Legion to Show Plans for Baseball Complex

The 20th District American Legion Baseball Commission will give residents their first look Thursday night at the proposed development of an American Legion Youth Baseball Complex at the western edge of the Sepulveda Basin.

The commission and the Sepulveda Basin Users Committee will present information and take public testimony about a sports complex planned for a 23-acre site near White Oak Avenue and Oxnard Street.

The complex, which will have two full-size diamonds, a storage building and a meeting room, will house the legion’s daylong baseball clinics during the summer months--designed to give teenagers something to do while they are out of school.

“We want to keep them off the streets,” said commissioner Mel Swerdling. “We’ll make them so tired that when they go home at night, they won’t even be able to finish their television, let alone be on the streets.”

The land, currently being used as a cornfield, is surrounded by baseball diamonds and recreation areas, but Swerdling said this complex would be unique.

The program would not replace its current youth baseball league--which serves as a practice ground for high school baseball players--but instead emphasize teaching the game and perfecting techniques.

Baseball clinics and lectures would be the primary focus rather than straight league play, although students would participate in daily competition as well, Swerdling said.

Organizers said they hope the clinics will attract 600 or 700 youths, ages 13 to 18, from all over the San Fernando Valley.

An environmental assessment and negative declaration draft have been prepared for the project and will be discussed at the meeting, expected to be attended by civic leaders and residents.

Thursday’s hearing will begin at 7 p.m. at the Balboa Sports Center, 17015 Burbank Blvd.