Thanks to Ben Hillyer for bringing to our attention that we need a recreation complex by using the illustration from the Peanuts comic strip — Lucy jerks the football away just when Charlie Brown tries to kick the ball. Hillyer compared it to politicians jerking recreation off the table as soon as elections are over. Maybe this election will be different.

Here are some thoughts on recreation:

1. Across the railroad tracks in Duncan Park, the city added nine holes to the golf course. There was an adult softball and baseball field across the tracks. By replacing the ball fields with the nine holes, we were told the new nine holes would make enough money to pay for all of recreation. It did not happen.

2. Money was found to help the Natchez Visitor Reception Center. No money was found for recreation.

3. The Natchez Convention Center revenues were supposed to help with recreation. We are still waiting.

4. The tax of $2 per hotel bed would not be used for recreation, but to promote tourism. Can we believe tourism will bring in enough money to help recreation?

As a Dixie Youth National Director, I have attended 38 Dixie Youth World Series games located in towns and cities such as Hattiesburg, Lakeland, Fla., Mount Pleasant, Ala., Texarkana, Ark., Marshall, Texas, West Monroe, La., Laurel, Charleston, S.C., Dothan, Ala., and LaGrange, Ga.

Many of these places are no bigger than Natchez, but all have excellent recreational facilities. Not only do these towns provide a place for recreation, the people that have these facilities enjoy a place to see the children play.

Also, these facilities allow adults to not only relax, but a place for exercise. The recreation director in Montgomery, Ala., told me he makes enough from one adult softball tournament to fund recreation from all of Montgomery.

At each of the World Series events, hundreds of players, parents and supporters attend the games, staying in local motels and hotels and also eating at local restaurants and shopping at local stores.

These facilities not only hold youth ball tournaments, but also adult softball and baseball tournaments as well.

Also, let’s not forget that soccer is the fastest growing sport in the United States, and the need for local soccer playing fields is great.

Here are some things to think about:

1. Natchez and Adams County use the playground at Morgantown School for soccer without lights and other accomodations.

2. Natchez and Adams County have only one regular baseball field that is used by adults, Natchez High, Trinity Episcopal and Cathedral School.

3. Natchez and Adams County have no public swimming pool.

4. The Natchez Lions Club’s 13- and 14-year-old baseball teams play behind Covington Church of Christ.

5. Natchez and Adams County have no adult softball field.

Let’s hope that Adams County and Natchez can get together and help this by biting the bullet and providing recreation facilities for all of the people of the area.

Clarence A. Bowlin is active in Dixie Youth sports in the Miss-Lou and across the state.