Wyatt gives update on Blytheville Sportsplex facilities

By Joseph Fondren

Sports Connection Team

BLYTHEVILLE— Tuesday afternoon at the Blytheville Lions Club weekly meeting, they were updated on the Sportsplex in Blytheville and items the city of Blytheville and facilities board have in the works to update the Sportsplex from the facilities board president and Blytheville Baseball Softball (BBSB) board member Seth Wyatt. 

“The sportsplex is still an amazing facility,” explained Wyatt. “We still host the little league for baseball and softball. During that season, we may have 300-400 people out there, if not more, depending on how many leagues are playing. We have a lot of good things going on, and a lot of positive things.”

Wyatt added that numbers have affected the sportsplex since the COVID pandemic 2020. 

According to Wyatt, during his youth- 15 to 20 years ago - the Sportsplex was at its “height” with 700- 800 kids, if not more. 

He added that the soccer league didn’t even have a season due to a lack of volunteers but draws 300- 400 kids as well. 

Since Wyatt joined the board a few months ago, he stated his goal is to help ground crew director Larry Morris with the equipment needed. 

According to Wyatt, the Sportsplex is “just tired” as the facilities were built in the early 2000s and haven’t had many upgrades since opening day. 

Wyatt added he hates the day that Morris decides to retire because no one will be able to replace him.

Lion Tommy Abbott added that no one would be able to replace the work Morris has done. 

“He’s really good at what he does,” mentioned Wyatt. 

Wyatt added Mayor Melissa Logan and the city of Blytheville have been a big help and he hopes the relationship continues as the two sides still have a lot of work down the road. 

Some upgrades Wyatt discussed were updating signage around the park and a ledger to show where each field is. 

An issue concerning equipment was mentioned as well due to old equipment breaking down and taking weeks to months to be fixed when much of the equipment needs to be fixed within a few days.

However, the equipment needed could range from $15,000 to $20,000. 

Wyatt called for help from the audience about getting parents and kids involved at the sportsplex, whether it be for baseball, softball, soccer, walking, fishing, or even letting the new dog park be used.

Wyatt addressed community concerns about tournaments not being held at the Sportsplex. 

“We can still host a tournament, but in my opinion, I don’t want to bring a tournament here, and get the people here and then have a park that looks tired and doesn’t look like it should,” explained Wyatt. “When we do get a tournament in here in the future. I’d like for it to look fresh and nice like we actually put some time and money into it.” 

Lion Dave Russell joked with Wyatt about drawing a crowd by asking for Wyatt to bring free pizza to the ballfields as Wyatt is the owner of the Pizza Inn in Blytheville.

Wyatt responded, “That’d probably help. I’ll do it if you give away free furniture.” 

The banquet room at the Blytheville Country Club burst into laughter. 

Lion Kevin Snow asked if the new dog park at the sportsplex was being used. 

Wyatt stated he has seen activity there and it is great to have one; however, one concern he has noticed is the dog park has a good play area for smaller pets but he wishes it was a little bigger for larger pets. 

He added they will look into possible upgrades in the future. 

Another question was about building a boat ramp for local fishermen to access the pond. 

Wyatt stated he doesn’t know if that is possible, but something he had thought and discussed with several people is similar to Craighead Forest in Jonesboro which would allow kayaks to be put into the pond. 

Lion Randy Jumper asked about the possibility of turfing the fields at the sportsplex. 

Wyatt stated two companies have been to the fields before, but concerning finances, it’s expensive. However, Wyatt added the city, along with the facilities board and board members in the BBSB, will have to look at grants to help with turfing the fields along with other upgrades. 

Wyatt added another reason he’d like to look into turfing the fields due to less maintenance when Morris retires. 

Lion Paul Newell added he and his wife walk and are grateful for the mowing along the walking trail and waterfront, calling the mow a “change for the better” and added the city is “going to be in a real bind” when Morris retires. 

A question was asked concerning the tax that built the sportsplex. 

Wyatt stated the tax was permanent but as time passed the tax went to help in other areas in Blytheville. 

Lion Joseph Fondren asked about the updates to the scoreboards and a possible waterpark/ playground that had been mentioned in previous city council and facilities board meetings. 

Wyatt stated the scoreboards are updated and operational, with the exception of a few bulbs blowing. The scoreboards will also have new advertisers on them after being advertised by Farmers Bank and Trust since their inception. 

Wyatt added the Blytheville Lions Club, Pizza Inn, Southern Bancorp, and Farmers Bank and Trust are the four scoreboards currently, which cost $6,000 for four years. 

According to Wyatt, the total on the scoreboards was around $13,000 and the remainder of the money went into buying a new Bad Boy Mower to help Morris and the ground crew. 

Concerning the waterpark and playground, Wyatt stated there wasn’t much “serious discussion” pertaining to a splash pad. The playground was a BBSB project that, after not being able to secure the roughly $80,000, was put on the back burner.

Wyatt stated, “It’s definitely a need.”

“There’s a lot of money that can be spent out there,” said Wyatt. He continued by stating he could spend over $1.5 million in a day quickly. 

The topic of the fields getting turf was mentioned and Wyatt stated if the fields ever did get turfed there would be sponsors names on the fields.