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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONt}PARK COMMISSION <br /> MEETING HELD ON JANU�ARY 2, l 996 � <br /> (#2 - Orono Softball - Cantinued) <br /> Ilse said the surrounding communities should make fields available for their fair share. In <br /> inquiring about Independence, Haliquist said he did not know of any fields in that <br /> community. Ilse noted that the softball association provides service to Independence <br /> children. <br /> VVilson asked if the shortage problem was for game times or practice times. Hallquist said <br /> both, but the schedulin� of games was the lar�est problem. Schedulin� for clinics and �ym <br /> space was also said to create problems. He alsa noted that the North Minnetonka <br /> Baseball Association, a recreatianal league, made use of 65% of the Orono softball fields <br /> and pla_yed teams from other communities such as Rockford and Monticello. <br /> Ilse asked if the scheduling can be done prior to registration. Hallquist said they have an <br /> idea of the usa�e before re�istration but cannot finaliz� anvthin�until re�istration is <br /> complete. The assaciation was said to limit a team size to 13 to reduce bench time. With <br /> the younger children, there would be an unknown number of particpants with new players, <br /> but they use the field at Rainbow and a nearby park The 10-under group were said to <br /> need mare space. <br /> Ilse inquired about use at Hackberry and was informed it was considered a small field. <br /> Ilse informed Hallquist that the Park Commission was in the process of park planning and <br /> would need some time to continue with that nrocess in determinina the oarameters and <br /> guidelines fc�r usage of each park <br /> Flint asked if the number of participants would be known by the association for the <br /> Februarv 5 meetin�. Hallquist said re�istration would not be known at that time but was <br /> here to give the Park Commission time to determine if Bederwood would be available. It <br /> was later reported that actual figures would not be available until May 1. He said they <br /> would be faced with limitin� the number of participants without any additional field <br /> scheduling. Flint asked if the number of players on the field for each team was known. <br /> Haltquist said the younger children had ten players on the field and nine players for the ten <br /> and over a�e�roup. <br /> Ilse asked if the softbali participation was growing. She inquired about the policy <br /> re�ardin��uho can plav. Hallauist said softball �uidelines limit the plavers to children who <br /> live in or attend Orono schools. Baseball participation is o�en to anyone; no residence <br /> guidelines are used. Hallquist said the 1$-under program, which consists of 17 and 18 <br /> year olds, initiates a draft as there is a problem in gaining enough participation. He felt the <br /> addition of slow-pitch tearns would help to encourage older Qirls to remain in the <br /> program. <br /> 3 <br />