DYSA proposes batting cages at Community Park; staff says project will follow city permit review

At the Jan. 15 meeting of the Recreation and Parks Commission, department staff described a proposal from the Davis Youth Softball Association to build two gated batting cages at Community Park near the right-field line, and DYSA representatives said the project would be funded and constructed by DYSA and follow city permitting requirements.

Staff said the cages would be located in a grassy strip between the pool and the right-field fence and would be placed on a concrete slab to limit encroachment into open areas. "PCS staff have evaluated the proposal and anticipate no significant impacts to the park, and the department fully supports the project," a Parks and Community Services staff member said.

Chris Sinclair, identified at the meeting as DYSA president, said the cages are intended to increase equitable practice opportunities for girls and high-school players. "This is the next step in providing some equity between DYSA and Davis Little League," Sinclair said, citing a lack of similar amenities on the softball side and noting more than 300 girls in the spring recreational program plus competitive and high-school players who would use the cages.

DYSA described a plan for two 18-foot-by-50-foot cages positioned parallel to the right-field fence, rather than a single wider cage, to reduce the project footprint. The association said the structure would be enclosed with cyclone-style fencing to deter vandalism, gated when not in use, and would sit on a concrete slab where grass currently exists. DYSA also said it will investigate access to electricity at the site (used for pitching machines or other equipment) as the project advances.

Commissioners asked about circulation, impacts to other park users, vandalism and security, and whether high-school teams already use the adjacent field. Sinclair said the junior-varsity high-school team currently has an MOU allowing weekday evening use of the field and that the cages would expand safe practice opportunities during winter months when daylight is limited.

Staff and DYSA representatives said they expect to present the proposal to the City Council next Tuesday for approval of the project to proceed through the city's standard permitting and construction-review process. The commission did not take a vote on the DYSA proposal; the presentation was informational and there were no public comments during that item.

Votes at the meeting did occur on procedural items earlier in the agenda: the commission approved the meeting agenda and later approved the consent calendar, both by 5–0 tallies (motions recorded; individual votes not named on the transcript).

If City Council approves the proposal, DYSA representatives said they hoped to begin construction in spring to make the cages available for the spring season and scheduled practices.