Are we going to have a complete little league season or not? This has been the question that has entered many minds since Friday.
In a recent candidacy video, Lauren Carson detailed why the new Ackerman Sportsplex has not seen completion. She said while on the campaign trail, this question has been presented to her numerous times. The original hope was that the park could be completed before the Choctaw County Schools began construction on Phase II of the Charger Athletic Complex.
But, Carson’s video revealed that it won’t be completed as planned because the town’s account for the Sportsplex doesn’t have enough to complete it this little league season as planned.
She said there was $900,000 to complete the project from the sale of the old Tom Glasgow Park to the school district and the sale of the old National Guard Armory.
In an earlier reported story, the Choctaw County Schools plan to move forward with their plans for the Glass as soon as the season ends.
Many may ask why didn’t the district delay their project until the end of the season. The answer? In earlier reported stories, the agreement between the Town of Ackerman and the Choctaw County Schools was that each had an allotted amount of time to complete their projects. Which is why the original plan was to have the park completed before the season began. In the Town of Ackerman meeting, it was questioned by aldermen, with the late Tommy Curtis pushing the issue that he wasn’t confident the fields would be complete by then.
People questioned if the 2024 summer youth league season would happen. However, the agreement between the two made it possible for it to take place.
The district also has its own deadline. The baseball/softball project has to be completed before the first pitches are thrown in the 2026 season. During their meeting, Ben Sellers with Machado and Patano told the board that he was confident they could meet the deadline.
If the district delayed until the beginning of June, the work would push their deadline back and they’d be cutting it really close to completion before the first pitches are thrown.
“[Mayor] Dale [Reid] took responsibility for it. He said it was all on him and it was a lack of planning,” Carson said.
“There are things that still have to be bid out in the project and they’re hoping to get sod down so that we won’t lose the dirt that we already have out there.”
Choctaw County Summer Youth League Director James Turner said for him it’s been the million dollar question.
“I have had thousands of calls about this,” Turner said. “I haven’t been given a date and the school doesn’t have a date. They’re ready to move as soon as the last out. But they don’t know when that will be,” Which leaves a huge question mark in the minds of many parents: What happens now?
Turner said he has been in contact with Superintendent Glen Beard. “I understand there’s still paperwork and things that have to be done before demolition. I know that there are construction teams sitting on the ready.”
The hope of everyone is that the Chargers and Lady Chargers keep their momentum and have a long stretch into the playoffs. The Chargers recently moved on to Round 3 after winning a two game series over Independence. They now await their next opponent, which could be their rivals, the East Webster Wolverines.
The Lady Chargers are in Round 2 and played their first two games Wednesday and Thursday. Both games happened before press time and will be recapped next week.
The little league season was set to kick off Friday, April 25 but games were rained out. And because of game 2 in the Chargers game, some of the games were played on the old football field.
At press time, home games for Thursday and Friday were still up in the air.
“Our goal is to get to the season’s end,” Turner said. He said it’s hard for parent to not be on edge right now. But said for them, he hopes that the summer league takes precedence.
When asked if playing in Weir or French Camp would be an option, Turner said the idea has been presented to him.
“I’ve been asked about it and we can use the fields in Weir and French Camp. The town owns the old football field and we can use it are small fields for the smaller kids. It’s not idea, it’s not idea for me having to split people up like that. But, it’s an option.”
He said the season ends in the first week of June, and the timeline for when the district begins work will overlap, and it may be two to three weeks before their season ends at the most.
But, he said if one team ends before the other and they start work on one field, before the other, the summer league should still have the two small fields.
“All we need is a little space to get in and a little space to get out. Construction works ends by 5 p.m. and our games start at 6. People don’t start getting to the park by 5:30 p.m.,” he said.
He said for those worried about if the fields will be completed by next year, he said the goal is still to complete the sportsplex.
“Whether it’s the new administration or the old administration, the park is going to get done. There isn’t any way around it. It has to get done”
Turner said he’s had parents to question if the season will be able to be finished, request their money back and say they’re going to sign their children up elsewhere.
Only problem is – seasons in neighboring towns of Eupora, Mathiston, Louisville and Winona have already began.
He said before parents do that; he just wants them to hang in there.
“I appreciate everyone’s concern and support. The plan is to get this done and when it’s all said and done we’re going to squeeze in this season.
