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Residents, coaches urge Scottsbluff schools to add high school baseball
Summary
Multiple public commenters, including parents, a youth‑club president and the high‑school football coach, urged the Scottsbluff Public Schools board to approve a high‑school baseball program, arguing it would expand opportunities and reduce costs for some families while prompting questions about classification and travel impacts.
Public comments at the start of the meeting centered on a push to establish a high‑school baseball program for Scottsbluff High School. Michael Young, who addressed the board during the public‑comment period, said community support is strong and that neighboring districts such as North Platte have expressed willingness to partner on scheduling. "Your willingness to consider this opportunity means a great deal to me, but to the community as a whole and to a bunch of kids sitting back there," Young said.
Jeremy Becker, who identified himself as president of the 23 Club, told the board that a high‑school program could lower costs for families who currently rely on summer Legion ball or travel programs: "...high school baseball would be an avenue to where he could keep playing, as he ages out of the 23 club..." Becker described scholarship assistance the 23 Club provides and said many families could benefit if a school program existed.
Judd Hall, who introduced himself as a taxpayer, teacher and Scottsbluff Public Schools head football coach, voiced both support and caution. Hall said current male enrollment figures (418 boys cited) are close to the Class‑A threshold discussed for classification, and warned that moving into Class A would substantially increase travel times and overnight trips: "So just 6 shy of that number where we would have to compete in class a... Our Friday trips are extremely long after that." He said he supports more opportunities for students but urged the board to consider the football program's scheduling and travel implications.
A leader of the Legion program described local facilities, offseason routines and how a school season might interact with summer play, saying the community's turf, lights and indoor facilities could support integration of a high‑school schedule. Board members thanked the speakers, noted the input will inform future discussions and moved on to the evening's formal agenda. The board did not take an immediate vote on establishing a baseball program during this meeting.
