Several parents and league volunteers used the public comment period at the July 2 Common Council meeting to press the city for better maintenance of youth baseball fields.

Francesco Ficcioli, who identified himself as a youth baseball organizer, presented photos and a short booklet showing deteriorated fencing, holes in chain‑link, overgrown fields and damaged concessions structures. “We have paid for water slides… and dog parks,” he said, contrasting investments he said the city had made with what he described as zero city funding for organized baseball fields.

Council members and other officials acknowledged the complaints. Councilor Samantha Nicholas Motesta said volunteers and Little League parents have been doing repairs and that volunteers obtained donated turf and paint for dugouts; she thanked volunteers while noting the parks department’s mowing and maintenance responsibilities. Several council members, including members who praised Department of Public Works (DPW) response to recent storm cleanup, said they would continue to press for better maintenance and to coordinate with parks staff and volunteers.

Speakers asked the city to reallocate resources or provide more direct support for field repairs. City staff and council members requested written lists of priority repairs and said they would follow up with DPW and parks staff.