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Hutto staff proposes objective field-playability SOP after spring rains
Summary
Parks staff presented playability criteria including visible standing water and a 0.5-inch footprint threshold and urged automatic closures for National Weather Service warnings after high spring rainfall that left fields saturated.
During the June 4 work session, City of Hutto Parks staff urged the council to adopt an objective field-playability standard to reduce injury risk and clarify closure decisions.
"The criteria that is outlined in this is visible standing water, footprint depth of greater than 0.5 inch..." Scott said, describing the proposed SOP that would include a 'squish' test and automatic closure triggers for National Weather Service severe-weather warnings. He backed the recommendation with seasonal measurements: "In 2026, year to date, we've had 18.15 inches of rain," he said, noting the long-term average of about 14 inches and a May 20 event that left 2.32 inches of rain two days before a staff photo showed saturated infields.
Council members broadly supported establishing objective criteria. Staff said drying agents would be used only sparingly (tournaments or opening-day situations) because overuse can bind soils and impair drainage. The council directed staff to include these criteria in the contract amendment and to pilot the SOP with HYBSA volunteers under staff training and monthly walk-throughs.
