EDITORIAL: REKINDLE BALLFIELD DISCUSSION
One year ago, discussions were taking place in some circles in and around Freeman about the idea of improving the youth baseball and softball experience for what has been a robust Summer Recreation Program.
Specifically, a group of parents were interested in seeing two new ballfields constructed that could be used instead of, or in addition to, the one diamond north of Merchants State Bank Field across from the Swimming Pool Park. Several of those parents even approached the Freeman City Council seeking support and feedback, wondering if the undeveloped property on the northeast part of town could be used for the ballfields. That land is owned by the Freeman Community Development Corporation, which wants to develop both commercial and residential lots there.
But nothing ever came of it. Instead, another season of summer youth baseball and softball has come and gone, with all “home” games being played in Marion, where two ball diamonds can much better accommodate the number of teams and players suiting up for Freeman.
It’s too bad this community has fallen behind what many other neighboring towns have by way of ballfield facilities for their young teams, including Salem, which boasts one of the finest complexes you’ll find across small-town South Dakota (pictured).
Salem more-than-capably hosted the VFW 10u State Tournament last weekend and proved to be a prime example of what can be done when people work together. The ballfields are owned by the city of Salem, which annually allocates funds for maintenance, upkeep and ongoing improvements. The Salem Baseball Association is also heavily involved and works with the city to help make the youth ballfields the best they can be.
Just last week, in fact, the city approved an $80,000 project that saw an apron of concrete poured around portions of both ballfields — just in time for the state tournament. It fits in nicely with the preexisting concrete that helps make for a comfortable seating area underneath a canopy next to the concession stand, which is part of a larger building that also houses restroom facilities. All of it added up to a top-notch experience for players and fans coming into that community from 13 other communities.
There is no reason Freeman can’t have something similar so it, too, can host big tournaments (let alone home games).
Freeman, of course, has a city council. It also has a baseball association. It also has a summer recreation board that oversees the youth programs. It also has a development corporation whose interest is the long-term vitality of this town. Why can’t that include, not only developing residential and commercial lots, but also working together to create a better quality of life via youth athletics that might just be a draw to somebody looking to move here?
These four bodies all have their own agendas and own challenges to worry about, but there is no reason they can’t come together in the same room to have a discussion about improving the baseball and softball fields for our children to utilize. That part of it, at least, seems so simple.
Freeman has a long history of doing things the right way and getting things done when the time comes; look no further than our schools, our public library, our health care system, EMS team, our parks and our robust business climate.
Why can’t we do something to improve our youth ballfields — one of the most notable areas where this town is falling short.
What’s it going to take? Who is going to step up? Or will we continue to sell our children — and our community — short?
Jeremy Waltner, Editor & Publisher
