FYI - I have responded to Mr. Webster. The prices are based on surveys of neighboring communities to make sure they are "market". Dan Gladden, former Minnesota Twin that does a lot of baseball camps etc., found the prices to be most reasonable. CAK
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jason C Stone Sent: Sunday, April 17, 2005 5:57 PM To: [email protected]; Annie Young; John Erwin; Carol Kummer Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Mpls] comments on Neiman Fields from avid baseball player Some comments on the Neiman Fields from Park District 5 resident Dan Webster- forwarded with Dan's consent. He also indicated in a separate e-mail that, even if the problem with field orientation were resolved, the fields are still priced out of the range of many of the teams he plays with. Regards, Jason Stone Diamond Lake Candidate for Park District 5 -----Original Message----- From: DWebster [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, April 17, 2005 11:09 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: DFL Delegate idea... Greetings, My name is Dan Webster, and I'm a delegate for the DFL party for this election year. I'm a rookie in this process. There are a great many questions I have, but today I'm asking about a particular situation. I've been told that Nieman Fields at Fort Snelling are financially struggling, and that the costs for implementing and maintaining those fields exceed the returns. I'm looking for a way to make those fields somewhat profitable for the city. Having been a minor league baseball player, and still a good talent on any amateur level, I play in three separate metro area baseball leagues--accounting for over 50 teams. I've learned from each of these leagues' commissioners a few things, as well as having observations of my own. First, the baseball fields at Nieman were laid-out wrong from an architectural perspective, as any baseball and liability insurance agent will tell you, home plate on any adult fast pitch field needs to be on the south side of the field--preferably the southwest corner. Major League Baseball has performed many studies and concluded this is very necessary. Virtually every baseball player I've spoken with has iterated my sentiments: That those fields, as they stand, can not be considered a first choice for field usage, especially the west-facing field. We all love the care that those fields are given--it's just when a pitcher is throwing 80 to 90 MPH, and all you see is a silhouette between the hours of 6pm and sundown--that's dangerous! What players are looking for in that facility are that the fields be reconfigured to have home plate on the south ends of the field (SW and SE corners would be acceptable). Next, we wouldn't mind seeing advertising on the fences or on permenant structures there to help augment costs. After speaking with some of the soccer players and softball players that use the complex, it was overwhelming as to accepting advertising to help defray costs. If it means changing the zoning of that facility to keep it a Mpls property, but different from other parks--where we would not like to see any advertising at all--that would be great. This way, Nieman could start becoming self-sustaining financially, while more money could go toward the other parks and their needs. Not really knowing the process of getting this implemented, I just wanted to bring it to your attention. If you want, I can even draw up an architectural concept--as I'm always drawing stadiums (yes, I've even drawn up a very real stadium plan for the Twins). I've been involved with my good friend John Munger in helping with the City of Lakes Loppet, and I've seen where having these advertising partnerships are beneficial for everyone involved. I ran a company that saw a sport (Ultimate Frisbee) go from a few participants to 10,000 participants over 30 years, and having no advertising help, become a sport with over 100,000 participants with advertising help, in just the three years I ran the company. It does work, and everyone benefits. I wouldn't suggest it if there was any realm of failure to it. Thanks for your time. Sincerely, Dan Webster REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
