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Today's Poll!Jefferson City to end competitive youth leagues
Parks and Rec unable to compete with other baseball, softball leagues
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Jefferson City Parks and Recreation will no longer offer competitive baseball or softball leagues starting in 2013.
Department officials say the competitive leagues are struggling and are unable to compete with private organizations. Department director Bill Lockwood said those organizations, such as BC Baseball in Columbia, market heavily to local parents, making it more difficult to keep them in the Parks and Recreation leagues.
A report compiled for the Recreation Services Committee states BC Baseball successfully recruited and attracted enough local teams to promise a majority of games would be played in the Jefferson City area instead of Columbia.
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Comments
PatsyDecline 10 months, 2 weeks ago
It is pretty pathetic that a town the size of JC, with a Park & Rec Dept run by an admitted chronic gas thief, can't even keep local youth baseball/softball going.
It speaks volumes as to the priorities of the City of Jefferson.....and it sure ain't your kids.
JCLifer 10 months, 2 weeks ago
It ain't for a lack of money. Parks and Wreck is rolling in it due to their earmarked tax.
dokeus6 10 months, 2 weeks ago
Well the parks and rec department put out a notice in the paper the other day that they are looking for an architect for a multi-purpose building but they can't seem to find the funds to let the kids who play the games for fun have a league. I guess there is more money in renting the fields out. If they eliminate the games for fun they can free the fields for the competitive teams.
jeffcitygirl 10 months, 2 weeks ago
Because those private leagues charge a small unaffordable fortune for some parents, the parks and rec leagues were even a bit too expensive for us, but much more affordable!
Gotigers 10 months, 2 weeks ago
Why would Parks and Rec rent out fields to their direct competition (BC baseball)? That is lunancy! Would McDonalds rent out their properties to Dairy Queen? Seriously.
The answer is simple-- I coached a few years in Parks and now my son is playing at BC-- Parks and Rec will not listen to suggestions or make any improvements that coaches ask for. Please look at the members of Mr. Lockwood's committee's and they are made up of people who have not had kids in the programs for many years (they are good people, but are not actively involved).
Gotigers 10 months, 2 weeks ago
My apologies for posting again but I am very disappointed in this decision.
A CHALLENGE TO PARKS AND REC ADMINSITRATION & COMM-- Please consider inviting current P &R coaches and Jefferson City BC coaches to a forum and ASK what they would like to see to keep the programs going. I would love for you to explain why you will not allow the very people who coach for you to have a voice.
I will never vote for another parks sales tax.
JCLifer 10 months, 2 weeks ago
Parks and rec programs for persons with special needs are very low quality. Staff are incompetent and have very poor customer service skills. Communications are very poor. For all the tax dollars that they get, this town should have first class programs, services, and facilities for recreation. Too bad so sad.
JCsleeper 10 months, 2 weeks ago
Sme leagues for young professionals might work.
Guitarman 10 months, 2 weeks ago
Did anyone read the attached Proposal for competitive baseball/softball, especially Field usage/Leases and the Pro/Cons for not having it in 2013? ARE YOU KIDDING ME!! Have they talked to the owners of the complex across the river about leasing their fields. They used to have boys competitive baseball and last year a Girls fastpitch league. With all the tax $$ the P&R receives why are they letting everything go to Columbia? If there are all these teams that are tired of driving to Col. why dont they contact Fields of Legends owners?
MizzouSammy 10 months, 1 week ago
Nothing competitive about their competitive league.
Sequoia 10 months, 1 week ago
I have a question about this. Is Parks and Rec eliminating all youth baseball leagues, or just "competitive" ones? Back in the day, Parks and Rec had a come-one-come-all youth league from T-ball up to 10th or 11th grade or something. It was not "competitive." The more competitive players tried out for Babe Ruth or American Legion leagues or something like that. Did the Parks and Rec start a new "competitive" league in addition to basic little league?
Is there still a basic, no-tryout, city-sponsored little league in Jeff City or not?
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