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Organizers propose youth baseball complex at Veterans Field; trustees and residents raise scheduling, insurance and access questions
Summary
Local organizers presented a proposal to install a fenced youth baseball field at Veterans Field (Betts Park), estimating roughly $50,000–$70,000 for fencing and about $60,000 to build the field; trustees and residents discussed scheduling, community access and insurance.
Organizers of a youth baseball program presented a plan on Feb. 12 to install a fenced ballfield and related amenities at Veterans Field (Betts Park) in the Village of Wappingers Falls and asked the board for support and guidance on permits, scheduling and funding.
Matt Santas, who said he started a youth program that expanded from one team to three, told trustees the organizers formed a nonprofit and plan to raise funds and apply for a New York State recreation grant. Santas provided trustees with literature and a fencing quote that he said ranged between $50,000 and $70,000; he later referenced a figure of about $60,000 as a baseline cost to prepare and build the playing surface (excluding in-kind labor his company might provide).
Santas said the field would be designed for youth play (adjustable bases for ages 7–12), include two dugouts and a 25-foot backstop per standard backstop heights. He said his construction company could build dugouts and help with labor inside a fenced area; outside the fence, work would be the village's responsibility. Santas said teams participating in the Greater Hudson Valley league are required to carry insurance and he provided what he said was proof of insurance to village officials. "You cannot register a team without insurance," he told trustees.
Trustees and residents raised several concerns during discussion. Charles (Charlie) Ferry urged organizers to bring the proposal before the parks committee so committee members could evaluate the impact on existing users and open-space needs. Trustee Marshall and other speakers noted Veterans Field is a heavily used community space (volleyball, camps and informal recreation) and asked how much time the field would be reserved for scheduled games or regional teams. Residents worried that renting fields to out-of-area teams could limit local children’s access.
Organizers said their intent is to represent the village, hold local tryouts and keep registration fees low; Santas said fundraising and local sponsorships would help cut costs and reduce per-player fees. He added he had begun grant applications, including for turf options, which he said would increase upfront costs but reduce maintenance over time.
No permit or lease was approved at the meeting. Multiple trustees suggested Santas meet with the parks committee and village recreation staff to discuss scheduling, insurance, maintenance responsibilities, cost estimates and possible alternate locations (the boathouse area was mentioned as an option). Charlie (parks committee contact) said he would arrange a follow-up meeting between organizers and recreation/parks staff.
"We would be looking to do a lot of fundraising and be looking for some sort of help from you guys in some small shape or form," Santas told trustees. Trustees directed organizers to continue outreach and return with a parks-committee review and more detailed cost estimates.
Ending: The board did not make a permit or lease decision; organizers were asked to meet with the parks committee and provide detailed bids, proof of insurance documentation and a schedule for field use before any formal authorization.
