Atlantic Beach commission sides with youth baseball over Sunday restrictions, approves open Sunday play

Atlantic Beach’s City Commission voted 4–1 on Feb. 23 to approve an agreement that leaves Sunday play at Jack Russell Park unrestricted, rejecting staff’s recommendation to prohibit visiting travel or all‑star teams before 1:30 p.m.

The dispute centered on competing uses of limited park space: the Atlantic Beach Athletic Association (ABAA) runs youth baseball that sometimes schedules all‑star games and travel opponents on Sundays, while the Jack Russell Farmers Market occupies the site from midmorning into the afternoon. ABAA President Kelly Hampton told the commission the all‑star program uses Sundays sparingly and that early availability is important to allow teams to host inter‑club games and provide development opportunities for players.

“Those all‑star kids need that time to play and measure up against other teams,” Hampton said. Pastor Nathan Lowen, who also serves as ABAA vice president, urged flexibility and warned that repeating the contract disputes of prior years would harm community partnerships. City Manager Kevin Hogancamp told commissioners staff had prepared three options — the staff recommendation (limited Sunday play), no restriction, or a hybrid — and that operational changes to the farmers market could reduce conflicts.

Commissioners who supported open Sunday play emphasized ABAA’s role as a volunteer youth program and the limited number of early‑Sunday games during the spring season. Commissioner Grant said ABAA “provides much more to this community in service of our young folks” and urged staff to continue negotiating logistics with market managers. Commissioner Ring moved, and Commissioner Grant seconded, an amendment adopting option 2 (no restriction).

Commissioner Kelly cast the lone dissent, citing ongoing congestion at Jack Russell and the farmers market’s growth and popularity. The measure passed with four ayes and one nay. Mayor Ford said staff will proceed with administering the ABAA agreement and continue work on a revised farmers‑market operating plan and a forthcoming market RFP to address long‑term parking and vendor management.

Next steps: staff will finalize the ABAA rental agreement as approved and continue working on a market operations RFP that may propose vendor limits, vendor siting, and alternatives such as moving the market to other parks if necessary.