Petition opposes new sports fields at Toro County Park.

Who would win in a fight between a softball player and a cross-country runner? That showdown is happening—politically, at least—over a section of county park off Highway 68.

Salinas-area sports leaders are reportedly asking the Monterey County Parks Department to approve the construction of three softball fields, a soccer-football field, storage and concession facilities on the Badger Flats area of Toro County Park.

Detractors, including a vocal segment of cross-country runners, say the proposal amounts to privatization of a valued public resource. Now the opposition has escalated with a petition at change.org. As of 6pm May 19, the blog was just a few dozen short of its 1,000-signature goal.

"This is an inappropriate attempt by privatized interests to seize control over a much-loved community funded public park used for decades by Monterey County Schools cross-country programs as their home course and as a Central Coast Section Championship approved course," the petition states.

"This will affect many individuals and families from Salinas, South County, North County and the Peninsula who use the Park to celebrate birthdays, Quinceañeras and weddings, church events, family reunions, etc.…

"This will displace thousands who currently use the park as an inclusive environment to be replaced with an exclusive crowd of a few baseball players who own property nearby."

The County Parks Department has not yet scheduled a public hearing of the proposal. Softball field proponent Warren Wayland reportedly held a community meeting earlier this month.