By MaryHelen Swanson

Facing the county commissioners at the table last week were Environmental Services Director Mary Schmitz, County Attorney Janet Reiter, Assistant County Attorney Kristine Nelson-Fuge, Administrator John Moosey and Parks Director Laird Mork.

They had one mission - to solve a ball park problem that the commissioners have been batting around for months.

Three documents were presented for approval: a resolution directing the county park director to manage the scheduling of the Ki-Chi-Saga ball fields, a Ki-Chi-Saga ball fields scheduling policy statement and a memorandum of agreement for use of the three Ki-Chi-Saga ball fields.

County Attorney Reiter said the state auditor's concerns that a contract be drawn up because a county commissioner has been scheduling the fields, are addressed in the memorandum.

The commissioners approved the first resolution unanimously. Commissioner Ben Montzka was absent from the meeting.

Votes that followed were not as unanimous.

Commissioner Lynn Schultz moved and Commissioner Rick Greene seconded the motion to approve the policy statement.

Commissioner Bob Gustafson, the center of the ball park issue because of his tradition of scheduling summer leagues for the park's fields, objected. He felt the policy was discriminatory against the ball players. The policy was written directly to the softball fields.

Mork agreed saying the policy probably should include other sports, but he didn't think the intent was to single out the ball players.

The motion passed 3-1.

Another 3-1 vote came with the approval of the memorandum of agreement.

Gustafson, in voting no, had the same sentiments of discrimination.

The agreement, Fuge noted, is only for teams who want to "schedule" time on the fields.

The policy statement is only for the three ball fields at Ki-Chi-Saga Park in Chisago Lakes Township.

It is not applicable to the soccer fields, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits or park open space.

The county park director has the final responsibility for scheduling these three fields.

Park shelters remain the responsibility of the park director.

And primary field maintenance is the responsibility of the park director. But infield dragging, repair of infield holes, trash pickup and provision for a portable toilet is the responsibility of the user of the field.

The memorandum of agreement must be signed prior to field times being assigned.

A standard user list will be provided to all groups who wish to schedule field time.

That list was unanimously approved and includes: Lakes Area Recreation Association, Men's Softball League, Women's Softball League, church leagues, private groups and schools.

In another action item, Gustafson was given permission to use Room 142 at the Government Center on March 15 for a recreation program manager's meeting. Two changes were made to the county's room use policy prior to this action, by a vote of 3-0. Gustafson abstained.

Comment from Kristi Nelson, 3/20/07

I have been playing ball in Chisago County for over 35 years. From my time playing ball as a youth in the County Rec. Program, coaching my kids as they participated in youth ball, to my 26 years as a Blue Ribbon in the adult program, during this time I have seen many changes in the leadership of the Chisago County Recreation program. But one thing that I will remember the most is the way Bob Gustafson has gone out of his way to develop and nurture the program to what it is today. His guidance and dedication cannot go unnoted.

Mr. Gustafson's character can be attested by the hundreds of ball players that have had the opportunity to participate in County Ball. The program was a county run program until the paid position was eliminated by budget cuts. Bob stepped in and has volunteered thousands of hours to continue the program. He spends his days making schedules, trouble shooting questions, and putting out fires. He spends his evenings checking fields for safety, delivering rosters and schedules, and filling in as an umpire in his spare time. All through the generosity of his heart, as our league director is not a paid position.

In addition to the numerous hours of volunteer time, Bob has been generous with helping teams throughout the county. Our team hosts an annual tournament. Bob has continually not only donated time to the event, but has also given us generous cash donations in addition. Many of the ball fields throughout the county have benefited from Bob's generosity as well. If he sees a need, he manages to get things done. Especially if safety of the players is an issue, he will make sure it is done right.

Sometimes the road seems too long and too steep. That is what Bob is running into with the rules that the County Board has established for County Park. The notion that adult softball teams need to sign a contract to use a public park is insanity. Why not the youth teams? Why not the others that use that public area? Soccer teams, volleyball players, joggers & walkers? Do they not hold the same responsibilities as adult softball teams? Why would anyone assume that vandalism that happens in the wee hours of night are due to softball players that have stepped onto the field once a week? The possibility of injury can happen in any sporting event, why single out these leagues?

There needs to be a balance between adult and youth softball in the county. Bob has done an excellent job of balancing the scheduling of the fields between adult and youth. And this is quite a balancing act. With limited fields, and the bulk of the field use in the month of June, things are difficult to juggle. But I don't think one program should be compromised to serve the other. There is a way to make both programs prosper in the County, and with a little compromise this will happen. I enjoyed playing ball with my children in their youth and enjoy playing adult ball with my children now. I can't wait until my grandkids sit on my lap and I can point to their Daddy playing ball in the field. Please show your support for adult and youth softball by working together to promote the sport and compromise in the county.

Kristi Nelson

Blue Ribbons, Manager