New youth-league leaders introduced as city stresses cooperation over field monopolies

At the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting, three youth-sports representatives introduced new leadership and outlined fall plans while staff warned that limited fields and parking will require cooperation among leagues.

Chrissy Blystone, who identified herself as president of Lago Vista United Baseball and Softball (LVUBS), described the leagues recent competitive successes, apologized for scheduling issues this spring and said the organization offers scholarships to help children participate. "Our league has always been about more than baseball and softball," Blystone said, noting work with the school district on lower-field rehabilitation.

Steven Westella introduced himself as the new executive director of Lago Vista Soccer Club and said he expanded club offerings from younger age groups through U19 to allow more players to stay and train locally. "We are currently, we are a rec club ... What I am trying to offer is a rec level as well as a competitive level," Westella said.

Brian Pinnell said North Shore Little League will launch an inaugural season this fall, fielding players from 4 to 12 and adding a Challenger Division for children with special needs.

Committee members raised concerns about one organization monopolizing field time. David explained there is a long-standing right-of-first-refusal for LVUBS on one upper field tied to past maintenance and use, but he emphasized that preference is not exclusive and that the city will not favor one group over another: "The city will never engage in anybody's dogfight," he said. He urged leagues to coordinate so general public access is preserved.

The committee also debated parking constraints at Sunset Park. David said the existing parking lot provides 91 spaces and warned that expanding amenities such as lighting or additional fields would require trade-offs with parking because of high costs to add infrastructure.

The city did not adopt new scheduling rules at the meeting but asked leagues to keep communication open and invited them to help promote a forthcoming parks-survey to inform master-plan priorities.