A hit for both sides
In the bitterly contested gamesmanship of debating what to do with American Legion Baseball now played at McEuen Park, let's call timeout for the seventh inning stretch.
It's time to get up out of the respective dugouts, stretch those stressed out limbs and maybe go grab a refreshing beverage.
Together.
Up to this point the score has been knotted at Legion 0, City 0. And the way it's been looking, the game could go on forever. The upside? Nobody has lost yet. The downside? Nobody will win, either.
Fortunately, the two teams in this competition appear to be coming together so that both can emerge victorious before too many more summer suns set. Negotiators are working on a memo of understanding that would allow the city to prepare a great place for the kids to play ball every summer, starting in 2013.
That place is Ramsey Field right next to the Kroc Community Center. To make all of McEuen Park more useful to more people, the city has said it will replace the existing baseball field with one that is equal to it or better. That's going to be a judgment call no matter how you pitch it, but we think the Ramsey option could be a home run. And the way sensible city officials and Legion representatives are talking, we aren't alone in that assessment.
The city is promising good lighting that would allow night baseball to continue. Also included would be dugouts for both teams, plus covered grandstands, restroom facilities and access to snacks for fans.
Because the ballpark is right next to Kroc, some families might argue the proposed site is even better than the current one. There's not just ample parking but a great place for other family members to go for a snack, a swim or other activity while the boys are playing baseball.
Our intent today is not so much to argue the merits of the proposed move, but to encourage both parties to shake hands on an agreement that will make everybody happy. McEuen is going to change; that's no longer in question. Let's play ball politically so next summer, our kids can have a ball playing ball at Ramsey Field.