Get Local | Wellington Community Blog

Maybe it’s my nature. Or perhaps it’s what’s happened in my professional life. Then again, maybe it’s because I’m naturally curious. But I have some questions on an issue that is floating around the Village these past few months.

Tom, what the heck are you talking about?

The whole issue of baseball, sports providers and this insane notion of non-residents playing on Village fields. So, what’s the brouhaha all about?

This story.

Before I get to share why this story really ticks me off and why it is inaccurate, let’s get to the basic facts.

This story is about travel baseball and the participation of non-residents in this Village approved program. Many of the sports played in Wellington have two separate and distinct programs – a recreation program and a competitive program.

What’s the difference you may ask?

It’s a simple one. Recreation programs have a “parents pay, children play” philosophy. Yep, in recreation sports, all participants get to play in each and every game. My understanding is that they get to play at least one-third of each game. Competitive programs have try-outs and there is no promise that if a child makes the team that he or she will play. The costs of participating in the competitive programs are higher than in recreation programs. So, normally, the desire to do well is exacerbated.

So, Tom, what exactly are you in a huff about?

Well, let’s get to the story.

A parent of a skilled young ball player has a gripe with the fact that he can’t participate in the Village of Wellington sanctioned league and has to go to Boynton Beach to play. In fact, he quite plainly states "We have all these nonresidents coming in and taking over our programs … They're taking our kids' spots, using our fields and knocking on Wellington doors for fundraisers."

No one took this child’s spot away except his father.

You see, the boy was 9 years old. But the father didn’t want him on the 9 year old team due to a personality conflict with the coach. So he had him try out for the 10 year old team. And he didn’t make it. My understanding is that this young man would have made the 9 year old team, but did not have the ability to make the 10 year old team. So, whose fault is it, really?

This argument had nothing to do with whether there are non-residents trying out, but was a personal choice made by a parent. It was his choice and now he doesn’t play on a Wellington sanctioned team and drives to Boynton Beach.

Doesn't this father's decision to have his child play in Boynton Beach strike anyone as the pot calling the kettle black? He couldn't get on a Wellington team, so he went to Boynton Beach and took a spot from a Boynton Beach child.

Well, you may say, was there any other alternative? In one word, yep.

If this father had an issue with the coach, why didn’t he approach the Board of Directors and ask for a second team to be formed?

Don’t know, maybe someone should ask him.

What about the January try-outs, you may ask? Nope, didn’t show up for those either, I understand. Don't know why he didn't show up.

Maybe someone should ask about that as well.

This was a personal choice that was made and had nothing to do with residents versus non-residents. And now a child has to pay the price.

But what about that percentage requirement of resident participation programs and the use of our facilities? This is a complicated question needs a little explanation.

Right now Wellington residents have the choice to play in a Wellington league or not, whether the program is a recreational or competitive. Many choose not to use the leagues made available through the Village and that is their choice. So be it.

The fact of the matter is the facilities in Wellington really have no equal in the county and teams are clamoring to play on them. If Wellington residents choose not to play on Village sanctioned teams, why should the Village deny anyone else that opportunity?

The real issue revolves around money. Specifically, taxpayer dollars.

The solution, it seems, is to ensure the non-residents of the Village pay their fair share of the expenses required to keep these facilities in the fantastic shape they are kept. The Leisure Services staff is preparing a study on how much of the resident tax liability is devoted to maintenance of these facilities. Then a fair fee can be designed to offset the fact non-residents do not pay taxes in the Village.

Trying to make each individual team at least 51% residents would virtually eliminate these programs in the Village. And the work required to manage this would be overwhelming. The staff does not have the personnel to micromanage the providers of competitive teams, nor should they be required to do so.

As to the percentage of Village residents playing in these programs right now, not one is below 51%. The lowest is 54%. And that’s OK by me.

In closing I lifted this quote out of the article: “Both sides accuse each other of the same thing — putting the game ahead of the kids.” Actually, at least in my opinion, that’s not accurate. Its parents putting their issues ahead of the children.

Let's call this what it is ... a parent did not get his way (note I did not say the child didn't get his way) and now wants to punish every other child in this program as well as every other competititve program the Village sponsors.

What, you think any change is going to be limited to travel baseball? Any changes to this program and policy will affect every team run by a sports provider ... soccer, softball, hockey, football, to name just a few.

Is this what we really want? I don't think so.