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Online now: 3 members: TABLE SETTER 11, TD51, TT Man; 149 anonymousDiscussion: TOC TOURNAMENT AND SPRING NATIONALS ETC HELD IN AUBURNDALE POKE COUNTY FLORIDA
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| June 4, 2018 G MAN Men's 55 35 posts | TOC TOURNAMENT AND SPRING NATIONALS ETC HELD IN AUBURNDALE POKE COUNTY FLORIDA I am writing this to everyone in Senior Softball as most of us dont get opportunity to play in Auburndale. Florida unless its the TOC or Spring Nationals or some other tournament. We just played a weekend of Florida Half Century Softball at a complex that is so poorly maintained that no one especially members of Senior Softball who pay lots of money should put up with this run down complex any more / or EVER. The grounds keeper who use to try and keep the fields in good shape has retired and the attitude of poke county employees is so hostile that its time to find a pristine complex for all of us to enjoy as ther are many in the state of florida now. We were told this weekend by Poke county employeees that if we ever go back on to those empty soccer fields again to hit before the games we are going to have you arrested. OMG . I think when he told us that foam was coming out of his mouth !!! but honestly what does this complex think we are going to do hit in the parking lot with a field of snakes and rats. To make matters worse they even locked the gates so you could not drive behind the fields and I am sure they were exhausted from performing that simple exercise. With the good old boys just hanging in there shed watching the grass grow the infields where all in need of mouth to mouth and were in such poor shape with grass growing throughout and the outfields all over grown. I am not sure what was worse the grass or ALL the aunt mounds all over the out fields. One of the players was laying down on the grass by the bathrooms and was attacked by a bunch of wasps. I can't make this crap up !!! BTW , Before I foget The batters box had holes deeper then 5 inches and about 2 feet wide so when you batted you stood in this huge hole and if you were 6 ft your now 5.5 Do you think after every game those lazy employees came out to correct the holes or smooth out the infield not a chance in hell. You should all get the idea by now. This place is a first class dump and its time for senior softball to do something and move on to better pastures..... I hope you all understand that enough is enough after all theses years one story after another . Lets try the Disney Complex maybe or try anything but this place ...Hey its only money . Thanks for hearing me vent . G man |
| June 5, 2018 B.J. 1105 posts | I haven't been there in a while, but I think you mean Polk County |
| June 5, 2018 raiderman66 77 posts | G Man I play in the FHC too and I would say contact Mike Knowles the chairman of the association. He is a very knowledgeable guy and someone who is good at getting things done. Hopefully he can assist on looking into the fields here. |
| June 6, 2018 leftybob Men's 60 109 posts | I assume you played at Loyce Harpe Park, which back in the day was called Carter Road. I would agree completely about the complex. It is an absolute dump. Those fields have been utilized for many many years and have never been improved upon. Unfortunately the Senior organizations continue to play there year in and year out with no concerns. It's really embarrassing. |
| June 7, 2018 rpthpr01 11 posts | Winter Nationals - Lee Co. In Cape Coral renovations at the NW complex has begun, the 5 fields are being regarded, batting boxes redone, new concessions and restrooms. Should be ready for November. |
| June 7, 2018 leftybob Men's 60 109 posts | That's great. |
| June 14, 2018 cheezhed1 Men's 70 47 posts | I totally agree with G man. I have been a member of FHC for over 20 years and this is one of the worst, if not thee worst, complex we play at. When it was called Carter Road complex years ago, it was in very poor condition. FHC stopped playing there because of renovations. Most of us thought it was going to improve the field conditions. It appears that the only renovations and additions had nothing to do with the softball fields. I understand that FHC searches for complexes to accommodate many teams and availability can be a challenge. This complex should be eliminated from consideration until the necessary improvements are made and approved by FHC. I have no doubt when Polk County is listed as the monthly tournament location, every manager and player holds their breath hoping there division won't be playing there. Come on FHC! Your main concern should be safety for it's members and decent field conditions. It's challenging enough to realize, as seniors, the older we get, the better we used to be. We deserve and have earned the right to play at complexes that are acceptable while playing the game we all love. |
| June 14, 2018 Panther Men's 70 32 posts | The Auburndale softball complex is not the same as Loyce Harp/Carter Road. They are two different complexes. The Auburndale complex does have soccer fields in the back. There is also a race car track on the right on the road into the complex. "Carter Road" is closer to Lakeland. Have not played at either in several years, but I always preferred Auburndale of these two. The best in that area is Diamondplex. |
| June 14, 2018 DaveDowell Men's 70 4312 posts | The Auburndale Sports Complex facility was used by Polk County as the recovery/clean-up staging site for the extensive Hurricane Irma damage from last Fall ... There were literally thousands of cubic yards of debris, felled trees and other structural components from destroyed homes and businesses staged there for processing, handling and removal ... Natural disasters take a higher priority over a couple of softball events in the same area ... Fairness would seem to indicate a bit of patience in light of the circumstances would be appropriate before harshly condemning the facility ... Thanks ... |
| June 14, 2018 cheezhed1 Men's 70 47 posts | It appears there is a little confusion as far as which complex, Auburndale or Loyce Harp(Carter Road)complex we were discussing. Having played at both many times, Auburndale, next to the speedway, is by far a better facility. My comments were directed towards Loyce Harp and the poor conditions. I was under the impression that G Man was referring to Loyce Harp, which is south of Lakeland, not Auburndale. G man, please clarify which complex you were talking about and Dave, you were referring to Auburndale. Correct me if I'm wrong. |
| June 14, 2018 DaveDowell Men's 70 4312 posts | The title of the thread is: TOC TOURNAMENT AND SPRING NATIONALS ETC HELD IN AUBURNDALE POKE COUNTY FLORIDA ... There is only ONE complex in Auburndale that we use ... No confusion here on my initial response ... Apparently some confusion by G MAN on the County name (POLK) ... |
| June 23, 2018 G MAN Men's 55 35 posts | Its G man here again and yes I am sorry but my post should have read POLK County but if you make an error after you post something on this site you cannot edit. Yikes !!! The fields I was referring to were the AUBURNDALE Fields , honestly I have read everyone comments and fully hear all of you but in life you get what you pay for and this complex like most older complexs in Polk county are being poorly maintained. Its now time the silent majority speaks up about the places and conditions of softball complexes being selected for play. In conversations I have had with other players it was my feeling teams would pay more for great fields and locations . It is also my understanding that POLK County gave Senior Softball USA $100,000.00 for 10 years to play in POLK County and thats why we are stuck with ridiculous conversations about broken down complexes in 2018 . It would have been great if there was some kind of an out clause if Softball Complexes were not keep in pristine conditions. Finally, For all softball players who don't live in Florida and enjoy coming here to play balll and enjoy the weather and all that Florida has to offer for themselves and especially their families there are many newly built softball complexes all over the state to enjoy without all this back and forth. So now its up to ALL of you to speak up and be heard or this all will become another moot issue like posting scores in a timely manner . Go Yankees :>)) |
| June 23, 2018 G MAN Men's 55 35 posts | G man again ...... I have enclosed for your review one new softball complex in Seminole County Florida ,which is only a few miles from the Auto Train and just off of I-4 and 95, This way you can see what I was speaking about in reference to new Softball Complexes . Let me also say I am not suggesting this complex to play in , I am only showing you whats out there for all of us and how great theses new Softball Complexes are now. "Boombah Sports Complex " at Seminole County. |
