Jamie Martin Commits to CNU

Jamie Martin, P/1B for Firebirds 18U-Meyer, has committed to play softball at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA. Martin, in their fifth year as a Firebird, is currently a junior at South County High School. In 2019, as a sophomore, they were a Washington Post First Team All-Met, the VHSL Class 6A Virginia State Player of the Year, and fired a 17-inning shutout against Cosby to win the state championship. Congrats Jamie; we can't wait to see you in the royal blue and silver of the Captains!

All Hands on Deck: Light Clermont Park!

Great news regarding the Clermont Park lighting situation: The Park Authority's proposal is now to light one baseball and one softball field. While we'd love to have all fields lighted, it does not seem like the neighbors would go for it. We are excited about getting even just one more field, and have agreed to a 9:00 lights-out time.

Now, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has to vote on it. And they are hearing loud and clear from nearby residents that the lights, noise, and traffic will be too disruptive. WE NEED YOU TO HELP MAKE THE CASE THAT LOTS OF LOCAL RESIDENTS - OUR KIDS - WILL BENEFIT, AND DESERVE A LIGHTED BALLFIELD IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

There are two ways you (if you're a Fairfax County resident) can support this effort:

1. If you can attend the official public hearing on Tuesday, December 3, at 4:30 pm, please come to the Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax). We need people to speak. Please sign up to speak; in the "Application Number or Subject" line, enter "Clermont Park," and in the "Name of Group" line, enter "INDIVIDUAL." Once you have done so, please forward the confirmation email to Jesse Ellis at travel@nvgsa.org and he will send you some recommended talking points. It's really important to have a big showing for the public hearing; we know it's tough to get to Fairfax on a weekday, but if you can, we could really use you.

2. Email your Board of Supervisors representative. (Not sure who it is? Go to https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/myneighborhood/ - this works best on a desktop - and enter your address. On the left, the second entry will be "XXXX District Supervisor.") No matter who your representative is, also copy chairman@fairfaxcounty.gov (the Chairman is elected at-large and represents everyone) and leedist@fairfaxcounty.gov (Clermont is in the Lee District). Feel free to just let them know you support adding lights at Clermont Park and hope they will support it, too. Or copy and paste this recommended language:

On December 3, the Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing to consider allowing lights at Clermont Park in Lee District. I fully support this proposal, and hope that you will vote to allow it. My daughter plays softball for the Northern Virginia Girls Softball Association, which is the primary user of the softball fields at Clermont. With no lighted Park Authority fields dedicated to youth softball in that part of the county, lights at Clermont would really benefit our players, nearly 100 of whom live in the immediate vicinity of Clermont. Access to lighted fields allows teams more flexibility in scheduling practices and games, which really helps working families who do not always have to rush home to get kids to early practices to beat sundown. Please consider the needs of our girls, and of the boys in the area who play baseball for Pioneer, and vote to allow the lights at Clermont Park.

When you sign your email, either include your address or "XXX District resident."

Thank you for your support. We need all voices to advocate for our girls. If you have any questions, please email Jesse Ellis, NVGSA Vice President-Travel, at travel@nvgsa.org.

revised proposal for Clermont Park, showing lights on field 3 (a softball field)

Attend a Public Meeting on Clermont Park Lighting

The Fairfax County Park Authority will hold a public meeting to present information and get public feedback on proposed changes to the master plan for Clermont Park that would allow lighting of athletic fields there. The meeting will be on Thursday, November 21, at Clermont Elementary School, 5720 Clermont Drive, Alexandria, VA. Please attend and show your support for additional lighted softball fields in the Lee District area of the county.

The Park Authority first presented a master plan revision at a public meeting over the summer, prompting NVGSA and Firebirds families to submit numerous comments calling for the plan to include lighting for the softball fields and not just the baseball fields. (See our original post on this issue.) Based on feedback from the softball community, but also from nearby homeowners opposed to the lights, Jeff McKay, the Lee District representative to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, convened a task force to further discuss the matter. (See our post with more detail.) NVGSA is represented on the task force and has worked closely with Pioneer Baseball to educate other stakeholders on the actual intended impact of the lights on the neighborhood (minimal) and on our organization (great). We expect the Park Authority may be willing to alter the proposed plans.

But it is important that the County hears your voice. Clermont is an important facility for youth baseball and softball in an area that has few lighted fields. Please consider attending the meeting on November 21. Even if you don't speak at the meeting, your presence will help show there is real support for the lights from our community.

We will continue to keep you updated on further developments. If you have any questions about the process or the proposal, please contact Jesse Ellis, NVGSA Vice President for Travel, at travel@nvgsa.org.

The master plan amendment proposed by the Park Authority this summer would allow for lights on the two baseball fields (fields 1 & 4), but not the softball fields (2 & 3)..