The following is from Doug McIntyre;  a senior softball player, and long time advocate for safer playing conditions and fields.  He is actively helping us in making progress.

THE FUTURE OF THE BASIN SPORTS COMPLEX

On Wednesday, June 1st, at 2pm, Congressman Brad Sherman presented a check for $3-million-dollars to the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks to facilitate the construction of a $22-million dollar sports/recreation/nature center incorporating the current Basin softball fields we use for senior league games.
This announcement was made by Congressman Sherman, L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, and Recreation and Parks Project Manager A.P. Diaz at a press event held at the Basin soccer field.  Special thanks to Mark Lambert for giving me a head's up about this, it was not widely advertised.

The new park will add the adjoining 30-acres of undeveloped land to the west of the softball fields and include a ranger station, community center, and multi-purpose sports facilities, including soccer, softball, and possibly even swimming and equestrian. No plans have been finalized, and it’s not clear if there are any plans at all except the goal of using the new facility for multiple events in the 2028 Olympics.

While camera crews from local news organizations were present, I believe I was the only credentialed reporter present (I am a columnist, not a reporter) working for the L.A. Daily News/O.C. Register and the Southern California News Group. I attended in both a professional as well as personal capacity.
I spoke privately with Congressman Sherman about the plague of problems we have faced at the Basin for years, specifically the infestation of ground squirrels that have turned the outfields into Swiss cheese. Additionally, I informed the Congressman we have been calling, writing, photographing, petitioning Recs and Parks, City Councilwoman Nury Martinez, his office, as well as Municipal Sports, etc., with limited (to say the least) results.

I also spoke with Mayor Garcetti.
The mayor is now personally aware of the problems we face at the Basin and the issues at Hjelte as well.

Same goes for Jimmy Kim, the Deputy Director of Recreation and Parks, the number 2 guy in the flow chart.
A.P. Diaz was also briefed on the importance of Senior Softball in our lives, the size of the program, and our desire to be included in the planning of the new facility to be built.

I asked the Mayor, A.P. Diaz and Mr. Kim what plans are in place for Senior Softball facilities during construction. (There is no start date at this time.) There also does not appear to be a plan for us. Hjelte is the obvious site. This will require aggressive follow-up.

I asked Congressman Sherman, Mayor Garcetti, Mr. Kim and Mr. Diaz how we can get regular and proper maintenance on the Basin fields today. I impressed on them the hazards we face every inning of every game. The proposed development of the flood basin into a multi-purpose sports/nature center will not happen quickly. We will still be playing our games on these fields for a year, if not longer, and as you all know, they are not safe.

And now the powers-that-be know.

A letter (with photographs documenting all these issues, including drainage issues and unusable bathrooms, etc.) has been sent to Michael A. Schull, the Director of Recreation and Parks. The head guy. A copy has been sent to Jimmy Kim, A.P. Diaz, as well as Mayor Garcetti. I will follow up with all three.
If nothing else, nobody can say they “did not know.”

Finally, Mayor Garcetti told me he wants to come out to a game. I promised if he shows up, we’ll get him an at bat, but can’t promise he won’t get hurt playing on these fields.

While it is easy and understandable to be cynical about all of this given the years of inaction, all the top leaders have responded positively to the issues presented and with assertive and consistent follow-up on our part, I believe we can finally see real improvements while ensuring a seat at the table so Senior Softball’s needs are met when the new facilities are being designed.