City may bench adult softball
Santa Rosa budget cuts would eliminate sports, recreation programs
By TRACIE MORALES
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Photos by KENT PORTER / The Press Democrat
Aric Weinzinger of Curtin Air Freight, a team in Santa Rosa’s Recreation and Parks adult softball league, waits on deck for his turn at bat during a game Wednesday at Northwest Community Park. City budget cuts may spell the end of city support for adult softball and other recreation programs.
Softball has taught many recreational athletes in Santa Rosa to persevere even if down nine runs in the seventh inning — or if a looming budget crisis threatens to take their leagues away.
“I remember our captain kept saying, ‘Don’t give up, never give up,’ ” said Rich Depp, recalling a softball championship almost 30 years ago. “This is a prime example of never giving up until it’s over.”
The City Council in November will consider a proposal to eliminate all adult and youth athletic programs, a move that would end one of the largest recreational softball programs in Northern California and a staple in Santa Rosa for more than 40 years.
“It’s been something we never thought was going to go away,” said Lawrence Solomon, whose team is sponsored by Curtin Air Freight.
City softball leagues drew 3,600 players this summer, and 1,500 signed up for fall leagues. The city’s proposal also would cancel youth soccer, basketball, T-ball and sports camps, clinics and classes for 700 children. Tennis lessons for 600 youths and 80 adults also would end.
Eliminating the athletic programs would save the city $128,000 a year. It is one of about 85 steps the city is considering to close a $10.5 million budget gap.
“We find ourselves in a totally repugnant situation,” said Assistant City Manager Marc Richardson, who oversees the Recreation and Parks Department. “We have to do what we have to do. These are the options that have to be considered by the council.”
Players such as Theresa Strickland refuse to lose softball without a fight. She and her fiance have gathered 1,000 signatures on a protest petition and launched a Web site, www.savesantarosasports.org.
Editor’s note: We encourage our readers to click the link above, and to email the city, using the link provided on the website, to speak up for softball. Please be respectful, as it is likely to be more effective that way.
She is urging softball players and the community to attend the City Council meeting Tuesday, when some proposed cuts will be discussed. The council will not be reviewing the sports proposal until its Nov. 18 meeting.
“I hate the thought that it won’t be here,” she said. “It’s a sad thing for the whole community.”
Strickland, who coaches a women’s team, said the league offers an outlet for stress, keeps people active and stimulates the economy by supporting local restaurants and bars frequented by players after games. “If there is no softball, there is going to be more people staying at home and not involved in the community,” she said.
Jonny Berglund looks forward to playing softball every week with his brother and friends. “Honestly, what can you do to get adult men involved without alcohol on a routine basis?” he asked.
Berglund said he supports raising fees as long as it’s not a dramatic increase. Fees range from $595 for a coed team to $670 for men’s fast-pitch teams.
City officials said they’ve raised fees in the past to avoid cuts, but this time would require up to a 75 percent increase.
“Our experience is that people won’t pay that,” said Eric Jorgeson, deputy director of the recreation division. “We begin to price ourselves out of being able to offer a program.”
Jorgeson said league fees generate about $150,000, which covers expenses for umpires, scorekeepers, balls, awards and lights, but not enough to pay for the two employees responsible for overseeing the sports program.
Depp said he worked for 35 years to keep the Rollmasters alive so he could see his two sons play alongside him, and now they do.
“We’re going through a financial crisis, people are worrying about losing their jobs and not providing for their families,” he said.
“You treasure the outlets you have, and one of those for my family is softball.”
You can reach Staff Writer Tracie Morales at 521-5274 or tracie.morales@pressdemocrat.com.