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Kibbe Park

Spartans football club set for scrimmage at Kibbe Park on Sunday afternoon

By Press Release
Spartans football club

Press Release:

With a roster of 55 players and about a dozen sponsors in hand, the Genesee County Spartans organization is moving full speed ahead toward competing in the Northern Football Alliance this summer.

“We’re into the third week of training camp, preparing for an intrasquad scrimmage at 1 p.m. on May 7 at Kibbe Park (which is open to the public at no charge),” said Head Coach Harry Rascoe. “It’s a very competitive environment for starting positions on the team.”

The Spartans are practicing on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. at Farrall Park in preparation for a May 20 scrimmage at the Watertown Red and Black, which plays in the Gridiron Developmental Football League.

Rascoe’s squad is on the road for its first three NFA games – at Auburn on June 3 and at Lockport on June 10 – before hosting Ithaca on June 17.

The remainder of the schedule: June 24 vs. Broome County; July 15 at Broome County; July 22 vs. Lockport; Aug. 5 at Ithaca; Aug. 12 vs. Auburn.

Rascoe said the team is finalizing arrangements to play its home games at Genesee Community College.

Team sponsors include Iron Reps gym, R.A. Haitz, Dan’s Tire & Auto, The Brick Gym, Eli Fish, Batavia Downs Gaming, Liberty Pumps, Los Compadres Mexican Restaurant, Get Sealed and Village Restaurant.

For more information about the team, including how to become a sponsor, go to the team’s Genesee County Spartans Facebook page or contact Rascoe at rascoeh@yahoo.com.

Spartans football club

Submitted photos.  Top photo: Head Coach Harry Rascoe, football in hand, calls out a play for the offensive line as the Genesee Spartans prepare for their season this summer.  Bottom photo: Assistant coach Craig Tiberio conducts a drill for defensive backs at a recent Genesee Spartans football practice.

Tompkins Insurance to face Skyworks in men's softball championship

By Howard B. Owens

The Batavia Men's League Softball championship comes down to Tomkins Insurance vs. Skyworks this coming week.

On Thursday, in the semifinals, Tompkins beat T.F. Brown's Beers N Bombs 15-7. In the nightcap, Skyworks beat USPS 14-1.

Kibbe Park Thursday Night Softball report

By Howard B. Owens

Submitted by Mike Jamil:

Week 5 Coed Scores, updated standings, and Week 6 schedule...
Bomb Squad gets it's Tonya Harding impersonation on, treating 97 Rock like Nancy Kerrigan hitting Wesley with a car pre game. Though Wesley still turned out to be 97 Rock best hitter. No joke. Bomb Squad wins 15-3...
If you predicted mercy for the outcome of the 6pm game at Kibbe Park, you were Dead On accurate as Dead On Auto Body Repairs sends the Brew Crew to TF Browns early. Winning 18-3...
Saved By The Balls apparently was missing Zack Morris. They lose to YNGODESS 15-8...
Neither manager bothered to partake in the 8pm matchup. The inevitable happened and Toyota Of Batavia/ Southside Deli gets back on track winning 24-6 against Basic Pitches with their basic outcome...
In a family feud, Maskell's Rascals withstand the late attempted comeback by Abusement Park. They win 18-14...
Updated Standings
1. Bomb Squad 5-0 with 90 runs scored and 33 runs against...
2. Toyota Of Batavia/ Southside Deli 4-1 with 82 runs scored and 38 runs against...
3. Maskell's Rascals 3-2 with 63 runs for and 45 runs against... 
3. TF Browns Saved By The Balls 3-2 with 62 runs scored and 60 runs against...
3. Dead On Auto Body Repairs 3-2 with 80 runs scored and 79 runs against...
3. YNGODESS 3-2 with 53 runs scored and 52 runs against...
7. TF Browns Abusement Park 2-3 with 69 runs scored and 57 runs against...
8. 97 Rock 1-4 with 32 runs scored and 62 runs against...
8. TF Browns Brew Crew 1-4 with 49 runs scored and 111 runs against...
10. Basic Pitches 0-5 with 47 runs scored and 100 runs against...
Week 6 Schedule
Williams Park at 630 has Bomb Squad (home) vs YNGODESS
Kibbe Park at 6pm has TF Browns Brew Crew (home) vs TF Browns Abusement Park
Kibbe Park at 7pm has Maskell's Rascals (home) vs Toyota Of Batavia/ Southside Deli
Kibbe Park at 8pm has Dead On Auto Body Repairs (home) vs TF Browns Saved By The Balls
Kibbe Park at 9pm has 97 Rock (home) vs Basic Pitches
 

Report: Thursday night softball at Kibbe Park

By Howard B. Owens

Submitted by Mike Jamil:

Thursday Night Men's League Week 5 scores, updating standings, and Week 6 upcoming schedule...
Fava Brothers Lawncare Bad Boyz defeat Vinyl Sticks 25-15...
Fava Brothers Good Boys defeat Beer View Mirrors 17-5...
Tompkins Insurance of Batavia defeat U.S.P.S. 23-19...
Beers N Bombs defeat Master Batters 23-22...
Skyworks defeat Upstate Blazers 16-0...
Updated Standings
1. Skyworks 5-0 with 86 runs scored and 31 runs against...
2. Tompkins Insurance of Batavia 4-1 with 94 runs scored and 55 runs against...
3. Fava Brothers Lawncare Good Boys 3-2 with 77 runs scored and 63 runs against...
3. TF Browns Beer View Mirrors 3-2 with 69 runs scored and 61 runs against...
3. U.S.P.S. 3-2 with 73 runs scored and 74 runs against...
3. Fava Brothers Lawncare Bad Boyz 3-2 with 87 runs scored and 90 runs against...
3. TF Browns Beers N Bombs 3-2 with 71 runs scored and 85 runs against...
8. TF Browns Master Batters 1-4 with 90 runs scored and 98 runs against...
9. Vinyl Sticks 0-5 with 43 runs scored and 86 runs against...
9. Upstate Blazers 0-5 with 50 runs scored and 97 runs against... 
Week 6 Upcoming Schedule
Williams Park at 630pm has Vinyl Sticks (home) vs Upstate Blazers...
Kibbe Park at 6pm has TF Browns Beer View Mirrors (home) vs Tompkins Insurance of Batavia...
Kibbe Park at 7pm has TF Browns Master Batters (home) vs Skyworks...
Kibbe Park at 8pm has U.S.P.S. (home) vs Fava Brothers Good Boys...
Kibbe Park at 9pm has TF Browns Beers N Bombs (home) vs Fava Brothers Lawncare Bad Boyz
 

Kibbe Park softball league starts playoffs

By Howard B. Owens
The New Batavia Softball League's Wednesday Night Coed Final Regular Season Standings with playoff matchups scheduled for Wednesday July 12th at Kibbe Park...
 
1. TF Browns Blind Squirrels (7-3) will play lowest remaining seed after round 1 at 8pm.
 
2. Wii Not Fit (6-4) will play highest remaining seed after round 1 at 9pm.
 
3. The Gallaghers (6-4) will play T.N.B.S.L Slapnut Magoos at 6pm round 1.
 
4. Andrew Steinbrenner's Allstate (6-4) will play 97 Rock at 7pm round 1.
 
5. 97 Rock (5-5) will play Andrew Steinbrenner's Allstate at 7pm round 1.
 
6. T.N.B.S.L Slapnut Magoos (4-6) will play The Gallaghers at 6pm round 1.
 
7. The Misfits (1-9) Good learning experience. Officially eliminated....
 
 
The New Batavia Softball League's Thursday Night Men's League Final Regular Season Standings and Playoff Matchups for Thursday July 13th at Kibbe Park...
 
Thursday Night Men's League Final Standings and Playoff Schedule plus scenarios. Crazy how tight this league also was. Tie Breakers head to head literally were all by 1 run between the top 5 teams including a tie head to head between Cummings/Lee and TF Browns Master Batters who both defeated each other by 10 runs during the season and had to go to Run Differential to determine who even had that tie breaker had it came down to both of them finishing at 6-4. U.S.P.S narrowly defeated Cummings/Lee and the head to head split between Fava Brothers Lawn Care and TF Browns Beers N Bombs was by 1 run. Game 1 TF Browns Beers N Bombs won by 2 and Game 2, Fava Brothers Lawn Care won by 1. The 3 seed has been a curse in recent history both nights Wednesdays and Thursdays. The reigning champs are praying that continues.
 
1. U.S.P.S (7-3) (Runs For 115, Runs Against 93) Clinched the #1 seed because they won the tie breaker head to head against Cummings/Lee. Will be home team through out playoffs. Earned first dibs on time of 2nd round game and selected 8pm. Will play the lowest remaining seed at 8pm.
 
2. Cummings/Lee (7-3) (Runs For 181, Runs Against 114)  Will play highest remaining seed at 9pm.
 
3. TF Browns Beers N Bombs (6-4) (Runs For 130, Runs Against 101) three way tie which they won the head to head tie breaker against Fava Brothers Lawn Care although they lost the head to head tie to TF Browns Master Batters. Because Fava Brothers Lawn Care owns the tie breaker head to head against TF Browns Master Batters which own the head to head tie breaker on TF Browns Beers N Bombs. Since head to head cannot determine this combination at a three way tie we go to the next tie breaker which is Run Differential. They win this tie breaker with a run differential of +29. (For the newbies to sports and don't understand how tie breakers are designed to work lol) Earned first dibs for time selection round 1 and selected 7pm. Will be home team against TF Browns Commisioners Crew at 7pm first round. If they win will play at 9pm against Cummings/Lee.
 
4. Fava Brothers Lawn Care (6-4) (Runs For 121, Runs Against 116) Read above how they finished 4th. Lost Run Differential to TF Browns Beers N Bombs but won Run Differential to TF Browns Master Batters with a +5 to -15. Will play at 6pm home team vs TF Browns Master Batters. If they win could play at 8pm against U.S.P.S if TF Browns Beers N Bombs wins round 1. Can play at 9pm against Cummings/Lee if TF Browns Beers N Bombs loses to TF Browns Commissioner's Crew.
 
5. TF Browns Master Batters (6-4) (Runs For 107, Runs Against 122) Again read above how they claimed the 5 seed with the three way tie. Lost Run Differential to both TF Browns Beers N Bombs and Fava Brothers Lawn Care with a -15. Will play at 6pm as the away team against Fava Brothers Lawn Care. If they win and TF Browns Beers N Bombs win they will play at 8pm against U.S.P.S. If they win and TF Browns Commissioner's Crew wins, they will play at 9pm against Cummings/Lee.
 
6. TF Browns Commissioner's Crew aka 2 time reigning champions (3-7) (Runs For 120, Runs Against 138) Will play at 7pm as the away team against TF Browns Beers N Bombs since they didn't do themselves any favors the last 2 weeks and neither did the other teams lol. If they win will play at 8pm in a rematch of the title game last season against U.S.P.S
 
7. Balls Deep (0-10) (Runs For 71, Runs Against 157) Eliminated

Week 5 results for Kibbe Park adult softball

By Howard B. Owens
The New Batavia Softball League's Wednesday Night Coed Week 5 Rundown from Kibbe Park...
Game 1
(Home) TF Browns Blind Squirrels (2-3) 6,2,0,0,2,6,x
(Away) T.N.B.S.L Slapnut Magoos (0-5) 5,3,0,0,0,1,1
...
Home
M. Badami 1-3 1rbi
R. Sumeriski 4-4 2rbi
J. Dykstra 1-2 1rbi
J. Janes 0-2 2rbi 
C. Harrington 2-3 1rbi 
M. Jamil 3-3 5rbi
A. Ford 1-3 
L. Leto 3-4 2rbi
A. Ernst 3-4 2rbi
K. Rowland 1-3
H. Dempsey 1-4
 
Away
S. Coffta 3-4
B. Burg 2-4
H. Rascoe 2-3 4rbi
M. Taylor 1-3 1rbi
Whitey 3-3 2rbi
A. Nichols 2-3 2rbi
C. Densmore 1-3
J. Petry 1-3
C. Rolle 1-3 1rbi
Lindsay 0-3
Anne 1-3
 
Game Recap-
As you can see this was an 8-8 game through 4 full innings. 10-9 home team after five and a half innings as Rascoe drills a shot deep to right center driving in Coffta. Sumeriski and Jamil respond taking advantage of the base runners in the bottom half of the 6th inning to pull away in this game. Highlight of the game Whitey turns back the hands of time and makes a what we'll say was running while leaping and extending to make a sportscenter play of the week. Was a great catch to say the least. The TF Browns Blind Squirrels (2-3) will have their double header next week as they first take on The Misfits (1-4) at 6pm followed by 97 Rock (4-1) at 7pm. T.N.B.S.L Slapnut Magoos (0-5) will be against Andrew Steinbrenner's Allstate (5-1) at 9pm...
 
Game 2 Wednesday Night Coed
(Home) The Gallaghers (4-2) 1,15,3,0, mercy
(Away) Andrew Steinbrenner's Allstate (5-1) 3,0,2,0,0, mercied
 
Home
M. McMurray 2-3 3rbi 
Tom Sauka 3-4 4rbi
S. Prusinowski 1-4 1rbi
S. Varnell 2-3
N. Holley 3-3 1rbi
L. Tillery 1-3 2rbi
A. Prusinowski 2-3
T. Sanchez 2-2 2rbi
J. Marucci 3-3 3rbi
J. Vasi 1-3 1rbi
N. Gaudy 2-3 2rbi
 
Away
M. Funke 0-1 1rbi
J. Huertas 2-2
V. Redman 2-2 2rbi
T. Lazik 0-2
M. Good 1-2 1rbi
C. Spurling 1-2 1rbi
D. Callahan 0-2
J. D'Alba 1-2
T. Maurer 1-2
V. Thomas 1-2
J. Janes 0-2
D. Leach 1-2
B. Spurling 0-1
 
Game Recap-
The biggest surprise by far belong to The Gallaghers. Off to a 4-2 start and not only overcame being -$4200 moneyline Las Vegas underdogs for the victory, they only needed 4 innings of at bats to Allstate's 5 at bats to win via mercy rule. Maverick and Sauka drive in 3 runs a piece in the 15 run second inning combining to hit 4-4. That was just 1 inning alone. I don't speak for everybody but I certainly would have had my money on Golliath not David in this matchup. The Gallaghers (4-2) will be against Wii Not Fit (3-3) at 8pm while Andrew Steinbrenner's Allstate (5-1) take on T.N.B.S.L Slapnut Magoos (0-5) at 9pm Wednesday at Kibbe Park.
 
 
Game 3 Wednesday Night Coed
(Home) Andrew Steinbrenner's Allstate (5-1) 1,10,0,0,3,0,4 (18)
(Away) Wii Not Fit (3-3) 3,0,2,0,0,6,6 (17)
 
Home
D. Leach 3-4 2rbi
T. Maurer 3-4 4rbi
J. Huertas 4-4 1rbi
T. Lazik 4-4 2rbi
V. Thomas 2-4 2rbi
V. Redman 2-3 3rbi
M. Funke 2-3 1rbi
C. Spurling 0-1 2rbi
D. Callahan 2-3
M. Good 1-3
K. Rowland 0-2 1rbi
B. Spurling 2-3
J. DiAlba 2-3
 
Away
N. Gaudy 5-5 2rbi
C. Dowling 2-3 4rbi
E. Davis 4-5 3rbi
M. Dwyer 3-5 2rbi
C. Chinn 3-4 1rbi
J. Stymus 0-2 1rbi
P. Mutter 0-3 1rbi
G. Hodges 1-3
C. Hall 1-3 1rbi
J. Palaszynski 2-4 1rbi
D. Coley 2-3 1rbi
 
Game Recap-
This game was looking to get out of hand after the wheels were appearing to fall off fast for Wii Not Fit giving up a 10 run outburst in the second inning by Andrew Steinbrenner's Allstate who were extra motivated in lieu of avenging their stunning loss the game prior. Huertas continues his hot bat as Maurer's RBI total may have passed Joe Mauer's total in the majors which he gets paid to do. Wii Not Fit doesn't give up and like they do often, making the game suspenseful and close. Lots of excitement in this one. Facing adversity nearly being mercied down 14-5 after 5 at bats, the away team scores 6 in the 6th capped off by a Dwyer homer. Davis would cap off another 6 run inning in the top half of the 7th with a homer which would land Wii Not Fit the 17-14 lead with the home team up to bat trailing. Single, double, single, single, and then a walk off single by Thomas all in succession later Allstate wins 18-17. Andrew Steinbrenner's Allstate (5-1) will be facing T.N.B.S.L Slapnut Magoos (0-5) at 9pm while Wii Not Fit (3-3) will be against The Gallaghers (4-2) at 8pm in a week 1 rematch which seen Wii Not Fit win 8-7.
 
 
Game 4 Wednesday Night Coed
(Home) The Misfits (1-4) 0,0,0,1,1,2, mercied
(Away) 97 Rock (4-1) 5,5,0,3,0,0,1 = mercy
 
Home
B. Whitehead 1-3
J. Lee 1-3
J. Maskell 1-3
Dio 3-3 1rbi
D. Pirincci 1-3 1rbi
C. Weibel 0-1 1rbi
M. Ayers 1-3 1rbi
K. McGill 0-2
S. Bischoff 0-1
S. Oddo 1-3
 
Away
L. Phillips 1-5 2rbi
N. Cummings 3-5
S. George 4-5 2rbi
D. Cervone 2-3
D. Cummings 2-4 1rbi
L. Stout 2-4 2rbi
D. Ball 4-4 2rbi
S. Krna 3-4 2rbi
Madison 1-4 1rbi
B. Welker 1-4 1rbi
Game Recap-
The Misfits do their best to stop the bleeding as 97 Rock gets all 10 batters to the plate in innings 1 and 2. Can't single any one player out for 97 Rock as they produced with a well balanced attack 1-10. For The Misfits it wasn't all bad as they did get to participate in over 6 innings here. Pirincci, Dioguardi, Weibel, and Ayers all knock in a run as Whitehead and McGill continue to impress in the field. The Misfits (1-4) move on from this and they will match up against the TF Browns Blind Squirrels (2-3) at 6pm weather permitting. 97 Rock (4-1) will also play the TF Browns Blind Squirrels (2-3) but at 7pm.
 
 
The New Batavia Softball League's Thursday Night Men's League Week 4 Rundown from Kibbe Park...
Game 1
(Home) TF Browns Beers N Bombs (2-1) 0,0,11,0,0,3,x...
(Away) TF Browns Commissioners Crew (2-3) 2,0,1,0,4,2,0
 
Home
Nick 2-4 1rbi
Bud 2-3 1rbi
Brett 1-3 1rbi
Tenney 3-3 2rbi
Perl 1-3 1rbi
Trev 2-3 1rbi
Mitch 1-3
Luke 1-3
Red 2-3 2rbi
Radka 2-3 2rbi
Rich 1-2 1rbi
Jake 1-2 2rbi
The Cross Face Chicken Wing 1-2
 
Away
A. Jarvela 2-3
G. Cassidy 1-2 2rbi
J. Dykstra 1-2 1rbi
A. Oklevitch 1-2 1rbi
C. Densmore 3-3 2rbi
M. Jamil 2-3 3rbi
R. Sumeriski 0-4
Dio 0-4
M. Greene 1-3
K. Oklevitch 2-3
 
Game Recap-
As you can tell from the box score all it takes is one melt down inning to lose a game. Unfortunately for the TF Browns Commissioner's Crew the third inning happened as the home team drops an 11 spot hitting the ball all over the place. TF Browns Beers N Bombs scored 7 runs before even recording an out. In the bottom half of the sixth inning Red McDonald surprises as he delivers a power shot driving in some insurance runs. The away team would be shut down silently in the top of the seventh and the game ends as the home team doesn't even need last ups to seal the deal in this game. TF Browns Commissioners Crew (2-3) will face U.S.P.S (2-2) at 9pm at Kibbe Park. TF Browns Beers N Bombs (2-1) will first face the TF Browns Master Batters (1-3) at 6pm at Kibbe Park, followed by facing Cummings/Lee (4-0) also at Kibbe Park starting at 7pm. Week 1 rained out game is getting made up here.
 
 
Thursday Night Men's League Week 4...
Game 2
(Home) Fava Brothers Lawn Care (3-1) 2,1,1,0,0,3,1
(Away) U.S.P.S. (2-2) 0,0,0,0,5,2,0
 
Home
J. Muoio 1-4
M. McMurray 1-4 2rbi
Phil Fava 2-3
Pat Fava 2-4
N. Cavalieri 2-4 2rbi
S. Varnell 1-3 1rbi
M. Badami 2-3
R. Dumuhoski 3-4 1rbi
B. Falitico 2-3 1rbi
J. Diehl 3-3 1rbi
 
Away
A. Ernst 1-3 1rbi
K. Abdulsalam 2-4 1rbi
R. Lehner 2-4 3rbi
M. Pullyblank 2-4
Big Shawn 2-4 1rbi
J. Bieber 0-4
B. Kotarski 2-4
J. Cordeiro 1-3
R. Neth 1-3
Nate 1-2 1rbi
 
Game Recap-
Pitcher for U.S.P.S. Jim Bieber strikes out 3 Fava Brother batters, Neth makes a couple circus catches while still learning how to hit, and Lehner drives in 3, but it wasn't enough as Fava Brothers Lawn Care come through in the bottom of the 7th when Varnell delivers a leadoff triple. They would intentionally walk Badami to face Dumuhoski. Dumo delivers a walk off single to steal the victory. Fava Brothers Lawn Care (3-1) will be at Williams Park starting at 6pm Thursday against Balls Deep (0-4). U.S.P.S. (2-2) has a double header first against Cummings/Lee (4-0) at 8pm held at Kibbe Park. Followed by the 9pm game at Kibbe Park against TF Browns Commissioner's Crew (2-3).
 
 
Thursday Night Men's League Week 4...
Game 3
(Home) Cummings/Lee (4-0) 4,4,1,3,8,mercy
(Away) Balls Deep (0-4) 4,1,0,2,2,0
 
Home
S. Coffta 3-4 2rbi
N. Cummings 2-4 1rbi
S. George 4-5 2rbi
D. Cummings 3-3 1rbi
Jake 3-3 3rbi
J. Lee 2-2 4rbi
B. Burg 3-3 3rbi
D. Ball 1-3 2rbi
T. Shelby 2-4 2rbi
Zach 2-3
 
Away
D. Uline 3-4
M. Lewter 4-4 2rbi
A. Lewter 2-3 1rbi
K. Dougherty 3-4 3rbi
TJ Czworka 0-2
C. Sponholz 1-4 2rbi
Zalar 1-3
TJ Henderson 1-3 1rbi
J. Santiago 0-1
R. Lundy 1-3
 
 
Thursday Night Men's League Week 4...
Game 4
(Home) Cummings/Lee (4-0) 11,3,0,2,5,1,mercy
(Away) TF Browns Master Batters (1-3) 3,2,2,3,0,2
 
Home
S. Coffta 3-5 2rbi
N. Cummings 3-5 3rbi
S. George 3-4 2rbi
D. Cummings 3-5 2rbi
Jake 2-5 1rbi
Jarad 3-5 1rbi
B. Burg 2-4 2rbi
D. Ball 3-4 3rbi
T. Shelby 4-4 2rbi
Zach 3-3 3rbi
 
Away B. Whitehead 2-4
C. Halsey 0-2
Tom Sauka 2-3 2rbi
E. Kitanic 2-4 1rbi
A. Prusinowski 3-3 3rbi
D. Pirincci 3-3 3rbi
N. Cook 1-4 2rbi
Hoss 1-4
Sam Oddo 1-3
J. Burdick 2-3 1rbi

Man selling crack cocaine at Kibbe Park given prison term

By Howard B. Owens

A 23-year-old Batavia resident will spend three-and-a-half years in prison as the result of his guilty plea last month to one count of criminal possession of a narcotic drug with intent to sell.

Dillion M. Brito, with an address on Highland Park at the time of his arrest in June, was sentenced in Genesee County Court today by Judge Robert C. Noonan.

Brito was arrested in the parking lot of Kibbe Park after being found with a quantity of crack cocaine.

Upon his release from state prison, Brito will be on two years post-release supervision.

Bulldawgs lose exclusive use of Kibbe Park for practices

By Howard B. Owens

Officials with the Batavia Bulldawgs, a youth football program with about 150 participants, were surprised recently to learn from city officials that they wouldn't have full use of Kibbe Park for practices, said John Reigle, Bulldawgs president.

Reigle said the four age-bracketed teams need a lot of space and a lot of parking for parents and coaches on practice days and only Kibbe Park provides enough space.

A newly formed men's softball league reserved the ball field at Kibbe, creating a scheduling conflict between the two uses.

City Manager Jason Molino said the city has seen an increase in the number of organized groups looking to use city parks over the past couple of years and that means the city needs to find a way to juggle the interests of all those groups.

"It's a new issue," Molino said. "It's not a bad issue. It's a good issue. There are multiple different organizations wanting to use the parks. In the past, the parks were available on a first-come, first-served basis, but as we get different organizations, football, softball, tennis, it creates conflicts. We need to figure out a way to get with all parties and work out a schedule."

Reigle said the Bulldawgs were a little caught off-guard by change in park use. For several years, going back at least 10 years if you include Batavia Youth Football, local youth football programs have used Kibbe Park for practice without reservations. Reigle said he wishes city officials had informed the Bulldawgs it needed to reserve the space for the first time before giving the time and space to another group.

This season, the Bulldawgs will practice where they play, at Lion's Park.

That's not an ideal situation because of limited parking in the area.

Riegle fears the increase in traffic four days a week will have a negative impact on residents on Wallace Street.

"On Saturday game days, as a courtesy to the neighbors, we put out cones in front of their front yards and driveways so people won't park there," Riegle said. "It's a small street and traffic flow in and out of the park is difficult."

Molino offered the team a city-owned field on Cedar Street, in front of the County Highway Department, but that field hasn't been used in years. At one time, before Batavia Sports Park, it was used for youth soccer. It hasn't been maintained since and Riegle said the ground is too hard and rutted now to be used safely for practice.

Which brings up another issue Molino said the city is facing as recreational sports use of the parks increases -- field prep and maintenance.

The city doesn't have a recreation department and doesn't have the resources to perform the kind of prep work that might be common for recreational leagues in other cities.

"In a way, this comes up at a good time," Molino said. "Our strategic plan outlines the need to do a recreational needs assessment. That can be done through the comprehensive planning process. We can look at what the needs are and develop that into the comprehensive plan so we know what these services cost and what it will take to fund them. It's a good public process that will help us understand the needs and demands on our parks."

Molino said he realizes Reigle isn't 100-percent satisfied with the outcome of their discussions about the situation, but both men are open to exploring the use of the field on Cedar Street for next season.

"The Bulldawgs are committed to continue providing a great program for the kids," Reigle said. "We'll make do with what's best for the safety of the kids."

Photo: No hoops in Kibbe Park today

By Howard B. Owens

It's been another chilly day in Genesee County, but at least the sun's been out.

There is a wind-chill advisory in place for tonight starting at 6 p.m. Single-digit temperatures combined with winds of 10 to 15 mph should produce a wind chill of minus 15.

Photo: Kibbe Park, Batavia.

Photos: Batavia Youth Football clinic at Kibbe Park

By Howard B. Owens

This morning, Batavia Youth Football conducted a football clinic for area children at Kibbe Park. The boys were instructed in how to play the defensive line, how to be a running back, how to be a receiver and how to be a quarterback.

More pictures after the jump:

 

Kibbe Park in the snow

By Howard B. Owens

I took this picture of Kibbe Park during my driving around this morning.

Do You Remember the Bleachers at Kibbe Park?

By Bea McManis

Do you remember the bleachers at Kibbe Park and the concession stand that sold ice cream under the bleachers?  I believe the Anzalone family ran that stand.

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