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, � <br /> MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF AUGUST 3, 1993 <br /> BASEBALL FIELD - CONT. <br /> Bosma noted that historically kids have been turned away because of lack of fields, coaches, etc. <br /> A handout was presented showing the demographics. Orono Baseball is unique as it involves <br /> five cities and has fields in only three. Of those three fields, two are in city parks (Bederwood <br /> and Holbrook). There is one Little League field to play on which is Bederwood. Bederwood <br /> . is the only field in the system which has a baseball mound and a fence for 12 and under. The <br /> other fields are shared converted softball fields. Bosma recanted his earlier statement referring <br /> to five cities and listed six cities which are involved from biggest to smallest in numbers: <br /> Orono, Maple Plain, Long Lake, Independence, Medina, and Minnetonka Beach. There are 32 <br /> "open enrollment" students that were not eligible to play with the "Little League Association" <br /> because they did not live within the school district boundaries. In April OBA voted to drop out <br /> of Little League to let all Orono school district kids play within the association and now also <br /> have kids participating from Delano, Hamel, Plymouth, and Wayzata. <br /> Howells asked if the program was coed. <br /> Bosma explained that it is open. <br /> Vongries asked for clarification that OBA dropped "Little League", a national organization, and <br /> if anyone would come before the Park Commission representing "Little League". <br /> Bosma explained that at the time "Little League" was dropped all equipment was transferred to <br /> Orono Junior Spartans which is a division of OBA. <br /> McMillan questioned how the demand was prioritized. <br /> Hawkinson explained that no one is turned down except for late sign up dates. <br /> Bosma added that children from the City of Orono make up 42% of the youth registered in the <br /> OBA. There are 561 children in the association. The number of children between 9 and 12 use <br /> the biggest fields and they are most concerned about that age level. Everyone between the age <br /> group of 9 and 12 at some point will play at Bederwood. The 7 and 8 year olds play on the <br /> other smaller fields within the minors and the juniors make up the majority of their games on <br /> the bigger fields. The high school fields are used extensively because they are the only ones <br /> available but are not designed for baseball. <br /> Flint inquired why they aren't designed for baseball. <br /> Hawkinson explained that the Youth Softball Association had permanent rubbers placed on the <br /> fields which cause a safety hazard for the pitchers because pitching is done at different distances <br /> for baseball than for softball. <br /> 2 <br />