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Message |
    
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 1575
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, July 2, 2005 - 12:06 pm: |     |
Why did they do away with the courts at Farrell Field? |
Brett Weir
Citizen
Username: Brett_weir
Post Number: 728
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, July 2, 2005 - 2:14 pm: | |
JTA- Thanks for your kind words. The Farrell Field courts fell into disrepair progessively and were torn down a few years ago. Some of the neighbors over time also complained about the influx of players, though most in that area liked the park and the courts. I went up there for years to play and the courts were always packed. It was also pretty well mixed racially and that was never an issue. The homes on Maplewood Ave. which bordered F.F. were all owned by black families and the park was their "home court" when we came. Proximity trumped residency, but all of the loacls were very accepting. S.O. cops Joe Bradley and Butch Larkin came up often to play. It was a great place to hang out and a model for what the new Baird courts should be. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 1583
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, July 2, 2005 - 5:22 pm: | |
Am I undetstanding correctly the only basketball courts in South Orange are at the Baird Center? Is there a way to put one back in at Farrell Field? Or what about in the park near Kendell? Or any of the places the courts were removed from. Or how about a court in the Newstead area?
Maybe The county could put some in the resevation.
I spoke to Andy this afternoon and after speaking with him I am less concered about the younger, and not as strong players having their time on the courts. It doesn't seem the 'rules of basketball' as hoops and a couple of the others described are going to be what's established here at the new courts.
From the way I understood what Andy told me is, they *think* and *hope* they have everything under control. They can't forsee every possible problem, but when the courts are ready they plan to have the KIDS come in and sit down with (I'm guessing Andy, Charlie and the others who willrun the probgram) to establish the 'rules' and 'guidelines' of the courts. As I told Andy I think this is a GREAT idea! If the kids as a group decide what they feel is acceptable and not acceptable behavior, it will be easier to keep unaccetable behavior in check.
From what I understood, Andy told me there is gong to be scheduled times for kids under a certain age, teenagers, adults to play as well as leagues and clinic time. And NO, with the exception, you will need to be a resident to join one of the teams.
If I'm incorrect I'm sure Andy will tell me. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 1584
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, July 2, 2005 - 5:50 pm: | |
Edit to above post - it should read "With the exception of Maplewood, you will need to be a resident of South Orange to play on one of the town teams."
(Trying to figure out why I keep having so many typos) |
AntoninaKC
Citizen
Username: Antoninakc
Post Number: 45
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, July 3, 2005 - 2:17 pm: | |
JTA, I have to go through your posts to get to other ones that I would rather read ! |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 1598
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, July 3, 2005 - 5:47 pm: | |
Antoninac-
Not so. Just put don't read my posts. It's easy -you see the little kid with the big head, you know it's my post. Skip over it. I think the truth is you really want to read my posts. Have a nice 4th.  |
Hoops
Citizen
Username: Hoops
Post Number: 234
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 9:04 am: | |
JTA - I am sure that Andy will have some good programs for kids or all ages. I hate the fact that we are going to be exclusionary to SO/MA in our leagues. IMHO we should be open to all children who want to participate.
As far as 'open' court time goes I will bet you that the courts here will run exactly like the courts say at Memorial Park. Time will tell.
My kids are also always the shortest kids on the court but that does not stop them from playing. Its not the size of the dog its the size of the fight in the dog.
One think that is lacking from the current configuration is a chain link fence to guard against the ball going on the train tracks and into Mead street. I hope this is also part of the plan.
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Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 1614
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 9:44 am: | |
Sorry hoops I totally disagree with you about allowing kids from other towns to play in our recreation basketball leagues. If we do that, why not our baseball program? Or allowing out of town residents to join our pool? Hwck, might as well open up the schools to out of towners. No thanks!!!
Hopefully you are VERY wrong about how the courts will be run. And according to the discussion I had with Andy, I'm guessing (hopefully) the Baird courts will NOT be run with the 'basketball culture' mentality you described.
If the courts were run this way, according to the concept someone brought up here - 'of kids not playing with adults' short or not, if adults get the courts first, your kids, along with many others will be waiting a long time to use them.
Time will tell... |
Hoops
Citizen
Username: Hoops
Post Number: 235
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 10:27 am: | |
JTA - why not our baseball program? I cant speak for the pool as I dont know the capacity needs and what charges would apply. I dont often make use of it although I do join each year. Be that as it may what is the problem with having a larger basketball participation? I dont see any scarcity of resources that should cause us to close the program to outsiders. As far as schools go I think you know that you are mixing apples and oranges and as I respect your intelligence I think you did it purposefully to avoid relevant discussion on the merits of out of town kids joining in our recreation leagues.
I dont know what you are so afraid of. As directors of any program that we have we would have the final say on the rules and the teams and the numbers of people who could participate. A basketball league could be run very successfully and goodwill could be spread to people everywhere. I dont see any negative at all.
As far as the actual usage of the courts what you have not yet given any thought to or credence to is what other posters have repeatedly said - the courts have not been used much by anyone in the past. You also seem to have a very large bias towards 'children' having use of the courts. Adults also require recreation and will be using the courts as much if not more then the children you are advocating. It is not an us versus them situation it is a sharing situation where - and this is important - court use should be determined by the people who actually use the facility. In other words if many more adults are using the courts regularly then more time should be allocated for adult use. If more children are using the courts then that time should be allocated to them and time should be adjusted according to the right balance between the two.
I do not know what your conversation with Andy was about nor do I know that you could adequately explain to him what your fears were related to what the reality of an open court is. However I am hopeful that at the time I want to use the court, that I can get together with some friends - from anywhere - and get to play basketball in the way that is customary.
I find it interesting that you are campaigning this way and trying to manipulate the way things will work even though you will never or extremely rarely use the court yourself. At the end of the day we will see whether South Orange is exclusive or inclusive. |
singlemalt
Supporter
Username: Singlemalt
Post Number: 1077
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 11:10 am: | |
Why should the taxpayers and residents of South Orange wait to use a basketball court (or tennis court) being used by people who do not live here? There is obviously a shortage of courts in the village and we pay for a recreation department to make sure the resources are available to residents of the village.
I agree with JTA 100%.
EDIT TO ADD:
The courts should be scheduled to make sure anyone who wants them has the ability. Obviously, residents would be the only players able to schedule them. |
Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 6794
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 11:16 am: | |
quote:Why should the taxpayers and residents of South Orange wait to use a basketball court (or tennis court) being used by people who do not live here?
Good point. There should be a priority for residents if there's a wait. Otherwise, having them open to all seems fine. |
SoOrLady
Citizen
Username: Soorlady
Post Number: 2321
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 11:21 am: | |
I can forsee a lot of resentment building up if people are asked to leave the court because residents have arrived and want to play. It doesn't make sense that all other facilities at the Baird are closed to non-residents, but the bball courts are open to anyone. I agree with JTA. |
Phenixrising
Citizen
Username: Phenixrising
Post Number: 923
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 11:21 am: | |
Why should the taxpayers and residents of South Orange wait to use a basketball court (or tennis court) being used by people who do not live here?
singlemalt,
Again…
The basketball court was funded by federal dollars (Green Acre), therefore it's open to ALL of the public.
BTW… the tennis court is excluded. |
Phenixrising
Citizen
Username: Phenixrising
Post Number: 924
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 11:25 am: | |
Perhaps Mr. Brady needs to look into this situation and build (or rebuild) some basketball courts for residence ONLY. |
cmontyburns
Citizen
Username: Cmontyburns
Post Number: 1019
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 11:27 am: | |
Let's also make sure "outsiders" visiting our town don't shop at any of our businesses or eat at any of our restaurants. Mine Mine Mine!
(Friends, I hate to keep singing this same tune, but.... THE COURTS ARE OFTEN EMPTY! THERE IS NO CRISIS AT THE BAIRD COMMUNITY CENTER! File this thread under: Teapot, Tempest In A)
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singlemalt
Supporter
Username: Singlemalt
Post Number: 1080
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 11:32 am: | |
quote:Perhaps Mr. Brady needs to look into this situation and build (or rebuild) some basketball courts for residence ONLY.
Agreed. |
Hoops
Citizen
Username: Hoops
Post Number: 237
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 11:43 am: | |
singlemalt - fine, lets also build walls around our town and charge a toll to get in or pass through.
Please take another look at cmonty's post. There is no reason for exclusivity and every reason for inclusivity.
Perhaps allowing the residents who actually do play basketball to define how they would like to see court time allocated might be a good idea - but to do that would mean that you would have to give in to the point of view that are espoused by the minority of posters in this thread (but the definite majority of basketball participants). |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 1619
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 12:47 pm: | |
Hoops-
I'm not even going to continue this conversation with you about the basketball courts. As I posted the other day, I spoke with Andy and it's not going to be the adult 'residents' that the make up the guidelines, it's going to be the CHILDREN.
That's fine with me because most of the kids I know in town (and other areas) don't subscribe the 'basketball culture' mentality you describe.
It won't matter what happens at the Baird Center as far as my nephews are concerned, because my sister won't allow them to join the basketball league here in town. She'd rather have them go where people pay to join and use the courts. That way, there won't be any problems...
Time for me to do something constructive now... |
cmontyburns
Citizen
Username: Cmontyburns
Post Number: 1026
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 1:20 pm: | |
"She'd rather have them go where people pay to join and use the courts. That way, there won't be any problems..."
Priceless.
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Nonymous Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 8125
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 4:40 pm: | |
Well, it's her sister's decision, not hers.
If JTA hadn't posted the above, I would have said that hoops should take her and her nephews to show them how to get into a pickup game. And then either he would have seen the problem that she is describing or she and her nephews would have learned something useful.
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Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 1625
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 10:43 pm: | |
Cmonty-
I was being sarcastic about my sister paying somewhere else. As I told Andy, once I heard Charlie was running the program, I tried to convince my sister to give the program a try. She said 'No thanks.'
Tom -Something tells me if Hoops were with us we would have the problems we had in the past.  |
Hoops
Citizen
Username: Hoops
Post Number: 239
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 - 8:34 am: | |
Tom - A good diplomatic move but i dont think - as you can see by JTA's answer that she would be interested.
JTA - such little confidence.
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Nonymous Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 8136
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 - 8:48 am: | |
I think you are both assuming that the other would not participate. That's not a good foot to start out on, for either of you.
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Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 1637
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 - 1:10 pm: | |
Ooops just realized I made another typo. It should have said
"Something tells me if Hoops were with us we wouldN'T have the problems we had in the past."
My computer has a mind of it's own -should have said WOULDN'T not would. Sorry. |
Nonymous Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 8155
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 - 1:19 pm: | |
Then do you mean that his physical presense would open doors for you? Or that you'd learn from him?
|
Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 1797
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 - 1:25 pm: | |
If a guy named Hoops comes up to the court you let him play, and the kids that are with him. |
User58
Citizen
Username: User58
Post Number: 254
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 - 1:33 pm: | |
meanwhile the new courts look great. A definite improvement to the town. The players will work out the playing details. Now lets get the tennis courts fixed up. We need some to make the ones near the pool Hartru charge by the hour for them. This would be a great move for the town. |
Hoops
Citizen
Username: Hoops
Post Number: 241
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 - 1:34 pm: | |
Brett - I dont look like a guy named hoops. I only turn into that guy once the game begins.
JTA - sorry I misunderstood you. Its a small world in bball circles. Sooner or later I will meet you and your nephews.
|
Sheena Collum SHU
Citizen
Username: Sheena_collum
Post Number: 232
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 - 2:14 pm: | |
Hoops,
I turn into Shaq when the game begins... so I know what you mean  |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 1641
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 - 8:36 pm: | |
Tom-
I think the fact he was there would make a difference; more then if let's say, you were there. Let's leave it at that... |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 1642
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 - 8:38 pm: | |
Brett-
Exactly!!!  |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 1643
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 - 8:39 pm: | |
User-
I know some of my friends would LOVE for the courts by the pool to be fixed up! |
mitchell rider
Citizen
Username: Washburn
Post Number: 3
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 9:57 pm: | |
fix the courts by the pool? are u kidding. the rec dept. won't even spring for nets. the players need to beg for new ones when the old ones get holes in them.... |
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