The Willow Glen Resident

Proposed fairgrounds expansion threatens Little League ball fields

The management assures Spartans that teams will still have place to play

By John Pancharian

Willow Glen and Lincoln Glen Little Leagues might soon have to find a new place to play their All-Star and Tournament of Champions games.

These games have been played on the Spartan Little League fields on the county fairgrounds, but with the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors showing interest in revitalization plans at the fairgrounds, organizers of Spartan Little League fear they may be left homeless.

Supervisors voted early in June to pursue the possibility of expanding activities held at the Tully Road fairgrounds and building a new performing arts center, recreation/sports center and exposition center. If that happens, developers will demolish the five fields Little League teams have used for over 35 years.

Buz Gossett, president of Spartan Little League, said he has received assurances from Fairgrounds Management Corporation CEO Art Troyer that fair managers would not leave the Little League without a place to play. Gossett said possible plans include building new fields in a different location on the fairgrounds, or else moving them to Tully Stables, on Tully Road.

"They say we're always a part of their plans, but whenever we see pictures [of the proposed expansion], we're not there," Gossett said. "I do believe Art Troyer is considering our needs. I don't believe he's ready to throw 550 kids out in the street and have all their parents come down on him."

Gossett said Troyer has not approached him with any concrete plans to relocate the Little League fields.

Richard Schooner, administrator for Little League District 59, which includes Willow Glen, Lincoln Glen and Spartan, shares Gossett's concern. "They'll do what's best for them, I guarantee it," he said.

Schooner said he takes promises of new playing facilities "with a grain of salt" because of the lack of support he says the county has shown in the past. He also believes the public-image nightmare that throwing kids off of Little League fields could create will work in the league's favor. "If we squawk loud enough, they will never hurt kids," he said.

Michele Dirickson, former Spartan president who now handles public relations for District 59, said she is worried at what price the new fields may come.

"It seems to me," she said, "that if the fields were gone they might designate a place and say 'We have a new facility we can offer; now what can you do to help with the funding?' " She said she has spoken with staffers for Supervisor Blanca Alvarado, as the county owns the fairgrounds, and with staffers for San Jose City Councilmember George Shirakawa, as the city owns Tully Stables. Her conversations, however, have not eased her mind about the fate of the league.

"If it's not an election year we don't really get a lot of support from anybody," she said.

Troyer said the Little League would not lose its facilities without others being found. "Fears that the Little League will have no place to play are unfounded," he said.

Dave Garrison, who handles the Little League issue for Shirakawa, and Sylvia Gallegos, who handles the issue for Alvarado, were not available for comment.

Dirickson said fears over losing the fields erupted once before two and a half years ago, when 500 players marched in their uniforms down Tully Road.

"People were yelling, 'Get these kids off the street. They don't belong in the street.' Exactly," Dirickson said. "If they take the fields, they won't just be in the street today."

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