Parents, coaches urge La Canada Unified to back Parks & Rec denial of AYSO permits, citing safety and field damage

Dozens of parents, student athletes and coaches pressed the La Canada Unified School District governing board on March 25 to back a recent unanimous Parks and Recreation Commission decision that denied AYSO Region 13 fall permit access to La Canada High School's varsity baseball and softball outfields.

Speakers described recurring wear patterns, reported injuries and urged the district to tell city leaders the fields should remain reserved for baseball and softball. "Allowing permits for AYSO and other soccer organizations to trample on and tear up the high school baseball and softball grass fields disregards the health and safety of our student athletes," said Miss Spell, who addressed the board during public comment.

Supporters said the damage is visible and recurring each fall. "Every year they trample the grass into mud," said Dean Rocco, vice president of La Canada softball organizations. "Our kids play softball and baseball in outfields with uneven surfaces and bald spots. Kids are twisting their ankles. Kids are blowing out their knees. Kids are getting seriously hurt." Andrew Phillips, who identified himself in public comment as both a parent and a physician, warned about long-term consequences: "ACL injuries, knee injuries, and ankle injuries really are devastating. Even if there's one injury, that's something the kids will keep with them ... these injuries can last for a lifetime."

Student athletes described how field conditions affect practice and safety. "Our outfield is completely torn up, riddled with divots, unpack uneven patches, and bare spots," said Victoria Kelly, who identified herself as a sophomore and La Cañada varsity left fielder. "We shouldn't need to choose between playing our sport and staying safe. Please help us make the field a place where we can compete without fear of injury." Junior Leila Kazazian said poor drainage and holes mean rainy days create muddy, slippery conditions and cited recent incidents where players were injured by bad bounces.

Coaches and volunteers gave practical examples and photos. Tim Piper and others described aerial and on-site photos taken Dec. 17, 2024 showing clear wear patterns after the soccer season; Piper said AYSO routinely lists practice locations on its website, including practice outlines on the varsity baseball outfield. Tomas Hogan and other volunteers described spending dozens of hours and thousands of dollars on ad hoc field repairs to keep the turf playable.

AYSO representatives are appealing the Parks and Rec decision to deny permits. Several speakers asked the district to contact the city manager and city council to support the commission's decision. Board president and staff reminded the public that allocation of fields during the city's permit process is a city matter governed by the joint use agreement; the board does not directly decide city permit approvals. Superintendent Wendy Sennette and other staff noted a joint use committee meeting was scheduled April 17 to address related issues.

Coaches also sought to correct a misimpression about CIF rules. Travis Lovejoy, head softball coach, said the California Interscholastic Federation does not regulate field permits: "CIF rules do not address field use, field permits, who has the right to use fields in any season." He said CIF only limits off-season teams from representing the school in interscholastic competition, not community permits for practice.

Where it stands: the Parks and Rec Commission denied AYSO Region 13's fall permit application; AYSO has appealed; the city and its joint use committee will consider related issues on April 17. The governing board did not take formal action on the permit appeals during the March 25 meeting but heard extended public comment and was urged by multiple speakers to advocate to city leaders in support of the commission's safety-based denial.

Votes at a glance: none taken by the board during public comment on this item.

Community context and next steps: Speakers asked the district to advocate to the city that high school baseball and softball outfields be removed from joint-use permitting or otherwise restricted during the fall so maintenance and safety needs are met. The joint use committee meeting scheduled for April 17 and the city's appeal process are the next public forums on the dispute.