Beginning in 2020 Clark County School District began the process of converting twenty-nine football fields to artificial turf to address the water crisis. About three years later, the Southern Nevada Water Authority received $2 million from the Bureau of Reclamation for the conversion of grass fields to artificial turf. Currently, As Sierra Vista High School’s baseball and softball seasons approach, the two teams face a new obstacle: their home fields will be under construction throughout their entire season.
With the teams’ spring seasons starting within the next months, coaches and players find themselves making new adaptations and difficult adjustments to keep their seasons on track. Mountain Lion Baseball now practices on Sierra Vista’s football field, at Marrucci batting cages, and occasionally at Desert Oasis. All future baseball games will be played on opponents’ turf, Brady Skinner (12), mentions, “Away games always bring a different challenge, having support at home, on our own field, brings comfort and confidence to players.” adding, “For Seniors, it will be sad not being able to have the Senior Night we have looked forward to the past three years.”
Mountain Lion softball is holding intramurals on the Sierra Vista football field and practices will likely be held at Faiss Middle School. Additionally, all future games for Mountain Lion softball will be away. Reagan Foglia (12), softball captain, mentions, “This season is going to be a challenge for the team. I know the seniors are sad they will not get to play any home games, including not having a normal senior night.” adding, “It will be hard to get in consistent effective practices.”
Looking forward to a full season ahead Mountain Lion softball and baseball look to conquer the challenges of no home games, limited practice space, and unusual circumstances. Although neither team will be playing on Mountain Lion turf, the full support of Sierra Vista staff and students will travel with them throughout the season. Reagan Foglia (12) states, “I have full faith that softball and baseball will be able to achieve success throughout the season.”
Make sure to go out and support your fellow Mountain Lions as their seasons begin. The baseball and softball schedule can be found on MaxPreps under these links:
