SOUTH BEND - After getting the go-ahead to add baseball and fastpitch softball for student-athletes by the South Bend School District Board of Directors by a 4 to 1 vote two weeks ago, the wheels are turning to get the program in full swing. Discussions have started with city officials.
"Currently, we are in talks with the Mayor of South Bend (Julie Struck) and city supervisor (Dennis Houk) about a long-term lease arrangement for Cheney Park," South Bend Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jon Tienhaara told the Herald. "This is where we desire to build the field. We are developing a draft agreement that will eventually be taken to both the city counsel and school board for approval.
"The district has been working with representatives from Field Turf in determining options for the field as well as costs. We are awaiting soil sample test results as well as an elevation survey, which should be completed in a few days. These two components will help determine the type of preparation needed in constructing the field.
"Another component we are exploring is building an indoor batting cage," Tienhaara continued. "We are looking into the option of constructing a metal pole building capable of housing multiple pitching machines for both baseball and fastpitch batting practice, as well as indoor pitching.
"We are also about to advertise for coaches. The district will solicit interest in-house first to determine if coaching needs can be met with current staff members. We will then go out to the community to fill any additional coaching needs. We will be surveying students as soon as school starts to get a firm idea of who is interested in playing on the teams."
People have already inquired about coaching positions.
"We have had multiple people from the community wanting to help coach, volunteer, and just help out where needed," Tienhaara said. "We have also had people on staff step forward with interest in coaching. I think it is neat to see people come up and offer to help with this program. (It) goes to show you how the program is valued and how people care about the opportunities we provide our students here in South Bend."
Still needed is a committee to steer everything in a coordinated direction.
"As soon as we get coaches hired we will be able to have 'boots on the ground' so-to- speak to start implementing many of the logistical details needed moving forward. District administration, however, has been carefully moving forward in organizing capital improvements and finances needed for the field, etcetera. Part of this planning includes working and collaborating with the city of South Bend, as well as eventual construction contractors and volunteers."
Work on the field won't begin until next spring.
"We are moving forward as fast, but as careful as possible," Tienhaara said. "We have important considerations and we want to be sure we progress efficiently and adequately. With that, we do not have a firm timeline on when construction will begin. The board just authorized administration to begin planning and exploring construction logistics. Ideally, we hope to begin late Spring of 2017 dependent on weather."
It is "not likely" that a field will be in South Bend for the 2017 season Tienhaara said, adding, "Weather is a big consideration when moving dirt in this area. We want to be sure we are able to build a quality product that is well planned and functional."
Grants will be applied for in order to help defray costs?
"We have already been looking at potential grants," Tienhaara said. "Now that the board has approved us moving forward with baseball and fastpitch, we feel grant foundations will want to partner with us to make this happen for our community."
The school district will need money for the field renovation, synthetic turf, equipment, uniforms, coaches, etc.
"Not including the field or batting cage, we are estimating approximately $34,000," Tienhaara said. "This includes coaches, start-up, equipment and supplies, uniforms, umpire costs and transportation for both programs. That being said, we have already had a donor (just last week) step forward and offer to fund uniforms for both boys and girls teams, which is a very generous yet significant contribution. We have other leads currently in the works of organizations willing to supply equipment. At the end of the day, I don't expect the initial start-up costs to be anywhere near the $34k. I am amazed at the generosity and support from people and organizations wanting to see high school baseball and softball here in the community. We are still collecting information for the costs of the field renovation. Synthetic turf is not cheap. It will be a joint effort of funding partners to help make that happen."
Fundraisers will be put in place to support the programs.
"We are still in the planning stages and discussions of fundraisers are just now getting started," Tienhaara said. "We just (last year) had the South Bend High School Booster Club start up. I can imagine they will be willing to support all our athletic programs. I have also had community people approach me on the idea of organizing a baseball/softball booster type organization. Just like all school athletics, I see this initiative as a community effort. South Bend and the surrounding areas have a lot of hard-working, determined people who want what's best for kids. They see high school ball as an opportunity for our older kids to be involved with a great sport that is very popular and well organized at the younger community team level. I think we will have, as we are already seeing, people stepping forward to help out in any way they can. It is great to live in a community with such caring support of students."
Who is in charge of getting everything accomplished?
"Well, I guess at the end of the day the superintendent is ultimately responsible, as the board has directed me to move forward," Tienhaara said. "That being said, South Bend School District is fortunate to have very competent people who will be working to make sure we accomplish a program that is good for kids. From our athletic director, principals and staff, to our maintenance department, we have people who work together and support our goal of building good programs. The other benefit is having a well-run and supportive school board and supportive community.
"We have one vision and one end goal, to develop a quality program where students can play ball," Tienhaara added. "When people in an organization and community work together, good things are accomplished."
A lot of volunteers have stepped up to lend more than a helping hand.
"I have had people come in and volunteer to help with labor and equipment, including dirt moving equipment and prep work," Tienhaara said. "Again, South Bend and the surrounding area has a lot of people willing to help with projects that benefit kids. As soon as we get the construction plans finalized, we will organize specific people willing to help with the project. Based on what I have seen, there seems to be a lot of people wanting to be a part of this project, and to help in any way they can."
Currently, the blueprint is to have one field for both sports.
"At this point conversations have centered on a dual purpose field, mainly because synthetic turf is an expensive product," Tienhaara said. "There are different options to consider with regards to the baseball mound, and we have seen other synthetic turf parks with different setups. As we move forward we will develop a plan that serves both programs with the best possible function."
If it could be worked out, South Bend might be able to play a handful of games at the Riverdale ballpark in 2017.
"We have not had any official conversation with the organization that runs those fields, and we are sensitive to their current needs," Tienhaara said. "If that was an option, we would certainly be willing to talk to them about an arrangement that could accommodate some games. Again, the Willapa Harbor Baseball Association is another example of a great program for kids, and I am sure they have a lot to juggle with limited fields. We would want to ensure their needs are fully met. That being said, we would be willing to explore potential arrangements that could help both them and us. I know we would be willing to help out with fields when ours come on-line."
There's virtually no chance that SBHS would merge with Raymond the way Pe Ell and Willapa Valley did?
"You know, I expected to get this question from a lot of people, but what I am primarily hearing is a desire for South Bend to have and host our own program," Tienhaara said. "We have a great relationship with both Raymond and Willapa Valley...I think all of our schools and communities work together to provide for kids. We have talked to a lot of people from different schools who have done combined athletic programs and there are definitely two sides to the issue, both positive aspects and challenges. At this time, I feel confident the community and board desire South Bend to remain independent for baseball and fastpitch. We want to remain in the Pacific 2B League, for one, and combining may not allow that to happen."
Through the grapevine it is known that many student-athletes have shown an interest in the two programs.
"We won't have hard numbers until after school starts, but I am told we have a lot of kids excited to play," Tienhaara said. "Personally, I have had a lot of kids approach me out in the community asking about it, almost as if they don't yet believe this is happening. When I assure them that, yes, this is now happening, they all have an excited reaction. This really doesn't surprise me at all. If you look at the success and participation of all the younger community teams, we definitely have kids that play the sport. As we develop the high school program, I see more and more interest coming."
There's a good possibility that baseball and softball will pretty much bring down the numbers in the the track and field program.
"It is not anyone's intent to negatively impact any of our athletic programs," Tienhaara said. "Will some kids who have participated in track in the past play baseball (and) softball instead? Perhaps. I think we would be unrealistic if we didn't think that will happen with some kids. However, the opportunities in track are not going anywhere. We will still have a track program and kids that want those opportunities will still have them. Looking at the numbers, about 70 percent of our high school student population did not participate in spring athletics this last year. We are hoping baseball and fastpitch will provide more athletic opportunities for more kids who are otherwise not participating."
If they could possibly work it out, students could still participate in the local baseball and softball programs while playing for SBHS.
"In my experience as a former athletic director, I can think of students who participated in both club (and/or) community teams and school teams at the same time," Tienhaara said. "I think that decision is best made by the student and their parents in collaboration with the coaches. I have seen it work out great, and I have seen it be a challenge. In the end, we want to be sure our students are not taking on more than they can handle, and that the teams they are playing on don't also suffer."
In closing Tienhaara said, "We have a lot of hope that bringing high school baseball and fastpitch to South Bend will provide a needed and desired team sport many students have been eager to play at the high school level," Tienhaara said. "The decision was made with kids in mind, and we feel the time is now to move forward and make this happen.
"Personally, I want to thank everyone in the community who has come forward offering help and assistance," Tienhaara continued. "School programs are not possible without the community. If anyone wants to help with this project, has ideas, or wants to contribute toward this cause they can contact any of our school offices and someone will point them in the right direction.
"Above all, we want quality opportunities for students," Tienhaara added. "We think this is a right step in the right direction in continuing to achieve that goal for kids at South Bend."
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