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Overrides REC board decision: Council allows boys to play on team

Managing editor

Babe Ruth baseball rules were changed a few years ago which resulted in a group of boys not being able to play together. Marion Recreation Commission, a volunteer board that oversees the baseball program, determined the boys should not be given an exception and should play with their appropriate age group.

At the end of discussion, Marion City Council agreed the boys should play together and overrode the decision made by the REC board.

It began three years ago, when the Babe Ruth league changed age requirements of players. Players on the 13-year-old team had to turn 13 by May 1. Previously, Aug. 1 was the mark. With this change, three boys were not eligible to play with their team this year.

Alex “Casey” Case, coach of a 13-year-old Babe Ruth team, asked Marion City Council Monday to supersede a decision made by Marion Recreation Commission.

He said he did not like having to go above the REC board’s decision but believed in this case so strongly, he was willing to do so.

According to Case, he and his assistant coaches followed the bylaws of the Babe Ruth League by receiving permission from Marion Babe Ruth League President Russ Busenitz and David Branson, who is an assistant state commissioner of the league for 12-year-olds to allow the boys to “play up.”

The three 12-year-old boys, Taylor Heidebrecht, Zach Robson, and Bret Voth, have been playing on the same team for the past eight years, Case said.

“We’re grooming our teams to play Marion High School baseball,” Case said.

He continued that the REC board was not allowing these boys to play together because of the rule change.

It was determined the city council has the authority to veto decisions made by appointed commissions and committees.

Before the council made the unanimous decision, they asked REC director Margo Yates for her input since there were no REC board members in attendance at the meeting.

Yates said she did not want to disrespect the REC board and she had been trying to work out the issue.

“In the beginning it was a numbers issue,” Yates said.

The situation would have left 16 players in the 12 and under group, which are too many for one team but not enough for two teams.

“I don’t like to tell kids ‘no’,” Yates said. “If I can work it out, then that’s what I want to do. I’m willing to work a little harder to make it work for these kids. I’ve pleaded every case in the book. I’m not sure where the REC board is coming from.”

Councilman Stacey Collett asked if the REC board had bylaws, written down in “black and white.” Yates said she was not sure.

Councilman Steven Smith said when he was former president of a former baseball organization; there always had been “heat” between the REC board and the baseball commission.

Case said he found out three or four years ago that the REC board had the authority to run the baseball commission.

When asked how REC became the authority over the baseball commission, Branson explained the process.

A number of years ago, there was a REC board but it was not affiliated with baseball. As Branson recalled, the city approached the athletic association and asked if it wanted to come under the city so fields could be expanded and programs improved. At that time, the city wanted the baseball and softball programs to remain separate from the city. Branson then was hired as director of the program.

Problems arose, Branson said, which resulted in a new recreation commission being formed and board appointed. Because of the shake-up, the baseball commission reported to REC.

“As far as I know, the city never gave REC authority to operate the baseball commission,” Branson said.

Case said he recalled when REC said the baseball commission was not doing a good enough job, so REC took it over.

He continued that research of city commission minutes revealed a chart that showed the baseball commission and REC having equal authority.

“The city is funding this. We should have something to say about it,” said Councilman Bill Holdeman.

Mayor Mary Olson asked the council to consider a special meeting with REC board members to resolve this. Reaction from other council members indicated they wanted to resolve the issue.

City Attorney Dan Baldwin asked why the city doesn’t consider separating the baseball program from the REC program? Mayfield responded he would have to hire additional people to oversee the operation of the program.

Councilman Gene Winkler said he did not think the city needed to take over the program.

With that, the council approved allowing the three ballplayers to play on the team of 13 year olds.

Last modified April 22, 2009

 

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