Weary of the hassles over space and scheduling created by dealing with two rival youth baseball associations, New Lenox park commissioners want to see the two groups begin a dialogue.
Commissioners Phil Landry and Robert McKenna were assigned to get together with representatives of the New Lenox Rebels and the New Lenox Hawks and start a dialogue that will lead to a reunification.
The Hawks split from the New Lenox Baseball Association Rebels last year, and staff members said they have had difficulties scheduling practices and games for both factions at the Bentley School baseball fields.
The Hawks’ offer to develop their own field at Lions Den Park was accepted by the Park Board in November, but the use of that field is likely temporary, since long-range park plans call for a water park at that site.
Playing at separate fields may cool feelings among the coaches and ease the way toward a future reconciliation, Commissioner Phil Landry said.
But Park Board President Tom Lewis disagreed.
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“The longer (the split) goes on, the more problems you’re going to have,” Lewis said.
“Every time this happens, we can’t accommodate a whole new group,” he said. “They’re telling us what they’re going to do. The tail is wagging the dog.”
The associations need a deadline for merging, he said.
The Park District cannot afford to develop duplicate facilities, Park Director Bill McCollum said.