HomeMy WebLinkAboutVI (F) Discussion/ Action re: Little League and AAU Baseball request to use Sorenson Field Agenda 5-20-97
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MEMORANDUM
To: The Honorable Mayor and City Commission
From: Jim Beech,Recreation Director 3
Date: May 15, 1997
Re: Little League and AAU Baseball
Enclosed is a letter from Mr. Steve Roberts with reference to AAU Baseball in Ocoee, particular to
the use of playing fields in Ocoee. His request is basically to play one game per week on Sundays. He
understands that the Ocoee Little League will also be using the field on Sunday and he is willing to
schedule around their(Ocoee Little League) games. However,I sincerely believe that the real issue will
be to bring AAU baseball into Ocoee. Therefore, the following comments arc given:
1) I do not believe anyone would be against Ocoee youth playing in any league that would enhance the
opportunity to play more baseball at a higher caliber of ability, if a particular league is higher than
the other.
2) Ocoee Little League has been one of the outstanding baseball programs in Central Florida for many
years. It offers baseball to both boys and girls and presently it would offer more youth the
opportunity to play baseball at a lower cost.
3) Should two different baseball programs be offered in Ocoee, one or the other is going to suffer. Ocoee
at this time is not big enough to support two leagues.
4) Playing fields for two leagues are not available at this time and who is to decide which should come
first?
5) At this time, the AAU program involves only a very few Ocoee youth and they do have a field in
Montverde they can use. This is not really the best for Ocoee players but AAU can and does draw
from areas outside of Ocoee.
6) Staff consensus at the moment is to do more planning to be able to accommodate all.
There are parties in the audience who will speak or answer any questions concerning this discussion
about the leagues.
I respectfully request directions that should be followed to meet the best needs of all.
Cc: Ellis Shapiro, City Manager
Steve Roberts, AAU Baseball
Dean Ashton,President Ocoee Little League
Zack Prettyman,Assistant District Administrator for Little League
TO: Honorable City Officials
FROM: Steve Roberts
MANAGER
A.A.U. Renegades
REF: Bringing A.A.U. Baseball to Ocoee.
Dear Honorable Officials,
My name is Steve Roberts and I'm manager of a A.A.U. baseball team that for the past
season has played our games and held our practices in the town of Monteverde. Almost all of
the Renegade players are from the city of Ocoee. Many parents have suggested that maybe the
City of Ocoee would allow us to use the Senior and Junior fields to have our games. That is the
reason for this letter. I have attended many baseball games this year in Ocoee, and have had
many parents ask me if A.A.0 would come to Ocoee, and would I spear head it. I would love to
move my Renegade team to Ocoee, if we could arrange an aggreement on playing fields and
practice fields. Normally, all A.A.U. games are played on Sundays. Since most if not all our
players play in other leagues, practices are usually 1-2 times a week. I believe Ocoee could field
1-4 teams. If we are allowed to use the senior and junior fields on Sundays, two teams could"
travel, while the other two played at home. The teams would consist of various age groups. We
are not asking the City of Ocoee to"sponsor" us,just to provide us with playing fields. We would
make sure the fields were cleaned up after each game and the field maintained. This venture
would not only help the youth of Ocoee expand their skills, but would help put Ocoee on a bigger
spot on the map. A.A.U. Baseball is growing biger and better each year. Let's be part of it.
Please understand one thing, we are not trying to steal players from the Ocoee Little League
program, only trying to expand their skills and wants. We already have a logo and name, that
was given to me by Mr. Don Dizney, former owner of the USFL Orlando Renegades. Please let
me know if the City is interested.
Sincerely,
T
Steve Roberts
P.S. I can be reached at (407) 877-3420
808 Apricot Dr.
Ocoee, FL 34761
P.S.S. I would be happy to present this to the city commission with several parents to support
this. Thank you
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Dear City Clerk,
Enclosed please find (7) sets of documents for each of the
commissioners, the city manager, and the Mayor. Would you please
see to it that they all get a copy? If you or they should have any
questions, please feel free to contact me at any time.
Thank you,
Steve Roberts
808 Apricot Dr.
Ocoee, FL 34761
(407) 877-3420
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