Posted by tankmaster (anonymous) on October 1, 2009 at 12:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Get off it Wayne.....I coached here for a long time when it was all one pool before and we had more teams and played more games, if the kids want to play the parents are going to bring them wherever they need to. Look at all the kids that play travel ball....now try to tell us the 100 kids won't play....that's a far fetched estimate, by the way how did you reach that figure? It is time to end the city-county feud and let's get a good program back together and represent this area the best we can. The main things we teach in baseball is TEAMWORK, SELF SACRIFICE and Hard Work....If Dwight is willing to put those things out there for a better program then I challenge you to do the same...Let's play some decent baseball for a change and maybe, just maybe TOGETHER we can win a District or maybe even a STATE championship once and a while.

Posted by andydog (anonymous) on October 1, 2009 at 5:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

imagine an all-star team with city and county combined... awesome.... a realistic chance to WIN

Posted by lo1an2go (anonymous) on October 1, 2009 at 7:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It sounds like people are just concerned about winning, not keeping the kids involved in sports. At one time the county had land donated for the county teams to have their own fields. What happened to that idea? With both parents working in most families it would be very hard to get from work to home and back to practice. And what about the families who have two or three playing, all on different teams? Since the coaches pick there own times to practice because of there jobs,etc. that could cause a problem. Why don't they hold a meeting to work things out rather than one or two make all the decisions.

Posted by mbishop (anonymous) on October 1, 2009 at 7:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't see where it's the city's buisness on telling us how we in the county conduct our youth sports teams. and why should kids who attend andalusia city schools be allowed to play on county teams? The city requires or at least when I played required a waiver if you went to a county school that had a team to play for the city, and guess what they didn't give them the only thing county students could play was youth basketball. The county has a good system going don't see why the city got to say something about it. Most of the kids I played babe ruth with played on J.V. and Varsity baseball with us and we just knew each other, it worked. Now I know some parents in the county might agree with this but, personally I don't.

Posted by Helper (anonymous) on October 1, 2009 at 8:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Okay, Here we go again.

All this is going back to about 10 years ago when the CITY did not want the COUNTY schools to play in their league anymore. Now the CITY is hurting for games and has had to turn to the COUNTY LEAGUES to play them so they could even make the Regional and District ALL-STAR Tournaments. So before you get on here and start in on the COunty Rec. board you need to get all fact straight that goes back more than 10 years ago. This is not an issue that started just now.

Posted by sweetnannie (anonymous) on October 1, 2009 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I really think now that anything that involves the county should be moved outside of Andalusia city limits. There is enough county residents to support a YMCA for the county. Plus someone has the land to donate. A commission should be formed to look into this. If everyone gave 2 dollars a month on the electric bill for 2 yrs, we would have the best YMCA anywhere.

Posted by christykds (anonymous) on October 1, 2009 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I live close to rose hill/antioch community and it would be a long hail to drive from work in Andalusia,then to antioch and pick up kids,then all the way back to red oak! I don't think that would be realistic!

Posted by kbklc (anonymous) on October 1, 2009 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I played ball back when the city and county combined for a year. It was never equal. And the allstar teams definitely were not either. Andalusia has the good ol' boy system and if you parents don't know so and so your kid won't play. Why can't the county just foot the bill to build some ball fields to play on in ANDALUSIA and let the kids play for their schools team. Its convenient to the parents to not have to drive to Andy to practice all the time. Come on County Build Ball fields, and lets not depend on Dwight Mikel and the city for anything!

Posted by bluecollarguy (anonymous) on October 1, 2009 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Dwight Mikels is a good fellow, and a friend. Chalmers Bryant gave Dwight the job out at the Pit BQ right out of high school, he was the elderly Parks managers assistant. That was about 35 years ago. All he knows is to 'please' the Mayor/council 'in charge' at the time, thats how he's been there so long, and receives pretty big bucks being a department head to boot. He's been good to Andalusia, Andalusia's been good to him. I'm sure when he does retire we'll still Dwight in a position at the only thing he knows, the City of Andalusia, maybe even as mayor himself...............But for now........during the construction Dwight was speaking of, use alternative fields that already exist 'all over' Covington County.

Posted by ABE (anonymous) on October 1, 2009 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have always wondered why we didn't use a draft. It seems the most fair. Since this will allow county and city parents to be coaches, I don't see the hardship only being on the county families. If a coach for a team is a county parent, then they could practice at the county facility they have always used. Yes, it may inconvenience a city family but it will work both ways. I agree with tankmaster, if kids want to play, none of us parents live so far that we can't make it work. I think our kids would all benefit from working together, learning from one another, and seeing, us as parents, be willing to work together for a better community.

Posted by no1tider (anonymous) on October 1, 2009 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Dwight Mikels does not care about the kids. He never has. Apparently several of you dont either judging by you comments on winning championships. In a time where kids have so many other distraction and sit inside all day playing video games, I think a loss of even a few kids is bad. Who cares about championships, what about numbers. When you combine the city and the county and mix up the teams, you're going to lose all of the kids that didn't really want to play, but since all of his friends were on the team he stayed with it and all of the kids who's parents don't have the time or money to drive all the way home and back to town to practice several times a week. Would you rather have those kids healthy and playing outside, or would you rather let them play some video games and not get the exercise, life lessons, and social interaction that all children need.

Posted by bluesclues (anonymous) on October 1, 2009 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Dwight Mikels is a good fellow, and a friend. Chalmers Bryant gave Dwight the job out at the Pit BQ right out of high school, he was the elderly Parks managers assistant. That was about 35 years ago. """""All he knows is to 'please' the Mayor/council"""".......(( BINGO!!!!))-------what about doing his job and not butt kissing????

Last year everytime the kids in the county practiced in the city in the afternoons during allstar season, they had to either get there earlier enough to go home before dark, or practice in the dark which was dangerous --- the county kids and coaches wernt allowed to use the city ballpark lights!!!!! they would be locked!!
Pretty SAD!..and we are suppose to depend on Dwight Mikels and the City of Andalusia ??? I think we've tried to depend on that long enough, the money for our ball feilds got SPENT one time already.

Posted by mbishop (anonymous) on October 1, 2009 at 11:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

As far as actually getting kids to practice, I know when I played alot of kids would hang around school afterwards and wait for our practice to start and because all the kids lived in the same area it was easier to car pool I do forsee some difficulty with that but i don't see how the city can tell the county that. The county pays good money to play at Johnson park every year, it doesn't affect their league so what's the big deal. The city already changed to babe ruth softball when the county couldn't making it more difficult on everyone to play each other. The city is strictly in it for themselves.

Posted by AndalusiaWatcher (anonymous) on October 1, 2009 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

..With friendship and my kindest regards....in reference to a 'ball park' being spoke of here. Let's just build one, all you need is a few acres of flat land not being farmed anymore, some security light poles, county water assess, parking and a couple of bathrooms to start, add as you go.
You don't really need the county or city for anything, no politics, we have more than enough millionaires in our County to do this small feat for our youth, form a 'committee', find an area convienient, and we'll get the money from private sources, just do it! A place to play ball is not that expensive, "I've played in corn feilds".......That's what a John Deere tractor and a blade and rake are for.....bring your lawn chairs first couple of years......and ice chests.

Posted by 3kids (anonymous) on October 1, 2009 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The county needs to do whatever to make sure that the "County Kids" have somewhere to play ball. I have children who have played ball with Cov. Co for a number of years, the ONLY reason that the city is doing this is because of the turnout that they have every year gets lower and lower. If they had only been FAIR years before, this situation would be not be like it is now. I can remember when my son played t-ball and we could only play on the days that the city did not want to play. And for a concession stand, we could not use the one that the city used, we had to pull in a "Coke" wagon and well concessions out of it. For All-Stars, you could only use a field when it was not being used by the city.
They claim that if the city and county combine, that it will be done so fairly. Well , I've seen "Fair" by the city, and if that is fair, then the county should want no part of it!!
Take a stand Covington County parents, do not let this happen!!!!

Posted by outlaw11 (anonymous) on October 1, 2009 at 6:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Johnson Park is a city sponsered and maintained park...therefore, a city taxed piece of land...the county needs to come forward and make an offer to have these games played here...it is not a war...if it is, it is only btw the council and Dwight...as far as the kids go, they should only be selected in their area to play, as the parents would be the only loosers trying to drive from point a-to-z...everyone invloved should get together, form a committee, and go to City Hall...have a sit-down w/Mayor and work these things out...only my view

Posted by lo1an2go (anonymous) on October 1, 2009 at 7:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Land was going to be donated years ago by Mr. Roland for the county ball fields. Then the city changed their mind about things and wanted the county to continue playing at Johnson Park. One reason being the county families are where they made there money. The city parents would drop there kids off and run errands or go back home to cook dinner. The county families stayed at the park and fed there families at the ball park. I know this is a old story but the building at the ball park that Dwight let a city employee stay in that ended up having Meth made in it, should have been torn down and rebuilt by money right out of Dwight's pocket. He doesn't care about the county kids. He also has way to much control of things.

Posted by BigDog (anonymous) on October 1, 2009 at 8:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just a few questions/observations..........
- Why do we wait to begin construction/discussion of construction on ball fields until the construction will run into baseball season? Wouldn't it have made a lot more sense to have began the construction immediately following the last season at Johnson Park so that it would be complete prior to the next season?
-It seems that this solution presented by the city rec. dept. has arisen SINCE the city has been losing many of its players to travel ball, leaving more average players to field the city teams.
-If I remember correctly, in 9-10 year olds last year there were 2 Pleasant Home teams, 3 Straughn teams, 1 Red Level team, and 3 or MAYBE 4 Andalusia teams......I'm sure it was much the same in the other age groups........more county teams/players than city teams/players.
-I think if we were to vote, that most city people would like to combine and most county people would like to remain separate for the reasons of both convenience (our kids practiced right after school) as well as playing with their buddies. If a county school person would like to play with the city or vise-versa (with the understanding that they would not be eligible for All Stars), let them. I bet most people wouldn't care one way or the other.
-As for the person that said "so what if a kid doesn't make the team", I pray that God never blesses you with a child or grandchild that is special needs or not athletically gifted. Just to be part of the team, no matter if they ever get to set foot on the field during a game, means so much to so many kids throughout their school years. Not to mention, sports are great motivators for many kids. Take that motivation away just because they don't possess "All-Star" ability and you will have a lot more society problems than you can shake a stick at.

Posted by winkie (anonymous) on October 1, 2009 at 9:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Would be nice if Uncle Sam donated a piece of the National Forest for the Children to use for Sport's. We give billions for corruption. Just my opinion.

Posted by lo1an2go (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 7:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What the city doesn't seem to remember is, the county residents spend there money in the city, therefore we are supporting Johnson Park with the taxes we pay. I say put it to a vote not the council and Dwight making the decisions.

Posted by flimflam (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Just for the record, Dewight is pretty good at putting it to the City folks too, seems his brother carries a little weight too when his feathers are ruffled..noticed the softball fields at the complex are sodded now...wonder how that came about? Hmmmm!

Posted by sportsfan (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 12:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To say that a man doesn't care about kids, is one of the most stupid things I have ever heard!!! First off to say something like that, you really don't know the man!! He isn't always out for his self, and I do believe he has a lot of friends who's kids go to county school!! Some of you people are just flat out idotic!!!

Posted by sportsfan (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 12:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

FLIMFLAM The complex is used by adults and kids, there are all kinds of tournaments that are put on all year to bring money to the city!! So that is a no brainer there, I would have put sod on the fields for sure!!!

Posted by flimflam (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 1:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Didn't say it wasn't used by all and didn't say it's sole purpose wasn't for raising money for the city did I? I didn't even say I was against the sodding did I? You need a little anger management there sportsfan.

Posted by flimflam (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 1:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sometimes you go fishing just to see if the fish will bite! :)

Posted by sportsfan (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 3:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Come at me like you weren't starting anything.....Please flimflam......you weren't fishing at all with your comment......HMMM!!

Posted by flimflam (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 3:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Easy sportsfan. If you're not a fish don't worry about it.

Posted by flimflam (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 3:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

.....and HMMM is right. You're as about as bright as a sack full of hammers.

Posted by BigDog (anonymous) on October 2, 2009 at 8:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

floknos....sounds like you need to get a sponsor so you can keep (or get) yourself a travel team......that way you can pick kids for your team from where ever you can recruit them from, and of course allow only the best to play. Eliteist mentality!

Why draft 20 and cut 5? Just add more teams.....OH, I forgot, you might have to allow any child to play then....that would be terrible!

Posted by thepunk (anonymous) on October 3, 2009 at 6:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You know,I never played any ball of any kind as I grewup. It's not that I wasen,t athletic.Didn,t seem to affect my carecter or outlook on life any either.I know all parents are concerned for their kids,but here is something nobody has thought of or mentioned.WHY should the people in the county that don,t have kids have their tax money spent on ball fields?That would be another Covington Arena.That would be like me asking you to support a countywide coon hunting area because I like to hunt coons.It,s a special intrest project just like the arena was for horse owners.The county is already BROKE!Just because they balenced the budget don,t mean there are unlimited funds .Special intrest projects should be funded by those that are intrested.Your pleasure or your childs should not be taken out of MY pocketbook.Ballgames,ballfields,arenas,and coon hunting facilities are wants NOT needs.THe county should only work on fullfilling the needs of it's people NOT THEIR WANTS.

Posted by thepunk (anonymous) on October 3, 2009 at 6:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey,I just went to the article about the cuts in the school,s budgets and guess what.NOT one of you concerned parents have posted a comment.More interested in ball games than your childs education,something that might actually help him or her in their adult life.I think I understand now.As long as a child has fun,don't feel left out,and you don't have to drive to far.It don't matter if their education is so poor they have to dig ditches for a living when they are adults.Come on parents ,get your head out of the ball field or what ever it's in (the sand) like an ostrich.And pay attention to what really counts!!!!!!

Posted by BigDog (anonymous) on October 3, 2009 at 9:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ummmm.....elitist means the rule or domination by a small but powerful SOCIAL GROUP made up of superior (or those who think their status makes them superior) members. Your last name wouldn't be Hitler, would it?

Maybe you should join me in sixth grade so that you can learn about the Golden Rule and basic economics...
"now you can budget money without worrying
about short falls because you know how much
money will be collected from fees to play"...........
more kids, more money from fees= less chance of budget short falls!

Bottom line is that Little League SHOULD be all about the kids learning the game and having fun, NOT some parents trying to live vicariously through their children!

Posted by BigDog (anonymous) on October 4, 2009 at 7:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Going to take my big hearted, inferior, small minded self to church.

I sure am glad Jesus doesn't limit His saving grace to a FIXED number of people who meet only certain physical criteria!

His grace is even sufficient for you. Have a blessed day.

Posted by pingbalata (anonymous) on October 4, 2009 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

For the few who dont seem to grasp the real purpose of Little League and the even smaller minded few who think it is all about selecting the "best of the best" to be allowed to participate I offer the following. This is from an article titled " The purpose of Little League". I think it is an excellent definition of what we should aspire to offer to ALL kids regardless of their athletic ability.
"Little League is a program of service to youth. It provides an outlet for healthy physical activity and training under good leadership with the atmosphere of good community, and parental, participation. It is dedicated to helping children develop into good, decent citizens and inspires them with a goal. Little League helps enrich their lives towards the day when they must take up their mantle in this world by establishing the values of teamwork, sportsmanship, and fair play.

And that is the purpose of Little League Baseball."
Richard Kaloust

Posted by whereisthecommonsense (anonymous) on October 5, 2009 at 3:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

some of the posters talk about going to church which makes me believe they consider themselves christians, if that is the case please read this and apply it to this situation, a christian would.....
Romans12:14-21
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[a] Do not be conceited.

17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[b]says the Lord. 20On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."[c] 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Posted by madashell (anonymous) on October 8, 2009 at 12:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Very easy solution to the problem. The county should fix fields at each county school and those communities field teams that compete round robin with each other and let the city have their fields. They will be begging the county to come back. Wouldn't cost the county much to do that either.

Posted by flimflam (anonymous) on October 9, 2009 at 11:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The county along with everyone else is broke if you haven't noticed. You need individuals to donate the land and donate the time and resources to build them. Can be done very easy if you can find people that will do it.