The town of Signal Mountain has more children involved in its recreational sports offerings than ever before. Soon, more practice space will be opened up to serve them: Norris Field, which residents have successfully petitioned to keep private until now.
“We’re at a point now where we’re completely maxed out,” said Recreation Department head Jarred Thompson. “There’s nowhere else to put anybody.”
And that’s at current numbers. Each year there are 40-60 new baseball players, and participation in flag football has increased exponentially over the years, he said. A new tackle football program is set to launch this year.
“It’s a great space, I hate to see it just sitting there when there’s such a need for more recreational space,” said Councilman Bill Wallace. “I think it’s a good compromise. Just to allow practice space takes a lot of demands off the pressures we do have.”
Due to the park’s location in a small neighborhood, only younger baseball players, in addition to older football players, will be allowed to practice there to minimize the possibility of stray balls, according to Town Manager Honna Rogers.