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-2— <br /> I would ask the Council and Commission to consider the field use policy for <br /> the City of Mounds View. The City must decide whether parks are indeed <br /> • intended for resident use or if a policy needs to be made describing use <br /> criteria for each park site facility. Should the Park and Recreation <br /> Department have the authoirty to deny use of fields by residents and/or <br /> teams? These are policy decisions which need to be addressed if Mr. Kops <br /> • <br /> request is to be considered. <br /> In this particular situation, former Director Bruce Anderson attempted to <br /> remedy the problem by placing the homeplate further towards the backstop. An <br /> attempt to reserve only t—ball or youth softball teams was made, but since <br /> this makes up only ten teams of the 98 City teams, the demand for use is <br /> great. Most coaches are very careful to choose a field which matches his/her <br /> team's abilities. For example, adult kittenball teams and youth softball and <br /> baseball teams are certainly well matched for Oakwood field. Longer hitting <br /> teams may use the field for infield practice and fly ball practice and forego <br /> the hitting. <br /> When observing Oakwood Park, right field foul balls or first base over—throws <br /> are understandable. However, it is infrequent that youth baseball or adult <br /> softball players hit foul tips that travel back beyond the backstop. <br /> Unfortunately, the Park and Recreation Department does not have budgeted <br /> funds to purchase a deluxe backstop such as the one at Greenfield Park. <br /> Greenfield Park field is used by 14 — 16 year old baseball players who have <br /> the ability for hitting such foul tips. These players would not and have not <br /> requested Oakwood field because Oakwood does not match their needs. <br /> • • It is my opinion that the Park and Recreation Department does not have the <br /> right to deny use of a field by resident or league teams. It is the Park and <br /> Recreation Department 's experience that teams use fields to their own ability <br /> and usefulness. Foul balls occur at Oakwood Park, I am sure, but the <br /> severity of the situation does not warrant, in my estimation, the denial of <br /> use by teams. <br /> MS/sl <br /> • <br />