I don't think that would happen!

Exactly why you structure your practice down to the minute. If you know you have the field for 2 hrs, then you should be finished at that time. There are a lot of teams looking for practice time on the fields. A schedule must be created and adhered to no matter who the team is.

Obviously you don't coach baseball because if you did you would understand how hard it is to have practice for 30 varsity & JV using 1 field in a 2 hrs. Weather is the biggest problem when trying to find practice time when not playing games.

In fact, my guess is a lot of people on this list, just might think that a public park is no place for a high school team to be playing on, and it should be left for the younger children to use.

Where exactly would you have them play?

 

That field was built with the understanding that the high school baseball team would have priority.

 

There's no reason the little leagues can't use one of the many other fields.

Obviously you don't coach baseball because if you did you would understand how hard it is to have practice for 30 varsity & JV using 1 field in a 2 hrs. Weather is the biggest problem when trying to find practice time when not playing games.

I understand the weather thing, however I have to ask how complex is a baseball practice. By the time kids are in high school they pretty much know how to play the game. There are a few situational plays to work on. BP can always be taken indoors during bad weather. I just can't believe that you can't get enough work in with an organized practice. I just happen to know a high school coach in Ohio. I'll get his assessment of practice. Maybe I am wrong.

Model has a problem with this too. Except when we are trying to get ready for games our track team is out on the field running. Being part of Eastern Kentucky University we use their track so i feel our track team could either go up there or to the intermueral (sp?) fields across campus instead of trying to fight for the baseball field when we are preparing for a game.

Where exactly would you have them play?

 

That field was built with the understanding that the high school baseball team would have priority.

 

There's no reason the little leagues can't use one of the many other fields.

 

On their very own field? :thumb: Come on, are you telling me that the "poor" City of Fort Thomas, and it citizens can't come up with the cash and or committee to build a baseball field for HHS.....

 

And then if the field was built with the understand that the high school baseball team would have priority, then why was another team allowed to have a scheduled practice on 'YOUR FIELD". Seems to me, that maybe the understanding, is with HHS only, and not the with the City......

 

If I were a citizen of Fort Thomas and had little kids, and the mayor or City Council Member said "There's no reason the little leagues can't use one of the many other field" you certainly wouldn't be getting my vote come election time this November...... The Kids of the community that far outnumber the high school baseball team, should come first IMO on a public field.......

On their very own field? :thumb: Come on, are you telling me that the "poor" City of Fort Thomas, and it citizens can't come up with the cash and or committee to build a baseball field for HHS.....

They did. It's called Highland Park Field!

 

And then if the field was built with the understand that the high school baseball team would have priority, then why was another team allowed to have a scheduled practice on 'YOUR FIELD". Seems to me, that maybe the understanding, is with HHS only, and not the with the City....

Then I'm afraid it seems to you incorrectly. I happen to be very familiar with the original arrangement. That may have changed since then; but originally, the high school had priority - as well it should.

 

If I were a citizen of Fort Thomas and had little kids, and the mayor or City Council Member said "There's no reason the little leagues can't use one of the many other field" you certainly wouldn't be getting my vote come election time this November...... The Kids of the community that far outnumber the high school baseball team, should come first IMO on a public field.......

Those little kids will someday BE the high school team! It just makes sense that this team would have some priority.

They did. It's called Highland Park Field!

 

Then where is the problem, if it's "your field"? I mean did or didn't the City build it exclusive for the HHS baseball team, and if they did, then why are other teams using it? I can't image that the CovCath, SK, etc. of the area, would get kicked off "their fields", by some eight year old girls team.