BY LEON B. CREWS
Sentinel Staff Writer

Last Friday, two representatives for 10 independent kickball teams met with the City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department. The meeting was to clarify under what rules the teams would be allowed to play, and to arrange a schedule.

However, Betty Stewart, a member of the N-2-Deep Kickball Team out of Robles Park, said the meeting was not what they expected.

Ms. Stewart said the city outlined three options for the teams to be able to play. They are for them to either pay insurance, get a permit, or join the city league. Ms. Stewart said the biggest push was for them to join the city league.

“We put this together so we could have something that belonged to us,” said Ms. Stewart.

“These teams were put together in the community, and all we asked is permission to practice and play at the city parks.”

City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Team Supervisor, Alvin Holder, said they did meet with the kickball representatives, and gave them three options. They were supposed to come back with their decision and we haven’t heard anything.”

“We told them they can practice, but they have to pay a fee of $10-per-hour. They also have to coordinate a schedule as to where the games will be played. They are supposed to present us with a schedule, and we haven’t gotten that yet.”

“If they haven’t secured a permit and put the games on anyway, they will be shut down by law enforcement.”