Brian Alg said:

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So for me to get records of what you are talking about, I should ask for records of meetings and communications between the city and "the baseball community" between August 1, 2023 and today?

Or is there anything more specific you remember? Or was there a presentation or something you found particularly compelling?

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Well there's CS Little League and 12 Baseball and the Bombers- but a lot of the conversation is with citizens. I don't know everyone's name and I'm not going to name people here. I think there were probably hundreds of interactions all told.

If you want to find the answer to a mystery, look into Halff Engineering. They blew the soil test and cost the taxpayer a lot of money and there's been no accounting. They passed on the cost of an Errors & Omissions policy which is designed for such engineering failures. I'm not satisfied with the progress of that and staff know how I feel. There's your mystery to get to the bottom of. May be time to play some hardball of a different kind.

I've got my grandkids for the weekend and then they leave, so I'm checking out. I'll re-engage as available.

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend in honor of those that ensured you can, yet never made it home to their families.

Respectfully

Yancy '95

Quote:

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Well there is a very vocal and supportive baseball group that apparently aren't on Texags. I'm somewhat surprised at the opposition on this thread compared to what I hear from constituents. All feedback is good though. Not dismissing anything. Just trying to reconcile two very different groups.

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I am not opposed to baseball fields that are properly voted on by residents of COCS.

However, I am opposed to providing any special field reservation to the Bombers. All the fields should be available for summer tournament play that brings in $$$$$ to out community.

I've said it before, but it's worth saying often: Thank you Councilman Yancy, for your integrity, and consistent dedication!

Enjoy your Memorial Day, and your time with the Grandkids!

99StationAG said:

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I've said it before, but it's worth saying often: Thank you Councilman Yancy, for your integrity, and consistent dedication!

Enjoy your Memorial Day, and your time with the Grandkids!

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Thank you kindly. I really appreciate it.

Respectfully

Yancy '95

Vocal minorities can be your political squeaky wheel.
As for ball fields. Some are needed.
Subsidizing private businesses? Not in favor of it.
Subsidizing private businesses that have a shady history? Nope.

tu ag said:

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Vocal minorities can be your political squeaky wheel.
As for ball fields. Some are needed.
Subsidizing private businesses? Not in favor of it.
Subsidizing private businesses that have a shady history? Nope.

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Subsidizing who? The Bombers will lease the field.

Respectfully

Yancy '95

For how much?

If an entity wanted to lease that field every weekend from Memorial Day to Labor Day, what would the process be for entering into a contract with the city to do so?

Buford T. Justice said:

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I've never attended a Bombers game.
How many people do they usually draw for a game?
After having recently seen the conditions of Travis Park, while attending a flag football game, I can't imagine that thousands of people go to these games.

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800 to 1500 per game, with an October non baseball event that generates 2,500 attendees.

Respectfully

Bob Yancy '95

I keep seeing all of these different discussions about the many different boondoggles the City gets involved in.
Many pages of discussion back and forth and the it just dies and nothing ever happens.
I vote the city should clean up one mess before starting another.

But it wasn't negotiated before an agreement was reached? I'm very confused.

trouble said:

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But it wasn't negotiated before an agreement was reached? I'm very confused.

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Agreement hasn't been reached. Staff have been instructed to negotiate an agreement and bring it to us for review.

Respectfully

Yancy '95

For something some of the citizens want, based on no research or numbers.

Transparency, councilman.

So why go ahead and announce that it's happening? What if y'all can't come to terms?

trouble said:

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So why go ahead and announce that it's happening? What if y'all can't come to terms?

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We're very close in lease terms, believe the Bombers add value to our area, and the timing was right given that our sister city and the Bombers are essentially parting ways. We were already of a mind we were going to build baseball fields, and the Bombers need a home for a short span each year. There is economic development value, albeit small, but most importantly we need baseball fields given demand, which is considerable with significant economic potential beyond the Bombers. They are but one valued tenant/user among many. If we can't come to an accord, our plans don't change. I'm confident we will.

Respectfully

Bob Y '95

whoop1995 said:

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So what is the overall plan, what is the cost, revenue and why is it kept a secret from the citizens?

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Nothing is being kept from the citizens. Baseball fields generate some revenue, but it's not a money maker. They're parks. Parks are a public good and add to the quality of life, not the bottom line. There will be rental fees for tournaments and lease fees from the Bombers, but that won't pay for the park. 7 on 7 and other events will continue to generate overnight stays and sales tax on food and beverages. Outside visitors will pay HOT taxes. Soccer events and other championship games will be played as we're eyeing a multi-sport venue…and perhaps it'll surprise us, but no one is going into this believing it'll pay for itself in direct revenues. Public parks never do.

Respectfully

Yancy '95

Bob Yancy said:

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whoop1995 said:

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So what is the overall plan, what is the cost, revenue and why is it kept a secret from the citizens?

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Nothing is being kept from the citizens. Baseball fields generate some revenue, but it's not a money maker. They're parks. Parks are a public good and add to the quality of life, not the bottom line. There will be rental fees for tournaments and lease fees from the Bombers, but that won't pay for the park. 7 on 7 and other events will continue to generate overnight stays and sales tax on food and beverages. Outside visitors will pay HOT taxes. Soccer events and other championship games will be played as we're eyeing a multi-sport venue…and perhaps it'll surprise us, but no one is going into this believing it'll pay for itself in direct revenues. Public parks never do.

Respectfully

Yancy '95

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Will the Bombers be paying as much per day for 1 game that you would receive if you rented the field for a tournament with multiple teams? It is important that these negotiations recognize that June and July weekend rates should be what we would be charging for a tournament. The Bombers should pay top dollar as a for profit organization.

Bob Yancy said:

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whoop1995 said:

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So what is the overall plan, what is the cost, revenue and why is it kept a secret from the citizens?

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Nothing is being kept from the citizens. Baseball fields generate some revenue, but it's not a money maker. They're parks. Parks are a public good and add to the quality of life, not the bottom line. There will be rental fees for tournaments and lease fees from the Bombers, but that won't pay for the park. 7 on 7 and other events will continue to generate overnight stays and sales tax on food and beverages. Outside visitors will pay HOT taxes. Soccer events and other championship games will be played as we're eyeing a multi-sport venue…and perhaps it'll surprise us, but no one is going into this believing it'll pay for itself in direct revenues. Public parks never do.

Respectfully

Yancy '95

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So go ahead and build the parks next to the other parks but why invest 15 millions on the bombers when they won't pay it back? They didn't pay back the city of Bryan.

Would you build out the exact same stadium if they were not signing a lease?

Because I have never seen a little league field with as many seats as The Bombers had in Bryan.

Psychag said:

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My son played for them 22-23 and their bus broke down several times going to Louisiana. While he had great times with his teammates, crappy way to take care of the players who make him $.

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I used to work for a local company and one day drew the short straw and had to deal with someone from the Bombers who was looking for a product to use in that stadium. I don't want to get too specific but what they were looking for amounted to several thousand dollars worth of product and they didn't want to pay for it. What they offered in kind was advertising in the stadium that was probably worth 1/3rd of the product, at best. To top it off, they didn't want to use any of their own people to work any of the logistics, transportation, or anything. The whole thing came across to me as pretty odd. I will say that the guy I was dealing with was so annoying that his schtick might have actually worked from time to time with people who were willing to cave just to stop dealing with him.

I wonder if that's why Uri is on the Board for Midtown. Same philosophy as the developer.

So now I see the reason why this effort is being promoted as "just ballfields" to we need a championship field and yes the narrative changed as it always does in politics.




Well heck let's go down the list-
College station little league - questionable tax dollars needed- no need for a championship field - just build the field if business warrants - excuse kinda weak as they will still use Bryan fields
Twelve baseball - private league - no need for tax dollars- no need for championship field just build fields if business warrants - private company - yes I know who has an interest probably be banned tomorrow
USSA - private league- no tax dollars needed - no need for championship field just build fields if business warrants -private company
Bryan bombers - no need for business as increase in other fields business will be used by all little league- 12 baseball, ussa etc. according to Bryan they will not pay bills and city of college station will not get paid back
Aggie Corp and Texas A&M club team - there are plenty of fields to play on at Texas A&M

Sorry picture didn't include Brazos christian and Allen academy but why would college station taxpayers subsidize two schools located in Bryan and catholic schools to play baseball? Weird

Don't get me wrong I love baseball but using taxpayers to subsidize it with these groups seems a bit odd when the money will never be made back.

I would be fine to build just baseball fields but a "championship field" that need more maintenance and will not be played on that much and definitely not be paid back over a traditional field - no thanks as I see just an expensive handout by the taxpayers with little return- no thanks!

Bob- since the original premise was just fields how much would it cost without the championship field aspect?

woodiewood1 said:

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dubi said:

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Quote:

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Well there is a very vocal and supportive baseball group that apparently aren't on Texags. I'm somewhat surprised at the opposition on this thread compared to what I hear from constituents. All feedback is good though. Not dismissing anything. Just trying to reconcile two very different groups.

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I am not opposed to baseball fields that are properly voted on by residents of COCS.

However, I am opposed to providing any special field reservation to the Bombers. All the fields should be available for summer tournament play that brings in $$$$$ to out community.

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i have not studied the issue enough to formulate an opinion on the "Bombers" field, but the Bombers would only be using the field about 28 evenings a year and if the taxpayers are paying for it, it should be made available other nights and times for other baseball and softball uses,

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It will truly be baseball for all.

Respectfully

Yancy '95

Bob Yancy said:

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Perhaps we should take it to the voters. We have had extensive feedback and we've had overwhelming support to this point.

Who doesn't think we need baseball fields? Please weigh in.

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In 2023, many agreed that the citizens had made it loud and clear how they felt about these ballfields with the bond vote.

https://texags.com/forums/35/topics/3389007/replies/65279729#65279729

whoop1995 said:

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So now I see the reason why this effort is being promoted as "just ballfields" to we need a championship field and yes the narrative changed as it always does in politics.




Well heck let's go down the list-
College station little league - questionable tax dollars needed- no need for a championship field - just build the field if business warrants - excuse kinda weak as they will still use Bryan fields
Twelve baseball - private league - no need for tax dollars- no need for championship field just build fields if business warrants - private company - yes I know who has an interest probably be banned tomorrow
USSA - private league- no tax dollars needed - no need for championship field just build fields if business warrants -private company
Bryan bombers - no need for business as increase in other fields business will be used by all little league- 12 baseball, ussa etc. according to Bryan they will not pay bills and city of college station will not get paid back
Aggie Corp and Texas A&M club team - there are plenty of fields to play on at Texas A&M

Sorry picture didn't include Brazos christian and Allen academy but why would college station taxpayers subsidize two schools located in Bryan and catholic schools to play baseball? Weird

Don't get me wrong I love baseball but using taxpayers to subsidize it with these groups seems a bit odd when the money will never be made back.

I would be fine to build just baseball fields but a "championship field" that need more maintenance and will not be played on that much and definitely not be paid back over a traditional field - no thanks as I see just an expensive handout by the taxpayers with little return- no thanks!

Bob- since the original premise was just fields how much would it cost without the championship field aspect?

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$12m for just 3 standard fields. Approximately $5m more to make a multi-sport champ field out of one of them, and probably $2m more to make two of the existing softball fields "convertible" to both softball and baseball. We have awarded a sports field architect to design this, and we have created a committee of local sports stakeholders/citizens to meet and give feedback on the design. That process is happening now, so a lot of this is dependent upon what comes out of that committee.

As one member of council, I'm interested in having a champ field for soccer, 7 on 7, softball, baseball- as many sports as possible. I think it's fair to say there is appetite for that among council, but we all want to know the true cost before making that final decision. The architect will likely provide options with a cost breakdown, and that will come before council, with a public hearing, for a final vote.

Your current approved FY24-25 budget includes $12,000,000 for "city baseball fields" along with $600k for Veterans Park Athletic Complex (VPAC) improvements, a parks citywide revolver of $2.5m, and $1m in unassigned "future amenities" for a total of $16.1m that could go to this project were it the council's decision as expressed by the will of the voters.

Upgrading one of the 3 budgeted fields to a champ field and converting two existing VPAC softball fields to baseball compatible would require a (very) approximate $20m, so we are looking at adding $4m to the budget to accomplish all of the above, if that's the decision.

That's shotgunning on my part. The architect will rifle out the actual estimated number and my colleagues/staff may interpret the budget allocations differently. This WILL be a part of the upcoming budgeting process and you WILL get a chance to weigh in.

According to the city's website, we have 9 baseball fields. I think most of those are rudimentary chain link backstop fields. At 130,000 in population, that's a ratio of less than 1 field per 10,000 population. It's actually only .7 fields per 10,000 citizens. Texas wide and nationally, that's an extremely low number. It's really hard to understand how with so many parks, we have so few baseball fields.

Franklin exceeds that, and they fill them up. As the popularity of baseball soars, and massively so in our area, my thoughts are it is time for a significant investment in baseball.

Despite the critical voices on this thread, which I respect and listen to keenly, the support for more baseball that I hear from constituents far exceeds those opposed herein.

Respectfully submitted

Yancy '95