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Kinston parks commission approves youth softball rule tweaks, sets room and gym fees, and lists spring events
Summary
At its April 14 meeting, the Kinston/Lenoir County Parks & Recreation Commission unanimously approved two 10U girls softball rule changes, established $50/hour small room rental fees and a $125 practice fee for non‑Recreation teams, and highlighted several spring community events; staff announced a longtime employee’s retirement effective July 1.
The Kinston/Lenoir County Parks & Recreation Commission met April 14 at the Kinston Community Center and approved several operational changes affecting youth sports and facility rentals.
Scott Alston, a staff member for the Parks & Recreation Department, told the commission that athletic staff recommended aligning 10U girls softball rules with the 12U rules. The commission unanimously approved an adjustment to the base‑stealing regulation and separately approved a change to the pitching rule so that a coach will not pitch until a team has recorded four walked batters in a single inning (both motions passed unanimously). The motions were presented and carried without recorded opposition.
The commission also approved weekday rental fees for small meeting rooms at Holloway Center, Fairfield Center, and Lovit Hines, setting the rate at $50 per hour with a two‑hour maximum. The change responds to multiple requests for small meeting‑room reservations.
To accommodate AAU and other non‑Recreation basketball teams, the commission set specific gym availability and a uniform practice fee of $125 for a maximum of two hours. Approved facility times are Holloway Gym 7–9 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; Fairfield Gym 7–9 p.m. Wednesdays–Fridays; and Martin C. Freeman Gym 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Alston reported that baseball and T‑ball seasons have started and summer programs will open for registration soon. He said stone damage at Emma Webb Park will be repaired and staff plan an opening ceremony once repairs are complete. The department also announced an Earth Day Celebration at Ellis Planetarium on April 25 and Day in the Park at Bill Fay Park on May 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sue Ellen Maddux, a commission member, said the department should increase its social media presence to promote programs and events. Maddux also noted a Fairfield Through the Years family fun day planned for May 3.
Alston announced that Bryan Dawson, County Program Supervisor, will retire July 1 after nearly 30 years of service.
All formal motions recorded in the minutes passed by unanimous vote; individual roll‑call tallies were not specified in the meeting record.
Votes at a glance: - Approve March 12, 2026 minutes (Motion: Jonathan Britt; Second: Roger Jones) — approved, unanimous. - Adjust 10U girls softball base‑stealing rule to match 12U — approved (Motion: Mary Margaret Keith; Second: Sue Ellen Maddux) — approved, unanimous. - Change 10U girls pitching trigger to four walked batters per inning — approved (Motion: Clifton Hargett; Second: Jeremy Jones) — approved, unanimous. - Set $50/hour weekday rental for Holloway game room, Fairfield aerobics room, and Lovit Hines (two‑hour max) — approved (Motion: Sue Ellen Maddux; Second: Clifton Hargett) — approved, unanimous. - Approve gym schedule and $125 two‑hour practice fee for non‑Recreation teams — approved (Motion: Sue Ellen Maddux; Second: Clifton Hargett) — approved, unanimous.
The commission adjourned after the business was completed. The minutes are signed by Melissa McCoy, secretary to the commission.
