Comment: I am President of Hyde Park Babe Ruth Baseball/Softball. We attended the City Council meeting on 3/31 to show support for the proposal regarding the upgrade to the local little league facilities. Here are the my remarks I read to the city council at that meeting.
Good evening Mr. Mayor and Niagara Falls City Council. I’d like to thank you for this opportunity to speak on behalf of roughly 200 families in the city of Niagara Falls. My name is Jeff Cafarella and I am president of Hyde Park Babe Ruth. This is my first year as league president, but overall this is my 30th year involved in the league which consisted as a player, coach, manager & 13yr Board Member.
We are here tonight in support of councilman Choolokian’s proposal for the upgrade to the facilities at all local little leagues within the city. We are here in support of our youth and we are here to support change to a negative reputation this city has regarding things to do for children 4-18 years old.
The reason why we support this proposal is simple. We want our children to have a safe and modernized complex they can all be proud of. Not only will our local youth benefit from such improvements but so will our local economy.
Just this past month we we were asked by Babe Ruth State commissioners if Hyde Park would be interested in hosting a 12yr old State Tournament which would draw the top 8-12 Teams (in that age group) from all over NY STATE. Unfortunately because our complex cannot meet mandated requirements set forth by Babe Ruth Baseball we are unable to accept the invitation. The requirements we fail to meet are considered “Basic” necessities within the game of baseball. Those necessities are home run fences and the ability to have two games playing simultaneously within a close proximity. Even if we put up temporary fencing on one diamond, our next closet diamond does not have the proper distance needed to set up a 2nd temporary fence because it would interfere with the spectators on the first diamond.
If Hyde Park were able to host this tournament, there would be an influx of approximately 500 people coming to nf for up to four days. Our local hotels, restaurants & businesses could benefit from such tournaments.
Just a few short years ago, HP was famous for hosting our annual 4th of July Tournament. It consisted of 30 teams from all over WNY, Jamestown, leagues as far west as Ohio and even our neighbors to the north sent teams for the 4 day holiday weekend tournament. Unfortunately due to the worsening conditions of our grounds, the lack of those basic necessities mentioned before, the tournament has since faded away and now our friends at the Lewiston Baseball League have been the local organization where teams looks to come play because of their modernized complex and playing fields.
We understand people will question who will maintain these facilities after they have been built, but allow me to remind you that little league baseball survives on the hardworking volunteers that dedicate their own time to allow our youth to succeed in a safe & structured environment. The leagues would still maintain the shelters & diamond upkeep as well as everyday maintenance. There would be no NEW additional costs to the city following completion of the complexes.
When driving around the city you might notice some other sporting facilities which have been recently upgraded such as the new million dollar hockey arena, the creation of Legends Park and complete renovation to The Bocce Courts just a few years back. Those renovations were desperately needed and now provide the safe & modernized facilities that are needed in their respected sports. We are now here standing united asking you to provide the 3,000 children who participate in baseball/softball those same needed upgrades to their respective complexes.
Little league baseball has existed and provided a service to the youth of this city for over 50 years. It has survived while many false promises have come and gone into this city with verbal financial support from previous city leaders. With the cities latest financial gain, NOW is the time to financially support our youth for the next 50 years.
There is a new movement in all the local little leagues within the city and we are all working together to better the lives of all our children and to change the stereo type of little leaguers from Niagara Falls. Without these desperately needed renovations to our facilities, we’ll be fighting an uphill battle with spinning tires.
In closing, we are simply asking for safe diamonds which meet playing requirements, a shelter to serve as concession stand/field house with working bathrooms and if possible a lighted diamond to enhance the overall experience. To some it may seem like a lot to ask for, but for many in other local close cities & townships, this is the standard.
I stand here tonight asking you not to look at this as a financial investment, but as an investment in our youth for generations to come.
Finally, I will leave you with a quote that we are all familiar with…..If you build it, they will come.
[Submitted by Jeff Cafarella]
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