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Falls City School Board Discusses Baseball Committee Report

By Matthew Leaf

01/15/2013

(KTNC) - Baseball again was a topic of discussion for the Falls City School Board Monday night. Superintendent Tim Heckenlively presented the board with the results of a review committee’s evaluation of a proposal to add baseball as a varsity sport.
Two parents approached the board last fall asking the district to consider adding baseball as a spring sport. A review committee consisting of Heckenlively, High School Principal Gale Dunkhas, Athletic Director Darwin Palmer, Middle School Principal Rick Johnson, South School Principal JP Holys, North School Principal Ernie Valentine, Don Hogue, Cody Hawley, and Kory Huppert evaluated the proposal.
The committee used 10 criteria to gauge the proposal. One of the big concerns with adding baseball, Heckenlively says, is gender equity. (play audio :41)
Falls City High School already has an imbalance, with 131 boys participating in sports compared to 81 girls – though the number of sports offered for boys and girls is equal at six.
Another consideration is student interest. Heckenlively says a survey conducted last year showed a difference in the interest level between Middle School and High School students. (play audio :19)
The high school survey showed two current juniors, five sophomores, and five freshmen who have played either Legion or Junior Midget summer baseball, along with six students who have not played summer ball, interested in participating in spring baseball.
The committee’s report also concluded that adding baseball would not cause a problem with existing school facilities; adding baseball would affect the ability of existing spring sports to field competitive teams; and would have start-up and maintenance costs similar to other activity programs.
As for competition, the closest schools with spring baseball programs are in Missouri and Kansas. The closest Nebraska schools that offer varsity baseball are in Nebraska City, Beatrice, and Plattsmouth.
Heckenlively says the board will take up the baseball discussion again next month. (play audio :41)
The report also noted that due to the low number of upperclassmen and the newness of the program, it would be difficult for Falls City to immediately field a competitive team were baseball to be added in the spring of 2014.

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