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Youth leagues press Clermont for faster field repairs, cite safety and scheduling impacts
Summary
League leaders from Little League and girls fastpitch told the council that poor maintenance of ballfields — damaged mounds, holes and inconsistent repairs — is forcing schedule changes, reducing tournament opportunities and risking player safety; parks staff said crews respond to requests but budget and contractual limits constrain work.
Multiple youth‑league leaders told the City Council on June 18 that field maintenance problems are creating safety risks and scheduling headaches across Clermont parks.
Herman Van Bogart, representing Southlake Little League, said the league has grown from about 250 families to roughly 425 families and described recurring issues: pitching‑mound rubber exposed or displaced, holes in infields and outfields, and fast wear during the busy spring season. "We have 425 families... we're growing, we're bursting at the seams," Van Bogart said, urging more prompt repairs or a stronger maintenance schedule.
Adam Narvaez, president of the Clermont Girls Fastpitch league, described how late field readiness can make the league ineligible for interleague All‑Star competitions and asked whether leagues could contribute funds or schedule adjustments to reduce delays. Staff said the city’s field crew responds to urgent requests and that staff and league leaders will explore practical options, including potential insurance or volunteer agreements and the use of materials that require less routine rework.
Parks staff and some councilmembers suggested near‑term improvements that could be budgeted for FY‑27 (e.g., upgraded materials for pitching mounds, targeted turf/infield resurfacing at priority fields, and faster crew response for immediate safety hazards). Several speakers also offered partnership ideas: leagues willing to co‑fund certain repairs or provide volunteer labor if liability and insurance concerns are addressed.
No formal budget decision was made; council directed staff to present a prioritized list of field maintenance and small capital items to fit into the upcoming FY‑27 budget discussions.
