No softball games on Sunday! That's what the City Council told an amateur softball tournament group that hoped to use Kaysville's Barnes Park for a Friday-to-Sunday tournament next July.
Voting 4-1 against the proposal during their Tuesday meeting, council members said they were representing the belief of a majority of residents.Triple Crown Sports, a decade-old sports organization out of Fort Collins, Colo., wanted to include Kaysville in its tri-state softball tournament agenda.
The organization's officials are impressed with the city's softball fields in Barnes Park, located just west of I-15 and near 200 North. However, they believe such a tournament has to be held on a three-day basis - Friday to Sunday - or it can't attract enough teams. The group considers Friday to Sunday the prime time period for such an event.
Triple Crown asked the city for a waiver in its no-Sunday-play policy for the once-a-year tournament.
"We'd really like to have something like this in Kaysville, but it boils down to the Sunday issue," Mayor H. Arthur Johnson said.
Councilman Stephen Whitesides said a Sunday use of the sports park doesn't suit Kaysville.
"I don't think a Sunday opening fits with Kaysville," he said.
Brian Cook, another councilman, said the city can't compromise on its moral values. He also questioned Triple Crown's theoretical economic benefits for such a tournament.
He, like most council members, believe neighboring Layton would gain - by far - the most economic benefit from such an event. Layton has the most hotels, restaurants, movie theaters, etc. in the area.
Councilman Joe Hill said there are several churches near the park, including the Kaysville Bible Church.
"It would be a bad image for us," Hill said.
Councilman Reed Nelson said he voted against the Sunday use because he doesn't want to set a precedent and feels a sports event on that day is not something most residents would support.
Robert Rees was the lone councilman who voted to allow Sunday play, saying he's not sure what to think of the proposal and wants to keep an open mind on the issue.
One long-time city resident, Bob Johnson, also spoke out in favor of the three-day tournament. He believes it would help the city's youths get involved in a good activity.