Roberto Alomar Pens Letter To Edmonton Mayor To Keep RE/MAX Field

By Len Nunes

“There is a proposal, I am told, by certain developers in this town to demolish the ballpark and build condos in its place,” said Prospects Managing Partner Pat Cassidy.

The wonderful memories of the Edmonton Prospects Gala on February 24th still sit front and center in the minds of all who attended. Keynote speaker Roberto Alomar made good on his promise to the Prospects owners and fans by penning a letter to Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson.

Alomar wrote the letter as an effort to make sure our beautiful park does not fall victim to the “wrecking ball” treatment. Here is an excerpt from the letter:

“I (Alomar) am very pleased with the ever improving quality of baseball in Alberta along with the enthusiasm and passion that I encounter wherever I go. Not only is the upswing of baseball in Alberta a result of the recent success of the Blue Jays, it is also largely due to organizations such as the Edmonton Prospects who work with local grassroots baseball league players and coaches to help improve their skills. This is essential in providing a very important link and catalyst in a chain that can aid Canadian Athletes to the next level.

The recently renamed RE/MAX Field is an important Centre of Excellence for aspiring baseball players. It provides a showcase venue to not only demonstrate skills and talents, but to inspire hundreds of thousands of kids throughout Western Canada by showing them that they too can have that opportunity to play in front of thousands of fans who respect their skill and accomplishments.

While at the Gala the Prospects Owner, Mr. Patrick Cassidy, spoke passionately about this being a critical year for the ballpark as the City of Edmonton is in the midst of determining its long-term fate through its River Crossing Neighbourhood Structure Plan (NSP) project.

I can’t emphasize enough the importance of this ballpark for baseball in Alberta and, more importantly, how devastating it would be to the baseball community and the many young players if it were demolished.”

Your Edmonton Prospects have been to back-to-back WMBL Championship Series but have fallen just short of their ultimate goal. Failure to convince Edmonton City council to keep the ballpark is not an option.

“I say we can’t let this happen, and it is our responsibility and mission – and when I say our mission, I mean anyone and everyone who cares about baseball, the river valley and the future of both. We simply can’t let this happen.” Another quote from Prospects Managing Partner Pat Cassidy, who has been proud of the steady growth of the Prospects over the past few years while playing out of the lovely downtown ballpark.

The Prospects are already selling spots in their annual Kids Camp held every July where coaches and players of the Edmonton Prospects teach kids baseball techniques. The smoothly run Kids Camp reports higher enrollment with each passing season.

Are you asking yourself what you can do to help? Aside from the obvious answer of coming to as many games as possible, be vocal and proud about the games you do attend. We are in a social media age, share your pictures on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. If Roberto Alomar wrote a letter to the Mayor, you can too.

Raise your voice! Be proud of that our City has a beautiful baseball park and let everyone know that Edmonton deserves to keep it!