The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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June 1, 2012

Our View: Ballfields of cooperation

— It’s easy this time of year to get excited about baseball. The fields are green, school’s nearly out, and hot dogs off the grill are so much better eaten outside.

And now the community has even more reason to be excited about baseball. Saturday is the grand opening celebration of ballfields at Rosa Parks Elementary School on Mankato’s hilltop.

These aren’t just any fields. These fields are the tangible example of cooperation at work. The city of Mankato, Mankato Area Public Schools and Mankato Area Youth Baseball Association put together a long-term plan and came up with a way to make the fields a reality. Joining them were various businesses that have stepped up with money to sponsor some of the fields as well as fund the future construction of a concession stand.

Extra fields are in high demand in a town that has 1,200 participants in MAYBA’s program. Four of the new fields are scaled for 10- and 12-year-olds, the other two for 13-year-olds. One field is lighted, and eventually all will be. The fields also have grass infields, raised mounds and sprinkler systems. A classy place for local kids to play ball.

The project started in 2008 when MAYBA met with City Manager Pat Hentges to talk about the need for more fields. That talk evolved into a multi-layered, cooperative project.

Single-handedly, it would have been tough for either the school district or city to tackle such a project when budgets are being trimmed. MAYBA took on a big role by committing $10,000 a year for five years to the project.

The project has been done in phases on the grounds adjacent to Rosa Parks with more amenities planned, such as the addition of trees.

And the ballfields aren’t the sole venture of this kind. Mankato Area Public Schools and city of North Mankato are planning future soccer fields in North Mankato.

This kind of cooperation is a good example of the possibilities that can occur when community groups and government entities work together.

Teamwork isn’t just a sports thing. Sometimes it’s what can get you a new sports complex.



The grand opening of the ballfields starts at 9 a.m. Saturday and will include an opening ceremony and MAYBA exhibition play.

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