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Parent urges upgrades to Livingston Academy softball facilities; board pledges review
Summary
A parent and middle-school coach told the Overton County Board of Education the district's Livingston Academy softball field is undersized and unsafe; the board said it will research fixes, possible grants and maintenance options and return the item to work sessions.
Bubba Reams, a parent and middle school softball coach, asked the Overton County Board of Education on March 11 to approve upgrades to the Livingston Academy (LA) softball field, saying the program lacks equitable facilities compared with other sports programs.
Reams told the board the current field is essentially a baseball facility shared by four programs'high school baseball, middle school baseball, high school softball and middle school softball'and that scheduling, small dugouts and a deteriorating backstop and fence limit practice time and create safety risks. "Our girls at LA, they deserve to have the opportunity just like our boys do," Reams said.
The request included specific, rough cost estimates Reams obtained: a 40-by-60 indoor practice building with concrete floor at about $50,000; a concrete wall from dugout to dugout about three feet high for roughly $4,000; and backstop netting at about $1,700. He also said dugouts are small enough that 10 players and their equipment barely fit and that concession facilities lack hot water.
Reams described site constraints that could affect construction, including septic location near the locker room and the field'and said that adding an indoor facility would require batting cages and electrical work. He also cited Title IX in arguing for equitable indoor practice space for girls.
Board members and administrators responded that they would research options, contact maintenance and coaches, and return findings to a future work session. A board member told Reams the district would communicate with administration and coaches and "go from there"; another member said maintenance and volunteer trades previously discussed building dugout walls and that the district'or outside contractors'could cover materials. Board members also requested more information about grants and possible district funding support.
Board members flagged one immediate safety concern: a leaning, rusted section of fence and windbreak that should be fixed before the softball season begins. The board said it would explore short-term repairs while staff research longer-term improvements.
No formal motion or vote was taken. Board members said they would present findings at a future work session, aim to begin planning for projects in the next school year and keep Reams and coaches informed.
Reams provided photos and asked the community to attend games and support the program; the board said it will follow up with maintenance staff and the district's grant writer.
