Brookfield committee green-lights infield 'skinning' and finishing fence at Eller Park Field 4; 70-foot base decision deferred

The Village of Brookfield Committee of the Whole on Monday agreed to let Brookfield Little League proceed with work to convert the grassy infield at Eller Park Field 4 to a skinned (limestone) surface and to complete the remaining fencing, while deferring a decision on installing 70-foot base posts for older divisions.

Parks and recreation director Luke Gunderson summarized the plan, saying the conversion would create a multiuse infield, improve drainage and meet the minimum home-plate-to-outfield distance for intermediate Little League play. “It’s 200 feet from home plate to the outfield, which indicates that it meets that requirement,” Gunderson said.

Brookfield Little League representatives described program benefits. Kevin Jaworski, introduced to the board as the league’s vice president of field maintenance, said finishing the fence would better accommodate the Challenger adaptive program and allow girls’ softball to use the field. Christine Ramirez, vice president of the Challenger program, said participation has grown to 32 players this year and that enclosing the field is important for safety: “To be able to actually let them play on a real field and feel like…they’re playing an actual game, is the ideal situation.”

Several trustees raised safety concerns about adding 70-foot base posts, which would allow older and intermediate players to use the field. Board members said longer base distances mean hitters could drive balls farther into adjacent amenities, including a skate park and concert areas. President Garvey recalled past concerns at Overholt Field where youth hits reached buildings and nearby concert groups.

On procurement, staff said bids exist for the skinned infield work but that fencing quotes remain outstanding. The Little League offered to cover fencing costs; staff advised obtaining multiple fencing proposals and indicated the village may waive formal competitive bidding for a specialized field contractor if appropriate.

Rather than a formal vote, the board registered a clear consensus: authorize staff to work with Little League and the village attorney to move forward with the infield skinning and to solicit fencing proposals, with Little League bearing fencing costs, and revisit the question of 70-foot base posts at a future meeting in about two weeks.

Next steps include finalizing vendor selection for the skinning work, obtaining at least three quotes for fencing, and returning to the board to decide whether to add 70-foot base anchors. Work was described as feasible this fall, which staff said would allow new infield materials to settle over winter before heavy spring use.