Boosters seek more funding for ballparks

McCOOK, Neb. -- The City of McCook significantly increased funds budgeted for local baseball and softball parks during last fall's budget process and enthusiasts for the diamond sports are calling for more.

The City of McCook Ball Parks department was budgeted for $100,662 in expenditures in the 2015-16 budget, a 4.7 percent increase over prior year. The increases were in addition to the creation of a $60,000 ballpark reserve account which Mayor Mike Gonzales initially proposed at $100,000.

The city also borrowed $300,000 on a 5-year loan from the Water Department Enterprise Fund as part of an effort to replace equipment in a variety of city departments, including two ballpark purchases; a $17,500 tractor with loader attachment and $2,500 equipment trailer.

Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff indicated last summer the department would likely need to add staff in the future as well. He said at the time, the amount of work at the ballparks had grown substantially and is now virtually year-round. He said it was becoming too much for one person to handle and predicted the city would be looking at adding additional ballpark staff in future budgets.

Despite the 2015-16 expanded budget and approved expenditures, ballpark enthusiasts indicated recently the city needs to do more and spectators could be at risk.

Arthur Skinner of McCook appeared before City Council last week and asked the city to look at purchasing additional safety netting to protect spectators at the Jaycee Complex. He indicated spectators were at risk of receiving a concussion due to the lack of netting.

"You got baseball games going on, you got softball. So, you don't really know which way to duck when they say duck," said Skinner. He said concussions had really come to the forefront of today's sports and spectators struck in the head by a wayward ball would be very likely to receive a concussion, "and then it's gonna be a big concern to everybody."

Skinner's comments came during the Citizen's Comments portion of the meeting and no action or discussion from council members occurred.