When a field of dreams becomes a nightmare

SeattleTimes ^ | May 20, 2003 | Ashley Bach

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When David Kelly's two children discovered baseball two years ago, he responded in a way few parents can. He built a regulation Little League field near his Issaquah home, open to blooper singles and shoestring catches from his son and daughter at any time. For more than a year, he leveled off and seeded an old horse pasture on his mother's 30-acre property. With little experience in baseball, he measured a diamond at a nearby park and laid out his own infield, complete with bases, dugouts and a fenced backstop.

With ballfields in short supply in Issaquah, Kelly's children's and nephew's Little League teams practiced at the field a few times a week over two seasons. They ate grilled hot dogs and hamburgers after taking grounders, and one night, they slept in the outfield under the stars.

But the field has been empty since April after city officials told Kelly he may need a permit and could be fined if the teams use the field in the meantime.

For Kelly, it's the ultimate injustice.

"Here I am trying to do something good for the community and the city of Issaquah is anti-sports, anti-children," Kelly said. "They're just ridiculous."

The city says it's only trying to ensure the diamond is safe and legal. Officials say they've received complaints about the field, and questions have been raised about a gravel parking lot next door and the field's use for official Little League practices, both of which could require a permit.

"It was our understanding that the use was for (Kelly's) friends and family, and from our observances, it appears that some organizations are using it," said David Favour, a city planning manager.

It's unclear what permit, if any, Kelly would need, Favour said. But one possibility is a site-development permit that would cost $500 and address potential impacts on traffic and the environment, he said.

Kelly, 41, said he's fighting the city on principle and planned to speak at last night's City Council meeting, accompanied by some parents and children. "I refuse to play the city's game," he said. "Pretty soon we're going to need a permit to mow our lawns."

Issaquah and Sammamish, where new homes pop up regularly, both have a shortage of ballfields for children. Issaquah Little League officials say 83 teams must rotate among about 10 or 12 fields each week.

Kelly's homegrown field was insured and in good shape, League President Brad Arbaugh said. Now both teams that played there are out of the rotation and must find other practice times.

Kelly's field "took a lot of pressure off us," Arbaugh said. "It's a shame that the city and David can't get together and come to some compromise."

Kelly isn't the first person to build a diamond for kids on his property. Brad and Leslie Wolgamott, a couple from Sammamish, opened a field in North Bend for local use last summer.

Kelly isn't nearly as wealthy, and traded with friends for equipment and materials to finish his field. He runs a sign company on his mother's property and helps maintain a horse farm his parents used to operate.

Parents and coaches say they miss the freedom they had on Kelly's property.

"It's all about having fun for the children, a great experience," said George Thompson, the coach of the A's, Kelly's children's team. "We had people this year say, 'I wish I was on your team.' "

"Here we are going to the playoffs next week," he added, "and we have nowhere to practice."

Ashley Bach: 206-464-2567 or abach@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2003 The Seattle Times Company

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In the country that used to be America.

[Arkie2]

The city is worried about lawsuits. The lawyers are a devouring horde and must have some limits placed on them or we can kiss any ability to do anything without looking over our shoulder goodbye.

[newwahoo]

I thought this was about the Mets...

[FourPeas]

It's unclear what permit, if any, Kelly would need, Favour said.

"Mr. Kelly, we think you might possibly, maybe, perhaps, potentially, under some warped interpretation of the law need a permit. But we really don't know. So since you have no idea and we don't either, don't you dare let any little 'chilrun have any fun on your field or we'll fine you."

Government of, by and for the people.

[Cachelot]

It's unclear what permit, if any, Kelly would need, Favour said. But one possibility is a site-development permit that would cost $500 and address potential impacts on traffic and the environment, he said.

Translation: until you pay us a bribe, you can't use your land.

[Tunehead54]

Translation: until you pay us a bribe, you can't use your land.

---

Next the assessor will be out to double the property value due to the improvement to double their property taxes. Property taxes are the worst - pay the government or lose it.

;-(

[Drew68]

The city says it's only trying to ensure the diamond is safe and legal.

No wonder kids today are so fat. All physical activity has been deemed "dangerous" unless a myriad of codes can be met.

[jra]

LOL @ Mets.

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Translation: until you pay us a bribe, you can't use your land.

We need to know who is really in charge here. What an abuse of power.

[thegreatbeast]

The city has nothing to do with this field so how could they be made liable? Besides, the field is insured according to the article.
'Kelly's field "took a lot of pressure off us," Arbaugh said. "It's a shame that the city and David can't get together and come to some compromise." '
Kelly does not have to compromise with these bureaucrats. They have to get their noses out of his business. This is un-American, this kind of meddling. And you know it's about money, about shaking this man down for a few hundred dollars.

[scooter2]

All of your land belong to us.

[Blood of Tyrants]

All we have to do is kill the next 100 or so lawyers who file stupid lawsuits and the rest would get the message.

[Doug Loss]

No they wouldn't.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Then kill the next 100. Either the lawyers will get smart or get dead.

[Golan Trevize]

I read this in the paper while at lunch. Should have known that some enterprising Freeper would post it first...

Does there exist a better parable for the utter innanity that is bureaucracy? We are told constantly in this area that government needs more money in order to maintain basic civic functions like parks and roads and on and on and on... Yet here is one individual doing something to solve a problem that is known to everyone and he is asking nothing in return except to be left alone to enjoy helping these kids out - only to have some bureaucrat come stumbling in like a bull in a china shop, destroying an all upside, no downside situation for everybody.

It's so unbeleiveably boneheaded that one is tempted to think that they're doing it for some sinister unseen purpose.

On the bright side, I would encourage anyone reading this to follow the link to the article and check out this guy's "No Tresspassing" sign. It's priceless.

[Golan Trevize]

Possibly of interest to your Washington state ping list?

[sine_nomine]

Build it and they will sue!

[El Gato]

the city of Issaquah is anti-sports, anti-children,"

Nah, just the typical anal-retentive BS that government bureacrats are famous for. "It says here in paragraph 6.2.3.2.12.4 of Title XXXIX of the Municipal zoning code, that you must have a permit to operate a recreational facility in a single family neighborhood. The office that issues such permits was defunded 5 years ago, but you still must have the permit"

[El Gato]

The city is worried about lawsuits

Kelly's homegrown field was insured and in good shape, League President Brad Arbaugh said.

[Oztrich Boy]

That's a misquote.

The correct and more appropriate quote is

"All your base are belong to us."