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LAS CRUCES - The preseason for youth baseball starts Thursday, and to prepare, about 40 volunteers worked Saturday to clean up the baseball fields at Paz Park and Ron Galla T-Ball Complex.
"I think that it was important for us to come over here for the kids. That's the main priority. For the kids to play baseball and have a safe field and that's why it was important for me to show up here," said Ruben Trujillo, a volunteer and baseball coach.
The Las Cruces Youth Baseball Association and the city Parks and Recreation Department organized the cleanup. And volunteers worked from 8 a.m. to around 1 p.m. raking infields, removing rocks, fixing fences and picking up trash on seven of the eight fields.
"We're trying to help the city because they keep saying they have budget cuts, that there's not enough money, that they don't have the manpower. So we went to the city and said, as an association, how can we help you," said Pat Diaz-Austin, with the LCYBA.
Around 130 teams use the baseball fields. This year, teams will not be charged the $10 per game fee for using the fields, though the city requested that the league reduce the number of games played due to wear and tear, Diaz-Austin said.
"They are helping us with the smaller stuff because we're a little short on manpower," said Rudy Trevino, with the city parks and recreation department. "We appreciate the help, and hopefully we'll get all the other leagues to start helping out."
Trevino said a crew of 15 maintains
One of the most time-consuming efforts for the parks maintenance crew is picking up garbage. The task takes up about 60 percent of their time, leaving less time for crews to comb through fields, looking for potential safety hazards such as large rocks.
"Throughout the season, we're going to ask out parents to pick up after themselves. To be conscious of what you're doing and show your kids responsibility. Pick up your trash," Diaz-Austin said.
Christine Rogel can be reached at (575) 541-5424.
