Old Settlers Park Sports Complex Improvement Project : baseball

Date for baseball complex grand opening set

Terri Waggoner — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 14:50:00 GMT

Mark your calendar for Saturday, March 28. The City of Round Rock and Round Rock Baseball League will celebrate the grand opening of the baseball complex at Old Settlers Park followed by a day of baseball play. Right now, the date is set. I'll post more updates when they are available!

Round Rock Baseball League website and update

Terri Waggoner — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 21:16:00 GMT

Well, the NEW Round Rock Baseball League (RRBL)now has a website: http://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=rrbl. Bookmark the new website now so you can keep up with updates from the league and be ready for Spring ball.

RRBL is currently developing the operating budget for the spring season and still has openings on the board. Contact Rusty Charleton at 658-5887 or visit the website to get involved!

http://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=rrbl.

If you are looking for minutes from previous board meetings, they are available on the website as well. Here's the link to the July minutes. August board minutes weren't approved since there wasn't a quorum at the Sept meeting. http://www.leaguelineup.com/rrbl/files/20080731RRBL.pdf

June Round Rock Baseball League meeting minutes

Terri Waggoner — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 20:12:00 GMT

The Round Rock Baseball League (RRBL) met on July 31. The group is working to secure a webhost and then get their webpage up and running soon. Just as soon as the page is up, we will let everyone know the link.

Other discussion items included the rules of governing the RRBL, League software to help with registration and scheduling, concessions and officer elections.

The board is still looking for volunteers for a variety of league tasks. Please contact the Rusty Charlton if interested. July minutes will be posted after approval at the Aug meeting.

Board Minutes

Entire park isn't closed, just the baseball and softball complex

Terri Waggoner — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:09:00 GMT

Come out to Old Settlers! Only the baseball and softball complex are closed during construction and renovations for the Sports Capital Improvement Project. We have been getting calls from concerned residents. The entire park is not closed, only the baseball and softball complex. Residents and guests can still enjoy the Rock'N River family aquatic center, park trails, the lake, volleyball courts, disc golf course, picnic areas, playgrounds, tennis courts, soccer fields, football fields and pavilions. If you have any questions, call 512-218-5540!

Reminder: Baseball and softball fields close for renovations on July 21

Terri Waggoner — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:05:00 GMT

The City of Round Rock Parks and Recreation, the Round Rock Baseball League and Sertoma Girls Softball league representatives met on May 14 and supported the postponement of fall baseball and softball play to accommodate construction of the Old Settlers Park Sports Complex Improvement Project. This is a reminder that with the exception of any previously scheduled tournaments, July 21 is the closing date for the entire baseball and softball complex at Old Settlers Park.

The park will reopen in phases. The new girls softball complex is under construction currently and set to open in November 2008. The baseball complex is expected to be complete in February for Spring ball 2009.

If you haven't been out to Old Settlers Park in awhile, you'll see the shade structures and bleachers are installed at the Southwest and Northwest Complex, two softball fields have been converted to baseball fields at the Northeast complex, lights and fencing is complete at the new Girls Softball Complex and the foundation and walls for the concession and restroom facility at the softball complex is complete. Progress is occuring daily and this closure on July 21 will allow construction to move quickly and safely! For more information on the Sports Complex Improvements visit www.roundrocktexas.gov or call Round Rock Parks and Recreation at 512-218-5540.

First Meeting the Round Rock Baseball League Board

Terri Waggoner — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:40:00 GMT

How exciting! The first Round Rock Baseball League Board of Directors Meeting is on June 26 from 7 pm - 9 pm at the City's McConico Buildling, Community Room. ( 301 West Bagdad ).

Agenda:

Ratification of ByLaws
Election of Officers
Election of Board Positions
Other Business
Meeting Schedule

Old Settlers Park Baseball Fields to close for Sports Complex Improvement Renovations

Terri Waggoner — Fri, 16 May 2008 20:24:00 GMT

Fall Baseball and Softball League Play Postponed

The entire baseball and softball complex at Old Settlers Park will close on August 3, 2008.

“A project of this magnitude and scale normally takes about two years, but we are producing rapid results in a one-year period as we invest in the Sports Capital of Texas,” Parks and Recreation Director Rick Atkins said. “The support we’ve received from the affected leagues plays an integral part in the success of this project. While the closure isn't until August 3, we want to provide baseball and softball participants ample awareness of the impact on the fall season.Working together, we know the future benefits will exceed the current setbacks.”

All leagues affected by the Old Settlers Park construction closure met to discuss the impact construction would have on the park and availability. “After meeting with a group of representatives from across the various affected leagues, we all agree that this minor setback will have a major benefit for our community,” The Round Rock Baseball League President Rusty Charleton said. “The City is investing in the future of baseball and softball in Round Rock and this closure is part of the fast track approach the city is taking. While this may impact us temporarily, the benefits will come back tenfold.”

“The park closure is necessary so we can complete this construction and have an even better facility,” Old Settlers Express President, Fred Ramirez said. “Baseball is very popular in this town and beyond as it’s a family pastime and a great method to get children to go outside and exercise.”

While construction is scheduled to take place in public areas including the concession and restroom areas, safety is a main priority. “I agree that safety is a main concern with these renovations,” Round Rock Youth Tournament Director, Rick Stevens said. “If we have heavy construction equipment out and about, we don’t need children at play. In addition, it will allow the Round Rock Baseball league some extra time to finalize our unified league before league play reconvenes.”

“In my experiences, construction and children don’t mix,” Charleton said. “We don’t need bulldozers, man holes, netting and children out in the complex during these final stages and massive renovations.”

“I strongly support the new complex renovations and the city has given us their most current information during our joint meetings,” Faith Zimmerman Commissioner of Round Rock Sertoma Girls Softball league said. “I expect this new complex will make us the premier facility because we’re going to knock their socks off! We are willing to salvage part of our fall season in expectation of future success. A delayed fall season is one solution we’re currently planning.”

The Old Settlers Park Sports Complex Improvement Project is on a phased construction schedule with various parts of the complex set to re-open at different times. Funded by Certificate of Obligation Bonds and the Capital Spending Plan, the $18.2 million improvement project renovations will result in the upgrade of 20 fields at Old Settlers Park and construction of five new fields.

Project highlights include lit batting cages, enhanced spectator seating, championship fields with a warming track and bull pen, additional playgrounds and tailgate islands at the park.

Developments are underway. Shade structures and bleachers are installed at the Southwest and Northwest Complex, fencing has been moved back in the Northeast Complex, lights are up and grading is complete for the new Girls Softball complex and the concrete is poured for the concession and restroom facility at the softball complex with progress occuring daily.

For more information on the Sports Complex Improvements visit www.roundrocktexas.gov or call Round Rock Parks and Recreation at 512-218-5540.

Time to vote - Board Elections The Round Rock Baseball League

Terri Waggoner — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:18:00 GMT

It's time for elections, and both OSE and RRYB are bringing the voting to you! At your closing ceremony, held at the ball fields, you'll be able to cast your ballot.

RRYB Closing Ceremonies date has changed to Monday, May 19 due to rain cancellations.

OSE Closing Ceremonies will be on Friday, May 30 at 6:30 pm with elections open from 7 pm - 9 pm.

If you have any questions, please call Rusty Charleton at 658-5887.

Applicants:
Phillip Bailey
Brian Birdsell
Naomi Esquivel
Roberta Garcia
Jeff Himmelright
Gail Johansen
Elsa Orozco
Gregory Parker
Fred Ramirez
Carolyn Ramos
Joe Ramos
Bobby Sieferman
Daniel Spells
Jule Vasquez-Martinez
Mike Whelan
Heath Wooley
Kelly Wooley

Round Rock Baseball

Terri Waggoner — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:16:00 GMT

On Wednesday, January 16, a name was given to the new unified baseball league. Keeping it simple and easily searchable for someone wanting to find out about baseball in our town, the league representatives unanimously agreed that "Round Rock Baseball" would be the best name going forward. Congratulations to Felix Lopez who was the first person to submit this name to the blog and is winner of the naming contest.

The league representatives worked with Barry Silverberg on compiling the data needed for the 501c3 non-profit status requirements on Wednesday and further discussed the election process to get officers for Round Rock Baseball in place.

The current plan is to nominate 2 people from OSE, 2 people from RRYB and 1 from Sam Bass to run the elections for the board in the interim and get the new organization up and running with full elections in the Spring. The team has worked very hard to get this far and progress is definitely taking place!

Also, don’t forget the groundbreaking for the Sports Capital Improvement Project is Friday, January 25 at 4 pm at the location for the new girls' softball complex. We hope to see you there!

Groundbreaking for Sports Complex Improvement Project Jan 25

Terri Waggoner — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:45:00 GMT

Join the City of Round Rock, Mayor Nyle Maxwell and the sports community as we celebrate the Groundbreaking for the Sports Complex Improvement Project on January 25 from 4 pm - 5 pm at the North East Complex.

Athletes are encouraged to come and help us as we break ground on this project which includes many renovations to our current ball fields and a softball complex.

Project Highlights
4 lit batting cages at each complex
Drainage detention pond to help with runoff
Championship field – warming track, terraced bleachers, bull pen (all but SE complex)
Playgrounds
"Tailgate Islands"

As previously promised, here is the current timeline for the sports complex improvements. Since it is a phased construction schedule, different parts of the complex will re-open at different times.

In mid-January – start Girls Softball Complex which will open in Fall of 2008.
NW and SW complex close in January 2008 to be complete June 2008.
Everything is open from June –Sept to cover summer tournaments and play.
Sept 2008-Feb 2009 the SE complex closes.

Please see the map below for further clarification.

For more information, call Round Rock Parks and Recreation at 218-5540.

It's name time

Terri Waggoner — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 19:29:00 GMT

Well, we received more than 140 name submittals for the new organization through this blog. If you scroll through all the comments below, you'll see that we had a lot of creative ideas coming in.

As 2008 gets into full swing, the baseball representative's meetings will reconvene next Wednesday night and they will begin the process of selecting a winner of the contest. If you submitted to the contest, hang tight and we'll let you know the final results when a winner is chosen!

Baseball Construction Phase B

Terri Waggoner — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 19:51:00 GMT

At the city council meeting on December 6, council approved the contract for Journeyman to begin Phase B construction for the girls' softball complex and upgrades. We expect construction to begin after the first of the year and will post a construction schedule when it is finalized.

And the naming contest is still underway. So far we have 42 posts for the naming contest! If you think of a name, there's still plenty of time to submit before the December 21 deadline.

Baseball registration, league name contest and ballfield improvement update

Terri Waggoner — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 20:34:00 GMT

The team of representatives and board members from each baseball league has been working diligently with Barry Silverberg to get the final legal details of non-profit status together. While the new organization is not complete, we realize its time to start registering for spring baseball!

To simplify the spring registration process, parents interested in registering their children for baseball will go ahead and register with Round Rock Youth Baseball, Sam Bass Baseball or Old Settlers Express Baseball as done in the past. Please contact your league directly to get early registration information. The new unified league, which has yet to be officially named, will take registrations in the summer and fall.

We need a NAME!
We keep calling this new league we’re forming the “unified league” or “new league we’re forming.” It needs a name! The current leagues have pitched in to create a $100 cash prize for a league naming contest.

How it works: Submit your league name idea as a comment to this blog post. When you register for the blog, we’ll have your name and contact information, therefore if your league name is selected we can contact you and give you the $100 prize. The contest runs from today through 5 pm December 21.

The current group of team representatives and board members that have been working on the unified organization process will select the winning league name at a meeting in January. In the event that two people submit the exact same winning name, the first person to submit the idea to the blog post will receive the $100 prize. This contest is open to participants of all ages, so put your thinking caps on and let’s come up with a great league name!

Ballfield Improvement Update
At the November 21 City Council meeting Chasco was awarded the contract for Part A of the construction project. This includes all the water line, sewage and parking lots. Construction is to begin approximately January 1. The city is in the final negotiations on the contract for Part B which is the beginning of the field renovations and girls softball complex upgrades. The city hopes to announce the final construction schedule soon. This project is going to make our ballfield complex one of the premier facilities in Texas! We’ll keep you updated on developments.