[BHS etree] SPORTS: Support A Baseball Field At Derby Street

[bhs at idiom.com]

Please do not hit reply, contact Jahlee Arakaki
<jarakaki at berkeley.edu>

SUPPORT A BASEBALL FIELD AT DERBY STREET
 
Berkeley High's athletics program, and particularly baseball, needs
your help.  If you're interested in more open space for your sons and
daughters to play baseball, football, softball, lacrosse, field
hockey, rugby, soccer, in the next year and beyond, then your show of
support is very much needed at two upcoming City Council meetings.
 
The City Council has been discussing the closure of Derby Street to
build a baseball field/multi-purpose athletic field and before this
project can move forward there is a decision to be made about whether
to split the cost of the EIR between the City and BUSD.  Your
presence, as well as writing e-mails to the City Council members to
show them you support this project, are crucial to the eventual
outcome (contact Jahlee at the address above for e-mail addresses of
Council members).
 
WHEN?
 
* Tuesday, March 21, 6:45 pm - You pick up cards if you want to speak
during the Public Comment period, and cards are set aside for children
to speak as well.
 
* Tuesday, April 18, 6:45 pm - This is the night the Council is
scheduled to vote on funds for the EIR.  Also, this is a special Youth
Night set aside especially for young people to participate in city
government--to speak and be heard--a great opportunity!!!
 
If you're shy, you don't have to speak -- just show your support by
making an appearance!!!
 
WHY?
 
*  In spring, BHS students who play baseball have to walk about 40
minutes to get to San Pablo Park for practice and home games.  They
miss 24 days of periods 4, 5 and 6 to go to away games and to play
home games (no other Berkeley High sport takes this toll academically
on its players).  It's been this way for years.  Due to the number of
girls playing sports, equal to the number of boys, oftentimes, with
spillover, girls' teams also have to walk to San Pablo Park for
practices.
 
*   It has been pointed out to both the consultants and at community
meetings that a larger field will provide much needed practice and
play space for not just baseball, but for male and female athletes
through three seasons: football, girls' field hockey, boys' or girls'
soccer in the winter, and baseball in the spring.  Further, the
community at large and its need for play and practice space would
benefit--Cal women's rugby, club soccer and  softball, Pop Warner
football, adult softball.
 
*  BHS Baseball is the only school in this area with its home team so
far away.  Albany High, with only 1,000 students overall, has two
baseball fields--one right next to the school (used for high school
softball and Little League play), and the other three blocks away at
Cougar Field.
 
CONTACT:  
  Jahlee Arakaki <jarakaki at berkeley.edu>  
  cell: 510-289-0391