Emmitsburg approves conversion of Field 1 for Catoctin Football Club

The Emmitsburg Board of Commissioners voted 5–0 Feb. 3 to approve a proposal by Catoctin Football Club to convert Memorial Park’s Field 1 from a baseball diamond to a soccer field, with conditions that the club coordinate construction with town staff and assume the cost to convert the field back to baseball if the club later leaves.

David Ventura, coach and director of the club, told the board the organization would “absorb the cost to convert the baseball field into a soccer field,” and said the club’s registration growth — up about 70% on day one of the current registration compared with the fall — drove the request. Ventura said the club would be willing to use other town fields if necessary but that Field 1 would meet needs for the coming season.

Town staff said they had contacted existing baseball leagues and tournament organizers and that those groups indicated they could adapt without Field 1. The town’s scheduling staff confirmed other park fields would still allow the town to host baseball tournaments and regular play.

During discussion, commissioners asked whether the club would return the field to baseball should the club depart; Ventura said the club would absorb that expense. Commissioners also asked that construction be coordinated with town staff to minimize conflicts with scheduled events.

The motion to approve the proposal, including coordination with staff and a requirement that the club restore the field if it leaves, was seconded and carried unanimously.

Next steps: staff will coordinate construction timing with the club and update field schedules and reservation details.