City, Mac College reach no consensus on fields

Discussions continue between McPherson College and the city of McPherson concerning proprietorship of Light Capital Diamond after it was announced the McPherson High School teams are migrating to Grant Sports Complex.
City commissioners discussed the progress of a possible lease with McPherson College during a study session Monday. The city is looking to ensure other teams that would still utilize Light Capital, such as the American Legion and Central Christian College, would maintain access to the ball park. City Attorney Jeff Houston said the city is working with everyone involved to determine specific needs for the diamond.
“Nothing is even set in Jell-O yet,” Houston said. “Because every level has a different requirement for what the field should be, we’re trying to find out if there will have to be structural changes to it or not.”
Currently, the high school and colleges all share usage of both Light Capital and the Grant Complex; however that will change starting next season, when MHS varsity and junior varsity baseball and softball move exclusively to Grant. When the announcement was made, City Administrator Nick Gregory said McPherson College indicated it would be interested in using Light Capital as its primary field. That would leave upkeep and the determination of access to the field in the hands of McPherson College, which has led to concerns from the American Legion that its summer programs, which have long called Light Capital home, would be left in the cold.
“There was never any intention of having them thrown out,” Mayor Tom Brown said. “We’re doing everything we can to protect all parties.”
While scheduling field time is problematic at present, Central Christian’s plans for a new ball park could lighten the strain. The college has received the OK from McPherson County Commissioners to begin work toward a $4 million baseball and softball complex just north of NCRA near the college’s campus. However, Central Christian must negotiate access to the land on which it wishes to build the fields and raise funds for the project.
“The idea of these negotiations is for everybody to have a spot to play,” Gregory said. “We’ve been trying to help the Rec Commission, protect the Legion ball program and provide a place for Central College to play, at least for the next couple of years until they can put up their new ball field.”
Work on Grant is planned to be done in time for the spring season; however, it may interfere with fall practices. A schedule proposed during a June 25 study session with the McPherson City Commission would allow Central Christian to practice almost exclusively at Eickbush Field, while splitting games between Light Capital and Grant, depending on the schedules of McPherson High School and McPherson College. The American Legion still would play at Light Capital, while the Babe Ruth team would likely play at Grant if they field a team.
“The city’s biggest concern is making sure everyone has access,” Gregory said.