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Baseball boosters lay out upgrade plans for York Road fields; city flags parking, liability and staffing questions
Summary
The North Royalton Baseball Boosters presented plans to reconfigure and repair multiple York Road fields, propose a capital campaign and equipment upgrades, and raised parking and scheduling concerns; the committee referred facility decisions to the Recreation Board and removed the item from the Streets Committee agenda.
Michael Wright, president of the North Royalton Baseball Boosters, told the Streets Committee on July 1 that the group seeks upgrades at the York Road complex including new fencing, a walkway between fields 4 and 5, improved drainage and building repairs and that a bid opening is scheduled for July 18. “We could have one of the premiere baseball facilities in the county,” Wright said, urging a 1-, 3- and 5-year plan and outlining safety concerns caused by uneven infields and ledges.
Wright described a laser-leveling grading machine due for demonstration that he said would help relevel fields, address drainage problems and reduce hazards where players could trip. He said the boosters are willing to contribute volunteers and consider sponsorships or naming rights to raise funds; Wright provided a contact email: president@nrbaseball.com.
Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz and committee members said the Recreation Board will handle most facility recommendations and funds requests will come to Council if needed. The mayor noted restroom painting and minor upgrades already completed and said staffing limitations last winter left some maintenance backlogged. “Whether fully or partially staffed, there are ways to get the job done,” Antoskiewicz said, noting the city hires seasonal and part-time help and that the administration can advertise openings.
Committee members and Wright also discussed parking and circulation at the site. Wright said concurrent game start-and-stop times create congestion, and that some participants park on grass or in nearby business lots. He suggested reexamining the park’s bus stop layout and possible use of adjacent parcels to expand parking but acknowledged Fire and Police storage needs at a nearby building limit options. Law Director Tom Kelly said volunteer work on city property raises insurance and workers’ compensation questions and must be carefully structured; he said the law department can evaluate possible volunteer arrangements but emphasized potential liability and administrative complexity.
After discussion, Chair Joanne Krejci moved — and Vice Chair Mary Gorjanc seconded — to remove the York Road Fields topic from the Streets Committee agenda and have recommendations flow through the Recreation Board; the motion carried (Yeas 3, Nays 0). The committee noted the boosters’ proposals and the city’s need to balance volunteer help, paid seasonal staffing and insurance protections as next steps.
