A deep division has emerged within a Texas community following a contentious city council vote that will permit the sale of alcohol during youth baseball games.
A Controversial Decision
The Burleson City Council in Texas voted 5-2 earlier this week to approve the sale of alcoholic beverages at the Burleson Chisenhall Sports Complex. This means adults will be able to purchase beer and wine from the complex's concession stand while watching children's baseball matches.
The move has sharply split local residents, mirroring the split vote of their elected officials. One parent welcomed the development, calling baseball a 'social sport' and expressing enthusiasm for the new offering. Another parent, Meredith Todd, told reporters she believed it was a 'good idea', suggesting that a glass of wine while watching her child play on a Wednesday evening would be a pleasant way for parents to socialise responsibly.
Voices of Concern and Consequence
However, the decision has been met with significant opposition. Ray Jones, a long-time volunteer at the complex who has served as a coach and umpire, voiced strong objections during the council meeting. He stated he does not 'think alcohol has a place here, period.'
Jones expressed fears that introducing alcohol into an environment where parents can already become emotionally charged and competitive could lead to trouble. 'There are situations with angry parents, coaches, people get emotional, and you add alcohol to that, it's like, 'What are we doing?'' he said. He pointedly added that this is a child's event, not a nightclub or rock concert.
Beyond the debate over family atmosphere, the policy change carries significant practical consequences. The operation of the concession stand will be transferred from the local youth association to a private contractor. This shift eliminates part-time job opportunities for teenagers, who previously worked the stand, as state law typically requires workers to be at least 18 years old to serve alcohol.
'And now that money is going to a corporation,' Jones lamented, highlighting the dual loss of earnings for both the youth association and local teens.
Council Defence and New Rules
Defending the vote, Mayor Chris Fletcher indicated he had consulted with leaders from other towns that allowed similar alcohol sales and was told they had experienced no issues. The new rules include specific restrictions: alcohol sales will only be permitted at games involving players older than 12 and during special events like Fourth of July celebrations. Crucially, sales will be suspended for all Little League games and practices.
The community in Burleson now watches to see whether this new policy will, as supporters hope, bring people together, or if the concerns of opponents will be realised on the baseball diamond.
