Owensboro High School’s baseball and softball coaches have informed parents that it is “highly unlikely” their teams will be able to play at Shifley Park this season due to ongoing construction delays caused by severe weather.
Jared Revlett, OPS Public Information Officer, said the coaches met with parents on Saturday morning to discuss the situation.
“Nothing is official yet, but the weather has been brutal,” Revlett said. “Now we’re expecting another 3 to 6 inches of rain this weekend, possibly followed by snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. It’s just been really tough.”
The construction is part of a major renovation project approved by the district last year.
The softball and baseball fields, which were previously all dirt/natural grass, are being converted to full turf — infield and outfield. Both fields are also being rotated for a more efficient setup. Each field would essentially be rotated 90 degrees clockwise, making the home plates near each other. Between the softball and baseball fields will be a new building that houses an indoor batting facility and locker rooms on the inside, with covered dugouts on the exterior.
While some facility upgrades — such as the dugouts and hitting facilities — are still progressing, the biggest issue is the playing surface itself. Persistent rain has delayed the process of laying gravel, leveling the ground, and installing the turf.
“We could try to push through, but that would create more problems down the road,” Revlett said. “If the ground shifts because of all the moisture, the field won’t last as long. We want to make sure we do this right so it lasts at least 10 to 15 years, if not longer.”
In addition to longevity, safety is a major concern. Revlett emphasized that many student-athletes could go on to play at the collegiate level, and rushing the process could lead to unsafe playing conditions.
“Rushing the process could lead to mistakes, which would ultimately cost taxpayers more in the long run,” he said. “We want to be good stewards of that money and make sure we get it done right the first time.”
While the district is exploring local alternatives, no official decisions have been made.
Revlett said OPS is considering several locations, but securing a field with proper facilities has been a challenge. Fisher Park is being explored as an option for softball, but baseball presents more challenges due to the need for lights and other requirements.
“Todd Harper, our athletic director, is working hard to find a local solution so we’re not on the road for every game,” Revlett said. “We don’t want every single game to be away, so we’re looking at options to play somewhere in town.”
Revlett said there is no firm timeline for when a final decision will be announced, but the district hopes to have at least the first few weeks of the season scheduled by the end of February.
“We may have to plan the first few games and adjust on the fly,” he said.
Despite the challenges, OPS remains committed to ensuring that student-athletes have a safe and suitable place to play.
“We hate this for the kids, but we’ll figure it out,” Revlett said. “Our priority is safety and making sure the facilities are ready for long-term use.”
