Is Mrs. Ferguson really the one to blame? What we need is for the leaders from all the sports leagues to come together and form a committee of their own to resolve many of the problems that exist. A representative from each league would work together in dealing with things like scheduling and field availability to uniforms and sponsors and all the other details that would make the experience for the kids the best it could be. The committee would then present their findings to the head of the rec program or council on a monthly basis and the appropriate action could be taken.
My kids played soccer this past fall, and it was frustrating to me that the kids could only play on one soccer field at Johnson Park and that's without lights. I didn't understand why the kids weren't allowed to play soccer at Foschini Park under the lights or even in the park itself. During the fall soccer season the baseball fields are under utilized and all soccer games are played at Johnson. To me that is a waste. Whatever damage is done to the fields could be fixed by spring.
If there was dialog between the baseball rep and the soccer rep, maybe an agreement could have been reached.
As for the separate baseball league that was formed a couple of years ago, it was started by a group of parents that were dissatisfied with the selection process of the teams during the drafting of players. They also felt too much pressure was being placed on the kids to win.
As a parent (and coach) who went to many of the baseball meetings, I can say that the selection process was flawed but corrected. The age groups were redefined and more emphasis was put on learning, not winning. Bill Gallagher and Jeanne Dressler did an excellent job while my kids played and put the kids' interests first. The leaders of both leagues should come together though and work out their differences.
When my son wanted to sign up for wrestling, I went to the rec center and spoke to Mrs. Ferguson. She went into her rolodex and gave me the wrestling coach, Butch Bitetto's number. She gave me as much info as she could about the wrestling program which was enough for me.
Is it her job to give me all the details about the wrestling program or the wrestling coach's?
As for people from the rec department attending sporting events, I will say this. I saw David Fernandez, an employee of the rec center, at every fall soccer game this past season. All games were on Saturday, was he getting paid OT or was he there because he cares about the kids. I think because he cares about the kids.
I think all of the people involved with the kids sports programs are passionate about the kids. We just need them to organize themselves better and become more efficient. Is it Mrs. Ferguson's job to organize all the sports leagues in the city or should it be the mayor or council to make kids sports and how they're organized a priority???