During an hours-long meeting to a standing-room-only crowd, the Lafayette City Council on Oct. 27 discussed whether to proceed with the conversion of the Chaney Field infield to allow use for both softball and baseball. Currently three of the city’s four natural grass fields include permanent baseball mounds and grass infields, rendering them unusable for regulation softball play, according to a staff report by Parks, Trails and Recreation Director Jonathan Katayanagi.

    At issue is compliance with AB 2404, the Fair Play in Community Sports Act, which requires equitable facilities and amenities for all genders.

    During his presentation to the council, Katayanagi described the current situation facing players and outlined the potential solution that had been approved by the Parks, Trails and Recreation Commission at its Aug. 13 meeting. “This is an old conversation that has gone on with Little League and LMYA boards of the past,” Katayanagi said. “In order to be compliant and to provide the same competitive opportunity that we afford for baseball,” several options were considered, but only one option fit the city’s $20,000 budget. “Softball can be played with no grass, and baseball can be played with a dirt infield as it’s played at all the school ballfields right now and in Upper Community Field.” 

    Katayanagi said at the root of this problem is a shortage of quality sports field facilities in the community. “Sports fields was identified as the number one need in the 2009 Parks Facilities Master Plan and the need pre-dates that plan. Softball has waited for 21 years to have access to fields and they've run out of patience. Baseball players have enjoyed the fields for 21 years, and they’re being asked to make room for softball, but they don’t have patience to wait for new fields. The solution to this problem is land, money and patience.” 

    There were over 39 speakers during the Public Comment portion of the meeting – many of whom were young softball players themselves. Saint Mary’s College women’s softball and men’s rugby players were also in attendance to show support.  

    According to LMYA softball commissioner Rachel Leonard, “Playing softball on grass is like asking a tennis player to use a pickleball racket,” adding that playing on grass infields changes the complexity of the game and slows play. 

    Dan Dietrich, who served on the Lafayette Little League board, in later public comment said, “These are the nicest fields in the county, and maybe the nicest fields in our state. The key item appears to be the question of grass and whether or not the infield of grass is unsuitable for softball. Looking for college level or professional level as the benchmark for success may not be the thing we can all adhere to,” and he suggested the community work together for a better Lafayette.

    Council expressed gratitude for LLL as well as Lafayette Moraga Youth Association (LMYA) and its volunteers for all their work over the years. Mayor Susan Candell said she would only support the changes to Chaney Field “if we have a timeline to restore the field after building a better softball facility.”

    Matt Chaney’s widow, Liz Chaney, and son Dylan Chaney spoke during the Public Comment portion, expressing their support for the change at Chaney Field. “I think the issue is patience. Chaney Field should be open to girls in 2026, period,” Liz Chaney said. “This is a passionate thing; we should not be tearing up the community around this. To honor Matt’s legacy for inclusion of all children, we should get this going. There is no reason for any girl to have to wait.”

    The council voted unanimously to approve staff’s recommendation to move forward with capital improvements at Buckeye Fields, including removal of the grass infield at Chaney Field to accommodate softball play. According to City of Lafayette spokesperson Suzanne Iarla, work is being done swiftly during a break in the reservation schedule and all four fields will be closed through January. To view the meeting online, visit https://www.youtube.com/live/1O-q6DnZDcc?si=KtlF1_gOQMvG37No&t=7319