Fields of Despair

The debate has raged on regarding turf versus natural fields in town.   Questions have arisen regarding land usage, waste water, upsetting neighboring towns, yada, yada and more yada.

Now four years into my daughter's athletic career one thing is certain:  Madison Youth Sports fields are an embarrasment.  As I watched her Travel soccer game the other day at Green Village Road School that point was painstakingly driven home.

Remember the title sequence of "Little House on The Prairie?"  Now picture several girls trying to compete in grass thigh high, which was wet, and had some infield dirt from a shared softball field thrown in.  Naturally the ball went from barely moving to accelarated once it made the dirt. 

These girls were efforting against my hometown Phillipsburg.  Although both teams had to plod through the natural obstacle, the parents had a game going on too.  And Madison loses.  How can an affluent town like ours, with our fair share of athletic achievements in many high school sports, have such poor playing conditions?  When folks come from out of town they must wonder how we are competitive at all.

We have toured several towns during the past few years and the scoreboard does not lie.  Other towns have a commanding lead. 

I have been told next year that all changes.   Soccer and softball (not to mention lacrosse and other sports that escape me) will have the facilities they deserve.  Until then I must finish out the season like so many Cubs fans...  waiting, wishing, wanting.

Until next year...

for more please go to guidetosomewhere.blogspot.com