Parents and players ask commission for more weekend softball games at Southgate Park

At the Feb. 13 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, South Gate parents and a player asked commissioners to increase weekend softball game opportunities at Southgate Park, saying the youth program had reduced game frequency from weekly to about once a month.

Angie, a parent of three girls on local teams, told commissioners that from June to December teams had played every weekend but now appear to play only one game per month. “I have them in reg ball... I try to keep them busy,” she said, and asked whether the commission could “look into that and see what can be done to bring in more games, maybe 2 weekends out of the month or 3.” She said practices run Tuesdays and Thursdays and that one player travels from Boyle Heights to participate.

Her daughter, Sofia, also spoke at the microphone and described what the games offer for skill development and exposure. “I really enjoy playing on the team… it helped me improve a lot,” Sofia said, adding that playing more games helps prepare athletes for high school competition.

Staff and commissioners said items not posted on the meeting agenda cannot be debated at the session, but staff encouraged parents to submit requests to the parks office so the issue could be placed on a future agenda. Commissioners asked staff to return with an explanation of current scheduling practices, constraints on tournament and game scheduling and any barriers—such as field lighting or cost—that affect weekend game availability.

Why it matters: youth sports scheduling affects families’ ability to participate, travel and retain players; commissioners said they would request more detail from staff and consider community feedback before any policy change.