Baseball program expansion pitched at Warner Robins Council meeting

WARNER ROBINS — Youth baseball and softball in Warner Robins could be stepping up to the plate for a major expansion, as city officials weigh a proposed partnership with the Warner Robins Youth Baseball Initiative. During pre-council meeting on Sept. 15, the city discussed a proposed memorandum of understanding with the recently formed local non-profit.

The partnership aims to expand and enhance youth recreational baseball and softball programs. As explained by Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services director Preston Pooser, the non-profit would be responsible for running concession stands and raising money for enhancements like clinics, hosting travel teams and equipment.

After two years, the non-profit would have more responsibility in managing the program. The city would retain final authority and maintain facilities.

Pooser said he received feedback from concerned parents about the program’s current management and facility maintenance. After meeting with a parents’ group, Pooser heard recommendations to expand the program year-round.

However, with 450 children in the baseball and softball programs, along with heavy participation in football, cheerleading, soccer and basketball, finding an adequate workforce would be a challenge, according to Pooser.

“We really don’t have staff for year-round programs and to be able to focus. When it’s baseball season, it’s baseball season. When it’s basketball season, it’s basketball season. When it’s football season, it’s football season. And we don’t really have the ability as a city to expand those into more year-round,” Pooser said.

Council asked questions and voiced concerns. Councilman Clifford Holmes, Councilman Derek Mack and Councilman Charlie Bibb wanted to ensure every child who wanted to play had access to the program.

“We are always here to develop, to work with, to help the young people in our community. I’ve never been a part of any other organization, even outside of the city of Warner Robins, that has ever turned anybody away, and I won’t work with an organization that ever turns a kid away … I hope we welcome every every kid into our facilities,” Bibb said.

Councilman Larry Curtis asked about rates. Pooser replied, saying the city would maintain control over registration fees for the first two years. The non-profit expressed a desire to keep the program affordable and would continue consulting with the city.

Councilman Keith Lauritsen has seen similar partnerships around the state and was excited to see an expanded program in the city. He proposed encouraging similar baseball leagues to work together.

Pooser responded, saying he is working to bring back a Little League franchise to the city.

“If we go into Little League, we’re going to have some growing pains over the next couple of years. I know that there’s some history there, and there’s going to take some time to work through those issues. But I think in the long run, it would be a good opportunity for us to advance youth baseball and softball,” Pooser said.

Mack, describing himself as “a product of Warner Robins Little League,” said the league built a partnership with Robins Air Force Base and asked Pooser to consider collaborating with the base again.

“It would be really cool to foster that,” Mack said. “If they can develop teams in our age brackets and come play on our fields and we also play on their fields, that’d be a great partnership and a visibility across the nation.”

Bibb wanted to know who would be responsible for promoting sports tourism. Pooser said that would be the city’s priority. Finally, to answer a question from Mayor LaRhonda Patrick, Pooser said all city-run baseball programs would fall under the initiative.

Overall, given the number of programs the city runs, Pooser said the extra help would be appreciated in elevating Warner Robins’ rec baseball.

“Staff has done an outstanding job over the years producing these athletic programs, but we did have this group come forward and wanting to help out and kind of take us to the next level. And I think this is how we can do it,” Pooser said.

Council took no action on the memorandum. The proposal will reach home plate at a future meeting.

To view the meeting’s agenda and supporting documents, visit the city’s website.

A full look at the meeting can be found on the city’s Facebook page.

The next Warner Robins City Council Meeting will take place Monday, Oct. 6, 4:30 p.m., at Warner Robins City Hall, 700 Watson Boulevard.