I have not played here before but see 60+ will be there next week. A teammate said we use restricted flight balls on this field, is that accurate?

60 AAA

GMCinCOS ... There is a minimal possibility that restricted flight softballs could be used at The Fields at Little Valley ... We will have them on site in case that chance turns into a reality ... There are a couple homeowners adjacent to the complex who take exception to softballs landing on or near their property, despite the fact that they bought their homes well after the complex was built and operating ... Generally, rather than come and talk to the Director, they just take the ball and drive down to City Hall to register a complaint, which is followed soon by a Parks and Rec. official visit! ...

This causes us to not use the excellent Little Valley fields if we don't have to ... If we need them, like this year, we schedule less likely home run power hitting divisions there ... This is the first time we've scheduled Little Valley for Session #2 since 2021 ... That year, we put 55-AAA and 50/55-AA there and it caused problems ... This year, we scheduled 45 games in S2 there, with only six of them being 60-AAA on Fields #2-3 ... If the 60-AAA aren't causing "neighbor problems", we'll stay with the standard BADEN Fire balls ... If that's not working, we'll go to the restricted flight balls for the remaining four 60-AAA games on Fields #2-3 after the two on Tuesday (which are early enough that they'll be done by the time we might get a City visit!) ... Anyway, that's the plan! ... Good luck! ...

thanks for the info.

I was really surprised we are playing 60AAA games at Little Valley. I hit weekly there, so I know the fields very well. First, Kudos to Senior Softball for understanding a bit where the trouble fields are-- I see minimal games scheduled on Field #3, which has a home that is in play for any long hitter, even 60 year olds. The other main trouble spot is field #1 in Right field. The home owners behind that field have often times tried to chase us away when we hit there. My hope is that we do not end up with oatmeal balls, which nobody wants.

My issue with Little Valley is that the city has really let these fields go. It used to be that saint george fields were the standard-- beautiful places to play and worth traveling to. I believe people will be surprised how crappy the Little Valley fields look right now (as of today). It's an expensive place to travel to, but at least the experience was great because of the venue. The fields aren't that any more, especially Little Valley. I know this is subjective-- just my opinion. Whoever is playing left field on field 4 at Little Valley, make sure you bring your mud shoes, since a big chunk of left field is a mess down the line. Unless a miracle happens in the next 3 days (they are getting rain and cold weather and recently fertilized), you will see brown, ugly fields. The infields are good, so no worries there. Litlte Valley fields used to be amazing year-round. Not so much any more.

I wish they could have gotten Gubler Fields in Santa Clara, which right now are much better fields than Little Valley. It didn't used to be that way at Gubler, but they are clearly better since they removed the temporary fencing and completed the fields a couple years back. Guessing Mesquite fields and Gubler were not available.

Jon44

Have tried for over a year to get SSUSA to consider Gubler. But, there may be a story behind the story. What St. G needs to do is put serious work into LV. Field 4's left field corner has been a mess for a decade or so and it's spreading towards CF and 3B. And over watering doesn't help.

Thanks for your insights Jon44 and DieselDan... Here are a few actual random comments from this message board about your preferred venue of Gubler Park ... I guess this is illustrative of why we get to choose between Coke vs. Pepsi or McDonald's vs. Burger King ... Each has their own fans, and unanimous consent isn't going to happen ...

• "..I implore SSUSA not to put us back at Archie Gubler Complex again.."
• "..I don't know who Archie Gubler was but he must have had some ill feelings towards 60AAA softball teams.."
• "..My team just played there in worlds, those fields were in poor condition.."
• "..With all due respect I have to agree with the comments about how poor the fields were at Archie Gubler.."

The 60-AAA and 60-AA will be playing at The Fields at Little Valley this year ... Do your best to effectively manage your team's limitless power hitting skills so we won't have to deploy the Restricted Flight ammo! ...

I would have agreed about Gubler a couple years back Dave, but the fields there have improved and the LV fields have declined... rather dramatically. Again, your point of pepsi vs coke is understood-- this is all subjective/matter of opinion. LV is super convenient for me because I have a home 1 min away, but I would still prefer Gubler (20 mins away) over LV in it's current state.

Maybe too I have been swayed by just how stupid the neighborhood is when a home run ball end up in the yard. People have threatened to call cops and have been very vocal (walking to field, raising voice and taking license plate numbers/taking pictures) when we hit on field #1. Field #4 is the only truly safe field to hit on, unless school is in session. For 90% of the 60AAA hitters it won't matter, but it will only take 1 ball over the net for the neighborhood to get stupid.

My hope is that this is much ado about nothing and we can hit real balls all weekend and there are no issues. Everyone can live with the brown/ugly grass.

Diesel Dan (whom I know) is 100% correct about left field on field #4 in it's current state (this week, not rumored... I just hit there Monday). It's not good.

With that said, we are playing softball and having fun no matter what field we play on.

The fields at Gubler are in amazing shape. They’ve also increased the parking at Gubler. Gubler has become the second best place to play in St. George, second only to the Canyons. The fields at Little Valley are seriously lacking the City’s attention.

Thanks again, Jon44 ... The Ballplayers and Homeowners controversy is a lot like the Hatfields and McCoys: Not a lot of sound reasoning involved! ... I scheduled just six TOTAL 60-AAA games on FLV Fields #2-3 ... And the first two are the first two on Field #2 on Friday ... My thinking is that those games will be done by the time they could slither over to City Hall, make the complaint, and have someone from the city back at the park ... That leaves only four net games remaining through Sunday ... If we have to go to the "other" ball, we will ... But it's minimal risk at this point ... We'll be fine there, we always are ...

I pretty much understand the complexity and pain in the butt logistics of managing large events...I've done so many of times. Hated it after awhile, and greatly appreciate those who don't get sick and tired of putting on events. Regardless, what Jon is saying is correct. I know because I live and play 5 games a week year round in St George. Gubler is a much better option than Little Valley, but it is what it is at this point. Just happy to be playing.

However, restricted flight balls are still going to hit the houses with 60+ AAA...65+ as well. Obviously less balls will clear the fences and nets, but it's going to happen. I don't believe the homeowners are going to be satisfied with just less balls landing in their yards or hitting their houses. Maybe writing "restricted flight" on the ball will give the homeowners pause when they pick it up and read it, or take it down to the city. Right handers on field 2, and left handers on field 1 are going to be the biggest problem. A high 330'-340' shot will hit at least three of the houses. At Gubler the houses are all over 380' away. Plus, the drainage at Gubler is 10X better than Little Valley.

I have seen the city do amazing things to dramatically improve the fields quickly, but have no idea what they have planned for next week. Guess we are gonna find out in a couple of days. Looking forward to seeing everyone again.

Greg Walker

If any homeowners show up, maybe if we all start limping they will feel bad about yelling at old guys with a bad leg and leave us alone. It works on the golf course. LOL. Yes, I've tested the theory.

Didn't the law suit some neighbors had against St. G several years back go nowhere since everyone knows the complex was there first.? The quotes DD brought up had to be several years back.