Tiny Texas town erupts over athletic fields removal plan

Athletic leaders in Castroville are asking the community to step in and help preserve local practice fields as their future hangs in the balance. The issue is set to go before Castroville City Council during its meeting Tuesday, April 14.

The Medina Valley Youth Baseball Association (MVYBA) said in a Facebook post Monday that a “proposed master plan” could eliminate its existing baseball and softball fields. Castroville, about 25 miles west of downtown San Antonio, is known for its Alsace-style architecture and small-town charm.

According to the organization, these spaces would be replaced with “six hangars and apron space,” and there is “no current plan to relocate the fields elsewhere.” Locals reacted to the claim, with some sharing memories of playing on the fields in the comments. Players of the MVYBA are placed on teams within their age division (ages four through 16) and participate in regular-season games and practices, per its website.

“This would make me very sad,” Facebook user Robin Deanne wrote. “I grew up playing on those fields. I remember my brother umpiring my games when I was in 4th grade bc [because] it was all volunteer still back then … Too many memories for it to be gone.” 

Another, Head Baseball Coach at Medina Valley High School, Weston Heiligman, commented that he “would like to be there,” but the team has a home game, so he emailed a letter to the council.

“We know how important MVYBA is to our program here as well as the community and kids in general,” Heiligman said in a post.

The City Council of the City of Castroville meeting agenda confirms that members will be discussing and appropriating action “regarding an appraisal of airport property including the area currently leased by the Medina Valley Youth Baseball Association and other matters related thereto.” The meeting begins at 5 p.m. at Council Chambers, located at 1209 Fiorella Street.

“Our fields are for community use,” the MVYBA wrote in a Facebook post. “Fees are kept as low as possible and are used strictly for maintenance, field upkeep, and operations.”

Several groups, including Kinetic Kids, a non-profit that describes its mission as enriching the lives of children with special needs through sports, fine arts, and educational programs, use the fields. It is also sometimes hosts the Medina Valley Independent School District (MVISD) activities, per the association. 

The MVYBA is asking for residents to support it by attending the City Council meeting on Tuesday. If people choose to speak at the gathering, the entity asks that they take the following actions: “Keep comments professional and respectful,” “do not single out individuals,” and “focus on how MVYBA serves the community and benefits local families.”

“Your presence matters — this directly impacts youth sports in our community,” the association wrote in a statement.

MySA reached out to MVYBA and MVISD for comment, but did not immediately hear back in time for publication.