Photosfromtheair.com
The baseball field in Holmes Beach as seen from the air.
HOLMES BEACH – Commissioners gave Human Resources Analyst Mary Buonagura approval to pursue grants to fund improvements to the city’s baseball field in order to host Little League tournaments.
“It’s a great opportunity to attract families,” Buonagura pointed out. “The mothers could shop, the dads and kids could play and the whole family would stay in our motels and eat in our restaurants.”
The request came from Holmes Beach resident Andy Proctor, who said enhancements would include adding sod, a moveable pitcher’s mound and artificial turf covers for the base paths, as well as batting cages/pitcher warm up area, a shell walkway from the bleachers to the restrooms and other improvement at a cost of about $25,000.
Proctor said Manatee West Hurricanes Baseball plans to schedule 10 tournaments annually between Sept. 1 and Dec. 1, with an economic impact of at least $18,000 per event.
Buonagura, who said the home teams could use the field for practice in between tournaments, said she met with public works employees who like the idea, but had questions regarding equipment storage and electric for the scoreboard.
Commission comments
Commissioner Jean Peelen questioned the proposal asking, “Who are the teams and where do they come from?” and stating that baseball is losing popularity as a sport.
“I can’t imagine us spending $25,000 to get the baseball field in use without some guarantees, and there’s no provision for upkeep of the field. I’m not impressed.”
However, Chair Judy Titsworth disagreed and said, “I believe in baseball and Little League. Travel baseball is huge. What better way to bring the community back.”
Commissioner David Zaccagnino agreed with Titsworth and pointed out, “The Community Center doesn’t have Little League because it’s too expensive.”
“We have to look at our future; let’s not run the children away,” Commissioner Pat Morton added.
Commissioner Marvin Grossman asked who would maintain the field, and Buonagura said public works employees currently maintain it, and they said it wouldn’t be any greater than it is now.
“I think it’s a travesty to have a field we’re not using,” Mayor Carmel Monti exclaimed. “We should make every effort to do this through grants and trying to get some of the concession money. I’m all for doing this without city money.”
Zaccagnino said they also should make a proposal for funding to the Manatee County Tourist Development Council.