A Northwest Santa Rosa baseball tradition is facing a major curveball this season as school expansion projects take over local playfields.
Per the Press Democrat, construction crews at James Monroe Elementary have broken ground on new transitional kindergarten classrooms, a move triggered by recent district-wide school closures. While the project keeps Santa Rosa City Schools in state compliance, it has resulted in the loss of a primary baseball diamond used by Santa Rosa American Little League for nearly 30 years.
League President Chris Ule says the loss affects upwards of 50 teams and over 750 young athletes. To save the season, the league is racing to raise $150,000 to convert an existing T-ball area into a full-sized field.
While the district is assisting with infrastructure like electrical and backstops, the league still needs over $100,000 in donations to avoid cutting its T-ball program entirely when the season begins in late March.
