Residents ask commissioners to help fund batting cage at Tam O'Shanter to boost youth sports and tourism

Several residents told the Board of County Commissioners they are seeking county help to fund a year‑round batting cage at Tam O'Shanter sports complex, telling commissioners the facility could both improve youth sports development and drive regional tourism.

Jim Hill, a longtime community volunteer, told the board a single batting cage could allow the complex to attract regional and national tournament teams and increase local tourism and hotel stays. "A batting cage is not just for skilled development, gentlemen. That facility means that we can reach out to national organizations and bring kids here to play baseball and softball," Hill said. He estimated the project would cost "slightly over $200,000" and said volunteers and local contractors would contribute sweat equity to the build.

Kelly White, another community member and former coach, described current scheduling constraints and said limited existing batting‑cage space forces teams to practice late at night. Commissioners acknowledged the potential economic benefits and said they would look into options with state grant programs and the county public facilities district. One commissioner noted the project might be a logical "piggyback" with planned fairgrounds sports‑complex improvements in the public facilities district capital plan.

No formal county funding decision or motion was made at the meeting; commissioners expressed support and said staff and relevant partners could explore funding opportunities and potential partnerships with the Port of Longview, the state and the Cowlitz County Public Facilities District.

Endnote: residents asked the county to consider workshops or briefings where sports groups could present detailed plans and a fundraising strategy.