Inspired by the success of this month's Black Sox provincial baseball championships in Sault Ste. Marie, Ward 3 Coun. Angela Caputo will ask city council on Monday to consider accessibility upgrades at Sinclair Yards.
Caputo and Ward 1's Sonny Spina will propose more accessible amenities be installed there, aimed at possibly attracting Challenger Baseball tournaments.
Challenger Baseball is a non-competitive sport played by athletes with a physical disability, intellectual disability, cognitive delay or a developmental disability.
Players as young as four years of age are accepted.
Monday's city council meeting will be live-streamed on SooToday starting at 5 p.m.
The following is the full text of the resolution to be presented:
Accessible baseball yards in Sault Ste. Marie
Mover: Coun. A. Caputo
Seconder: Coun. S. Spina
Whereas Sault Ste. Marie teams took three major provincial baseball titles on the weekend of September 1 to 3 including the 9U Black Sox, the 11U Black Sox and the 13U Black Sox; and
Whereas Sault Ste. Marie played host to the 9U and 11U provincial championships, and saw teams from across Ontario converge at Sinclair Yards for the tournament; and
Whereas on the heels of the tournament’s success, and the success of the Sault Ste. Marie teams, organizers believe the future of baseball is bright in Sault Ste. Marie; and
Whereas feedback from the tournament has been largely positive, with constructive feedback centred on the need for accessible fields, washrooms, parking spaces and associated amenities on site; and
Whereas Challenger Baseball is a barrier-free form of baseball that has 33,000 participants, and growing, across Ontario; and
Whereas for the City of Sault Ste. Marie to host Challenger Baseball tournaments, or simply to enhance the experience of existing tournaments that are already being hosted in Sault Ste. Marie, more accessible amenities should be incorporated into Sinclair Yards;
Now therefore be it resolved that the City of Sault Ste. Marie, in partnership or coordination with Sault Minor Baseball Association and the Ontario Baseball Association, be directed to report back to the council of the City of Sault Ste. Marie with potential accessibility improvements to the Sinclair Yards and funding options or grants available to make the necessary improvements.