Fairgrounds, site for ballfields, revisited

The Marshall County Board of Supervisors rehashed the possibility of getting an athletic program started at the Fairgrounds for baseball and soccer at the March 2 board meeting.

R.L. Isom led the charge saying he is concerned about recreation for children.

He said a Pop Warner program was started out of the Church of Christ on Hernando Road. Pop Warner is a children’s football program to get children involved in athletics, he said.

A non-profit, named I AM, was established here, he said, and Pop Warner rules were followed.

Isom said he borrowed money to pay for half the costs of uniforms and Marshall County paid $5,000.

“That’s my skin in the game,” he said. “What are we doing as far as recreation for children. First, you have to get a director.

“Are you a candidate?” asked Johnny Walker, District 2 supervisor.

“I could be,” Isom said. “We know it’s a very great need.” “I’m for it,” said Goston Glover, District 1 supervisor.

“Some people are aware we had money set aside for a softball program at the Fairgrounds,” said George Zinn III, District 4 supervisor. “It got sidelined and was to be moved over into the trees.”

“They talked about expanding,” said County Engineer Larry Britt. “You have all the room in the world.”

Britt created a design that would place four fields in the front of the Fairgrounds on Highway 7 South and in the center there would be concessions. But the design was not put into play because of conflicting views on where the facility should be located, in front of the Fairgounds or on acreage located to the north of the property beyond a ditch and trees.

“The field is almost perfect now. We had drawings. We were in the process of trying to negotiate with the city about sewer,” Zinn said.

County administrator Tim Powell asked Isom if he is talking about opening a football program to bring variety to the sports program.

“We need a variety of sports for our children,” Isom said.

Walker said he thinks there needs to be a board put together to get others involved.

“We are going to give Byhalia and Potts Camp, too,” said Terry Rodgers, District 3 supervisor.

“Hollingsworth (Byhalia mayor) encouraged our efforts,” Zinn said.

Darrel Thomas, director of the Holly Springs Parks and Recreation, joined Isom at the table.

“What are you doing out here,” Walker asked.

Thomas said the city has started up a baseball program.

“I deal with Byhalia, Potts Camp, everybody,” he said.

“Why don’t we work with the city?” Walker asked.

“A good idea,” Thomas said.

“If we put something at the Fairgrounds it’s going to shut Holly Springs down,” Walker said.

“I don’t agree with that,”

Glover said. “There’s nothing for them to do.”

“Work with the city to get these programs going today,” Walker said. “You got Byhalia and Potts Camp?”

“Byhalia just doing baseball. They just hired a director,” Thomas said.

“They are doing signups now,” said Amanda Whaley Smith, board attorney.

“I think we need to move the program back to the front (of the Fairgrounds),” Zinn said. “I think money was given to the county and use it for what it was given to the county for. My suggestion is to bring it back where it was originally set up for.”

“Why does it matter where it’s at?” Walker asked.

Glover asked why Walker cared where the ballfields will go.

“Because I’m a dirt man,” Walker said.

Zinn seconded Glover’s motion to put the ballfields in front of the arena.

Ronnie O’Neil Bennett, District 5 supervisor weighed in.

“I was looking for the future. I’m all about the children. But $1.2 million won’t build a facility out there,” Bennett said.

“I’m trying to get a school,” Walker said.

“I’ll go along with it, if it’s safe to put it out front,” Bennett said. “We have cow shows.” Zinn suggested the board meet with Bobby Sims, who had shown interest in the program.

“I think we need to go back and look at it. Mr. Walker hasn’t been here,” said Rodgers.

“Mr. Isom will be interested in working with him (Sims),” Zinn said.

“It’s for our children, but we got to look at what we’re looking at next door,” Bennett said.

“You don’t want anything out there like I played in 60 years ago,” Rodgers said. “You need four fields, and a concession stand in the middle. You are baseball and soccer in the summer and football in the fall.”

“Y’all are going to have to jump through hoops,” said county administrator Tim Powell. “We can do it. It’s not a problem.”