By Sofia Montoya-Deck<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hood College will no longer be considering Max Kehne Park as a potential new baseball field, according to an email sent from Interim President Debbie Ricker on Nov. 20.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBased on overwhelming negative feedback from the surrounding community, we have decided to withdraw our proposal for Max Kehne and explore other options,\u201d Ricker said in the email.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The news disappointed members of the baseball team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s unfortunate that we were unable to come to an agreement with the City of Frederick,\u201d senior pitcher Frank Spaide said. \u201cWith this falling through, it definitely raises a big problem for the baseball organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In October, Hood\u2019s Board of Trustees signed a letter of intent with the City of Frederick to move forward with Max Kehne as a new home field. The partnership was to result in a shared public\/private field that would require the current softball field at Max Kehne to be reconstructed into a baseball venue that meets NCAA field requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Community members were quick to express their grievances with this plan, citing traffic, light and sound pollution and parking problems as just some of their many worries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Nov. 7, a Facebook page called \u201cSave Max Kehne Park\u201d was created. As listed on the page, the group\u2019s goal is to \u201cshare information and organize to find a cooperative solution instead of being bullied into a hostile takeover of our public space.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other community voices took to writing letters to the Frederick News-Post. \u201cThese plans will result in lowering our quality of life, diminishing residents\u2019 ability to enjoy the park and their homes, damaging our health, and lowering property values,\u201d an opinion published Nov. 15 by local resident Dennis Barrow stated. \u201cThe people living near Hood College and Max Kehne Memorial Park are being overlooked and ensnared in a process replete with bad faith and devoid of transparency that gives no consideration to the well-being of the people who would be most affected,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hood held two neighborhood listening sessions on Nov. 4 and 12, where community members could offer feedback regarding the school\u2019s plans to refurbish Max Kehne. The first public forum recorded an attendance of about 80 people. \u201cAt both meetings, we heard your concerns and strong opposition to this project,\u201d Ricker said in an email to community members. \u201cWe have therefore decided not to advance our proposal to the City of Frederick for consideration.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI feel like it should be a surprise, but it\u2019s not,\u201d Spaide said of the decision. The team has been hearing about the potential of a new home field since the start of the semester. \u201cIt was only an idea, but then it had started to almost become reality until the recent news was released,\u201d Spaide added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Blazers have played home games at Frederick Community College (FCC) since their inaugural season in 2015 and will continue to play there through the 2025 season. However, the FCC contract is unlikely to be renewed beyond that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the Frederick News-Post, in light of the recent decision, Hood will continue exploring other field options, such as McCurdy Field and Loats Park, both properties of the City of Frederick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An op-ed authored by Ricker regarding the decision to discontinue pursuing Max Kehne will be published by the Frederick News-Post on Saturday, Nov. 23.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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