Charlotte-Mecklenburg Co. Parks & Rec. Should be Ashamed and Embarassed!

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Parks & Recreation Dept. should be ashamed and embarassed for the lack of proper planning, organization and presentation of the Olympic softball game held at Renaissance Park.

How often does a city get to host an event featuring any type of Olympic team? Not very often. I was very dissapointed that a "world class city" such as Charlotte could not provide facilities that were better prepared to host such an event. There were probably close to 3000 people in attendance and I heard over and over again people complaining about the complex and the field. (The game was great, however!)

For example, the outfield grass had not been cut and there were clumps of clover growing 3-4 inches tall all in the outfield. The foul lines in the outfield had not been painted in who knows how long and you could barely see them. The dugouts were so small, the some of the players had to stand outside the dugout while their team was at bat. The PA system was just terrible. If you weren't standing directly behind the backstop, you couldn't understand a word that was said. The lighting on the field was just awful. There was barley enough lighting and so many shadows it was difficult to see anything from much of a distance. There was one bathroom open and only a few port-a-jons (none in the outfield where more than half fans were watching) and the line for the women's bathroom wrapped around the concession stand at one point. If you wanted to watch the game from the outfield bleachers, you had to jump a chain link fence to get to and from the spectator area in the outfield. Quite a few fans were hurt or tore clothing trying to jump the fence. There were also no garbage cans in the outfield section (what a mess).

You would think that in a city a large as Charlotte, the Parks & Rec. Dept. would have a better facility to hold an event such as this or at least planned better. Could they have not at least cut the grass and painted the foul lines? Based on the game being sold out for over a week, couldn't there been better planning for the crowd? How long has it been since the bulbs in the lights been changed? Did anyone think about renting a PA system for a night? I have seen high school fields that were better prepared and much nicer (Alexander Central & North Davidson for example.)

The Charlotte-mecklenburg Parks & Rec. Dept. should be ashamed and embarrassed. When is someone in Charlotte or any city going to get off their rear ends and push for a complex like that is in Raleigh or better yet, Salem, Va.? The demand is there and a nice softball complex would be profitable to anyone who builds it.

With all this said, the game was great and fun to watch. Congratulations to the ASA for bringing this game to NC and also to Coach Chandler and all the Cardinal team. I'm sure those west coast girls didn't anticipate the talent level they played against. You should all be proud. :xyzthumbs :applause:

 

My thoughts exactly!

That was awful! The field had a 4-6 inch in front of the pitching area!. The lights were so bad. The P.A. announcer did not even know how to pronounce the names correctly! I could go on and on, but Homer hit so true. It was a disgrace!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

to think at one time.....many moons ago that facility Was one of the best around. CM rec stinks but i know they had their "hand out" wanting all the $$$$$ and failing to holdup on their end of the deal as usual.

 

FIELDS

I told Weeks at Burlington that if everything held to be ,the fields at Ren. are the WORST in Charlotte. Parks and Rec. did not disappoint me in showing how poor a job from marking the field wrong (batters Box ) was set for slow pitch, Holes in the infield,poor lights (dark spots all over the place) PA system should have had someone just standing at the field and shouting, and as CC said couldn't even say the names correctly. To bring the BEST TEAM in the World to your city and not spend 500.00 to make things look professional is a disgrace. The bright spot was local girls got to play and be on the team that played the BEST.These Memories can't put a price on them. It looked as if when the 5th came they just said lets get out of here. Lisa was only throwing 59-61 for the first few innings and then she turned it up at above 65 to 66 the last few . I saw this on the gun that USA manger was clocking her each throw. Hope we can get them back in a few years ,but let's try to have them play at a place they deserve. Enough said !!

 

I wasn't too happy about the facilities either. It was like a 40 watt bulb for a whole living room in there. And from right field I wasn't able to hear the names of the local players so I could see who was making the great plays. The one girl that got the hit has to be on cloud nine today. GO USA!!

 

Why all of the complaints

I do not understand why everyone is complaining. A few decisions were made that I admit were not very well thought out. I know the gentleman that was responsible for putting the field together and what he did was amazing with what he had to work with. And he did it to the specifications the Olympic team sent him.

Anyway, where else could you fit 2700 people? Yes that is how many people attended. We do not have the facilities in this area to handle a softball game of this magnitude. If you stop and think about it, were could we have gone? One of the USC complexes? But then you would have to drive to get there...out of state. If you want to complain, get the local government to support the parks and rec and build this type of complex.

By the way, was anyone watching the faces on the little girls that got to meet the Olympic team and the Cardinal All-stars. Do you really think it was about how great the field was. To them it was fantastic to see girls they look up to take the time to talk to them and sign autographs. Many compliments were given to coach Chandler on how nice the Cardinal All-stars were. I saw a different game last night. Think of the positive things that have happened to the young girls in the area. And be glad you were one of the 2700 people. Without Bert Weeks, good decisions or not, we would not have had this opportunity.

 

agree with you on the positives that came with this game .....man ole man....what a great inspiration for all in attendance(especially the young ones who play).

note: 1) welcome aboard Cardinal Fan and we hope you enjoy our little networking softball community!

2) two missed practice (excused) to be there yesterday and loved it!!

3) parents who attended with those young players had nothing but good things to say about the evening!

4) most should not know that this is Columbus,GA

great job by ASA, weeks, caldwell, ray and all those involved in Getting the TEAM USA in too North Carolina in the first place!! :applause:

to the all stars (cardinals) :applause: :xyzthumbs

 

Who?

was on the NC roster who compterd against them PLEASE?????? :applause:

 

you must have missed it in yesterday's paper and i have no link available.

i am just thankful for whatever one can do to promote the sport that affects alot of our young female athletes across NC.......not to mention the nation

close as Most will get to seeing or being an Olympian who respresents the good ole U-S-A !!!!

sorry "O" but time for practice!

 

Cardinal Fan- I agree with you completely. I had my own 9 year old daughter and her friend in attendance and they had a blast and so did I. They know one of the Cardinal players well and they were so impressed to see her on the field.

My original comments were directed more the the administration of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Parks & Rec. Dept. Years ago I worked for that dept. and I know first hand how some of the funds were not allocated appropiately. Also how many opportunities does a community have to hold an event such as this? That administration always wants to know whats in it for them ($) rather than what can they do to properly promote sports in the area. FYI, the NSA no longers plays their tournaments on Char-Meck fields due to just that. If there had been a Johnson C. Smith University event held at that complex, the money would have been spent to have it ready. Was UNC-Charlotte softball field considered?

Again my compliments go to the ASA, and the Cardinal team for organizing and playing the game. The game, the players and just feel of the event were great. :xyzthumbs