Parent tells board Yulee High baseball field is unsafe and requests repairs

At the March board meeting a parent, Carrie Jones of Yulee, urged the board to repair and upgrade the Yulee High School baseball field, saying the current conditions create safety and operational problems for athletes and volunteers.

Jones told the board the field serves middle school, junior varsity and varsity teams out of a single field and listed specific problems: torn batting-cage nets with holes; the field tractor (a four-wheeler) was stolen last season and coaches are using a golf cart that damages the infield; the equipment shed installed in February 2006 has a door that does not close; the concession “trailer” donated in 2006 lacks heating and cooling and trips a breaker if heavy equipment is used; there is limited nearby restroom access for players and fans; and there is no locker room beyond player cars or dugouts. Jones said she and the booster club have renderings from February 2012 and that the booster club plans two fundraisers (a tournament and pancake breakfast) but cannot do the repairs alone. She invited board members to inspect the field and attend games.

Board members responded by offering contact information and saying they would work with boosters and facilities staff. Board members expressed appreciation for the booster club’s activity and offered to coordinate site visits; one board member said staff from facilities were already working with the team’s coach. Jones concluded by asking the board for leadership and assistance to make the field safer and more suitable for athletes.

The remarks were made during the public-comment portion of the meeting; no formal action on facilities or capital funding was taken at the meeting.