American Legion will not run local program this summer
Our recent warm weather and sunshine has a lot of people thinking about the summer. But this year there are some big changes for youth baseball in the Grand Traverse Region that will impact hundreds of kids, their parents and tax payers.
Some parents called us with questions, the answers are tonight's Fact Finder Report.
For the last decade, summertime has meant American Legion baseball for Nichole Witkop and her family with three of her children each taking a turn at bat.
She says, "They can't wait. They love it and can't imagine a summer with out it."
But over the last few seasons things started to change.
Witkop says, "It was unfortunate and very sad because we were happy with the program for so many years. It became an issue of 'these are our kids.' It couldn't continue the way that it had so we felt a change had to be made."
Jason Jones, Director of Grand Traverse Parks and Recreation says, "We had some citizens come to us at the end of the last baseball season and requested the county take over baseball for the community."
A recent vote by the county commission approved the plan. Now Grand Traverse County will be running youth baseball at the civic center.
Jones says, "the county will be able to provide a very professionally run baseball program including background checks for coaches, coaches training and possibly some training for parents."
It will be affiliated with the Babe Ruth League focusing on fundamentals for kids ages 4-18 in the Greater Grand Traverse Region.
After an initial investment of $25,000 for equipment, Jones projects the program will actually make money for the county. But for many families it's about something much more important.
Witkop says, "I think it's going to be a very very good program. I think the kids are going to be happier. It's going to be a lot more organized. The parents and coaches won't feel as intimidated guess as they had in the past. It's going to be about the kids which is what it should be anyway."
What do you think about this? Is this something the county should be in charge of? Is this a good use of county funds? American Legion ran the program for more than two generations, what have your experiences been? Leave your comments below.
Click here for more information about the program.
