Strike Two for the North River American Little League Ball Fields

PALMETTO –This week, Mayor Shirley Bryant forfeited all efforts to acquire the land needed for to construct the Little League fields on 10^th Street near 10^th Avenue in Palmetto.  The city keeps striking out in regards to finding a suitable place the North River American Little League can call their home field.

”I just really want to get these fields built,“ said Mayor Bryant ”because as nice as it is to have the new school – the job isn’t over.“

The Palmetto City Commission first attempted to locate the fields adjacent to Blackstone Park, but the effort required the realignment of 23^rd Street. The extensive undertaking would cost the city up to $3.2 million. Although Manatee Fruit company was kind enough to donate the property near Blackstone to the city, the expensive road project and mounting attorney’s fees from the company deterred the city from following through. Then in March of 2011, market researchers surveyed Palmetto residents to see if there was a demand for a YMCA. Part of the survey asked the public where they wanted their ball fields. The first choice was the land at 10^th Street and 10^th Ave West as the best location.

There were high hopes for the ulterior spot, especially since the land was up for sale. Since the site was considered blight, the Community Redevelopment Agency was planning to include it in their new perimeters, making it eligible for CRA funding. City officials had the property appraised, but the landowner is asking more than the appraised value.

”We are trying to be cautious about the money we spend because we want to save our money for the fields themselves,“ said Mayor Bryant. ”I’ve reached the decision that he’s not going to negotiate with us enough, so we’re going to have to choose another site.“

Mayor Bryant met with County Officials this week to find another solution. Superintendent McGonegal assigned Mike Pendley of the Site Selection Committee to assist the City of Palmetto in their plight to find another location. However, the fields have to be within certain parameters to comply with little league regulations. Every little league has a certain district and must play within the boundaries.  

”We need an absolute on where we can construct the fields. Until we find that site, we can’t seek out grants to help with construction,“ said Bryant.

For over three years now, little league players have been waiting for the home fields they were promised by the City of Palmetto, the Manatee County School Board and the Manatee County Commission. In an unorganized land swap, former Mayor Larry Bustle provided organization’s ball fields to the school board when a series of health concerns related to the 50-year-old Palmetto Elementary came to the forefront. The old school had developed a mold problem that was a great health risk to attendees.  The ball fields were razed in order to provide the necessary land for a new Palmetto Elementary School.  Officials acted quickly – maybe too quickly, since the ”land swap“ never exactly came to fruition. 

After the NRALL fields were demolished, new construction began shortly. This year the school children moved into a brand new school, but the little league never received their fields.

In the five years that have passed, the NRALL has suffered a major decline in participation. Their organization has diminished by over a third. Currently the NRALL is playing on the fields at Blackstone, but has to adjust its schedule to comply with other leagues that also utilize the fields.

”I’m just very disappointed because I was very hopeful about that tenth and tenth site, but obviously the landowner has ever right to ask a price that he feels is fair,“ said Bryant.

Bryant claims that the first option at Blackstone is not completely off the plate. In the mean time, the city keeps extending their contract with Manatee Fruit Company until a solution is reached.