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Parents and coaches urge PVUSD to restore Nancy Lane fields to community baseball league
Summary
A group of parents and volunteer coaches representing a new nonprofit youth baseball and softball program asked the Paradise Valley board to return use of Nancy Lane fields to Shadow Mountain Area Sports Home (SMASH), saying the league serves 250 children and that leaving the fields empty harms community opportunities.
Several parents and volunteer coaches on Thursday urged the Paradise Valley Unified School District governing board to make the Nancy Lane and Shea Middle School fields available to Shadow Mountain Area Sports Home (SMASH), a community nonprofit that says it serves more than 250 participants.
Speakers described SMASH as a community organization formed after Shadow Mountain Little League dissolved; they said the new league is up 25% in registrations and seeks local fields to avoid sending players outside the immediate neighborhood. "This baseball and softball league is an extension of that incredible community," said Jake Anderson, a volunteer coach and parent. "We hope that the board PVUSD will help support us in regaining those fields so that we can continue to play."
Other speakers described logistical hardship caused by losing local fields: longer drives to Scottsdale and fewer opportunities for low-cost participation. Ashley Stokes, SMASH secretary and registrar, said the organization has taken in more than $30,000 in registration fees and paid the district $6,700 in 2023 and $13,500 in 2024 for field use. The group said it is prepared to rent the fields and to support field improvements, and said an offer of capital assistance from the Arizona Diamondbacks has been discussed.
Speakers asked the board to exercise its facility-use discretion. "According to your own facility use agreement, you have sole discretion over the field rentals," Stokes said. "We hope you will use that discretion and do what the community wants."
Board members did not take immediate action during the public-comment period. Staff and board members acknowledged the public presentations and indicated facility-use policy and scheduling considerations will be reviewed.
SMASH representatives requested access to Nancy Lane and Shea Middle School fields so teams can practice and host games in the community rather than traveling to other cities.
The board's next steps were not spelled out on the record; SMASH speakers said they are prepared to rent fields and to work with the district on logistics and scheduling.
