Salinas moves to boost sports programs

Gravel or grass, Salinas’ little league baseball players are just happy they get to practice.

“I like just being with my friends on the field,” player Jose Ortega said.

Even if it means having to run around on softball or soccer fields and bouncing from place to place.

“There (are) no fields,” said Ramon Valenzuela, Little League Baseball District Administrator. “They are finding spots here and there, you know, a lot of times these kids will get a phone call, (saying) ‘guys, we don’t have a field today’.”

Aside from their skills on the field, players and parents are also practicing being patient and flexible.

“If another league gets there first, you just go wherever you can. Sometimes we have different leagues and different fields out here,” said Sara Hernandez with two sons playing in the league. “It’s just wherever you can get space to get out and practice.”

Sports programs were cut back significantly during the recession, and the city is looking to bring them back.
For the next 10 years, the city plans to build better parks, recreation centers and library services, and officials said the plan will make Salinas a better and safer place to live.

“I think not only sports, but recreation and library, and just beautiful open spaces where families can gather, those are all methods of reducing violence in the community,” said Kristan Lundquist with Recreation & Community Services Superintendent.

Parents said it sounds like a home run.

“I think that would be great for the kids to have a better area to practice, better conditions, field conditions I should say,” Hernandez said.

The city will continue to ask for feedback from the community through April, after that consultants will begin developing a plan for the future.