Group calls for a replay on decision to close baseball fields

Representatives of Port Youth Baseball told the Common Council Tuesday they want to hear cries of “play ball” on their home fields this summer, asking aldermen to reconsider their decision not to open city fields this summer.

Port is the only community in the area that isn’t allowing youth baseball this summer, they said, a situation they want to see changed. 

“Our kids are able to play away games but they cannot have home-field advantage at any point this season,” Nicole Ksioszk told the council. The only reason we want the fields open is so our kids can play in their hometown.”

Many of the fields used by the group are owned by the Port Washington-Saukville School District, and Supt. Mike Weber said they are closed until at least July 1 per Department of Public Instruction rules.

Weber said he expects the DPI to issue some guidelines to school districts next week, many of them dealing with the reopening of schools, but said they may offer some guidance on how to move forward with other facilities as well.

“The outdoor facilities are obviously less of a concern than the indoor ones,” he said. 

Ksioszk presented aldermen with a 50-page packet of information, including risk assessments and other documents to make the case that youth baseball is a low-risk sport for players and spectators.

“We are considered lower risk when it comes to sports,” she said, citing the Washington Ozaukee Public Health Department blueprint for reopening. “We have guidelines in place. Kids are sanitizing their hands. We’re sanitizing balls. They’re social distancing in the dugouts and outside the dugouts. We’re not sharing equipment.”

The organization has spent a significant amount of time coming up with guidelines to protect players, she said, including following the guidelines issued by the Wisconsin State League “and adding to it.”

Port Youth Baseball surveyed parents and all their concerns have been addressed, Ksioszk said.

“Port Washington is, as far as I can tell, the only city in Ozaukee and Washington counties that is not allowing youth sports,” she said. “We’re taking every step we can to make sure parents are comfortable and kids are safe.”

Keeping the fields closed, she said, “just doesn’t seem right.”

Brad Stone, a U-14 softball coach, told the council  his team had played eight games in the last week in communities such as Mequon, Richfield, Jackson and West Bend.

“I can’t imaging a safer activity for our youth,” he said, noting the game is played outdoors and players have little contact.

“I see hundreds of kids playing at Possibility Playground with no protocols in place,” Stone added. “Organizations large and small are allowing youths to get back to the new norm. 

“I hope you would reconsider your decision.”

Mayor Marty Becker said he received a text during the meeting from someone who asked that the council hold a special meeting to discuss the issue.

He polled aldermen, who agreed to meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, to discuss the matter.

“The arguments tonight are very compelling,” Ald. Deb Postl said.

“I would like to do something and let the kids play baseball,” Ald. Pat Tearney added.

But Ald. Dan Benning said that when the city approved a reopening plan two weeks ago, “this was not brought up as a concern. I am really struggling with reopening this (issue) two weeks later.”

Baseball, he noted, is just one of dozens of activities the city canceled for the spring and summer, and he doesn’t want to set a precedent others may follow.

“We have to get to a point where we’re not second-guessing ourselves,” he said.