IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. is on the verge of a significant change as new baseball fields are set to open soon at Jennings Park. This development has implications for the local youth recreational baseball program, the Babe Ruth Association. Tim Pope, a board member of the Babe Ruth Association, revealed that the nonprofit league donated 19 acres of the property in 2015, and the county subsequently purchased an additional 46 acres adjacent to it.

"The Future of Youth Baseball in Iredell County at a Crossroads"

Donation and Initial Deal

The Babe Ruth Association's donation was intended to provide the community with a place to play ball while keeping the cost relatively low through a registration fee. However, county officials made a deal with the league to allow kids to play for free until the park was remodeled. But, as Pope pointed out, this deal did not materialize. Construction is now in progress, and parents are facing the prospect of additional fees.

Parents like Zack Smith understand the importance of these fields for their children. "Obviously, we would try to do what we can, because the kids are wanting to play. Not every family in the community is going to be able to do that," he said.

Cost Implications for the League

The Iredell County manager announced that the league will be charged $5,000 for the spring season. If lights are required, an additional $1,000 to $1,200 will be added to the bill. The league will then divide this total cost among the number of kids who play. Sign-ups for the 13 youth associates across the county do not start until January, so the exact number of kids is still unknown.

This poses a challenge for the league and the families involved. As Pope said, "We have figured up with what the counties want to charge for the field usage and everything that the cost is probably going to go up."

Parents' Concerns and County's Response

During Tuesday night's Iredell County commissioners' meeting, some families voiced their concerns about the potential increase in costs. Commissioners acknowledged these concerns and said they would continue to look at the cost and see if adjustments could be made.

Residents emphasized that it is not about them but about providing a place for the kids to go and play. Pope reiterated, "It's about somewhere for those kids to go and play and have something to do."

The park is scheduled to open in spring 2025, and the community will be watching closely to see how these issues are resolved.