The debate began about six years ago, but no winner has been declared.
Free State High baseball coach Mike Hill, hired when the school opened in 1997, recognized the problems with the FSHS baseball facility at first glance. Since then, people have become involved in the discussions about inadequate parking and bleachers, and a lack of concession stands and permanent restrooms.
Originally designed as a practice facility, the diamond was analyzed by Hill and FSHS athletic director Steve Grant.
"We identified over 20 items that were not sufficient, and that began a general discussion on the facility that's still ongoing," Hill said.
Parents continue to complain to the district about the spartan conditions. Yet, as the Firebirds begin their fifth year at the inadequate facility, deliberations about the lack of amenities have been pushed aside because of the Lawrence school district's financial troubles.
Both Free State and Lawrence High played baseball at Ice Field in Holcom Park during Free State's first year. But according to Grant, it was too difficult to schedule the games of both high schools at one field, and so the Firebirds moved to their facility.
Unfortunately, Free State's diamond has been improved only slightly since.
"Some improvements came from the school district's maintenance budget," Grant said. "Lights, bleachers, and so forth. Some stuff was done through fund-raising. People donated their time to build the dugouts, and the press box was built by fund-raising. But seating is still just not good. People bring their own chairs and that kind of thing."
Hill calls the field itself top-of-the-line, but that's as far as he goes.
"We're unable to create the kind of atmosphere appropriate for high school athletics," Hill said. "The amenities that bring people to the ball park are just not there."
With the school district being forced to cut $5.75 million from its 2003-04 budget, the Firebirds' baseball field is on the back burner. One possibility of upgrading the facility is to seek funds from the city which uses it for various events during the summer.
"We have talked about a partnership to make improvements and there has been some interest," said Fred DeVictor, director of city parks and recreation. "In the long term, it certainly is a possibility, but there's no timetable."
But that decision is out of his hands.
"It all depends on the City Commission to discuss mutual interest," DeVictor said. "It's feasible to do, but it's hard to say when it might happen."
Hill, of course, hopes the city will pitch in.
"It's a community facility that happens to be located at Free State," Hill said. "The community ought to share responsibility in improving that facility."
Denise Lane, mother of Firebird senior first baseman/pitcher Matt Lane, is in favor of city-schools partnership to transform the facility into a stadium.
"That'd be wonderful," Lane said. "It's used by all various teams city-wide, not just Free State, and they could use it more if there was more access to people."
Hill believes that if improvements were made, attendance would increase.
"There's no question the lack of amenities negatively impacts the number of people who attend games," the Firebirds' coach said.
"People complain all the time, not just during the high school season, but in the summer. Particularly people out of town say, 'This is such a nice field, but why is everything else such a mess?'"
Added Lane: "It's a beautiful ballpark, and that's why it's so sad. For the players it's a great facility, but for the fans it's just inadequate."
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