What's Happening in Encinitas, CA…

The Ecke Family YMCA in Encinitas announced plans to expand some time ago, causing anxiety for Little League players and their families, who use the Y's ball fields for their games. Now, an agreement is near that will enable the Little Leaguers to continue playing at the venue.

League officials became concerned last fall when they discovered the Y's latest contract with Encinitas included a clause that would allow the Y to curtain the League's use of their fields with just 30 days’ notice. There are four fields available at the Y, which owns the property but leases it to Encinitas.

The League said if the Y would guarantee it could continue playing on three fields through 2024, it would give up one of the four without further objection at the end of this season. After a long period of discussion, the Y came up with a compromise that will allow the League to continue playing on the fields, even as it undertakes expansion.

Field #1 will be converted into a parking lot and three indoor soccer venues, field #2 will remain as is, and fields #3 and #4 will be converted into multisport, turfed arenas that can accommodate baseball and soccer players of all ages. The compromise should work for the whole community.

Y officials might consider working with a flyer printing company to develop a mailer for residents explaining these plans.