BASEBALL: Play at high schools

Here’s a thought… Why can’t we simply choose to operate the American Legion baseball programs within our cities’ pre-existing, paid for facilities at Coeur d’Alene and Lake City High Schools? Both offer ample parking, concession and bathroom areas, extended facilities such as weight rooms, sports medicine centers, and each will soon offer indoor hitting facilities for year round training – not to mention the many amenities offered within each outdoor ballpark.

For District #271’s patronage and partnership, the city and Legion program should provide annual funds for the usage, upkeep and future improvements to the baseball facilities. Such an arrangement seems commonplace in other cities around state and region – my main example being the many Legion programs operating out of high school facilities in Boise and Meridian.

I’m surprised that this cost effective solution has not been seriously entertained up to this point. Not only does it make sense financially but it also positions the CdA Legion program well in the future for the expansion of their programs as our population grows.

Having worked extensively with the majority of our city’s most committed baseball players, I am confident in saying that their main focus in playing summer ball is to continue to develop their skills, compete against the best competition available, and to gain as much recruiting exposure as possible. The venue where they play seems to matter little in determining the program in which they ultimately choose to participate.

BRYAN RASMUSSEN

Coeur d’Alene