Stillwater Sports Association Pushes for Turf Fields After Rainy Season

The Stillwater Area Sports Association presented its annual report to the City Council on June 16, highlighting successful youth and adult sports programs while emphasizing how weather challenges significantly impacted tournament revenue and participation this year.

Executive Director Carolyn Walstad told council members that tournament participation dropped from nearly 4,000 participants in 2024 to 2,400 in 2025 due to weather-related cancellations. Several major tournaments were completely rained out, including the April 4-6 Bedlam Shootout with 103 teams and the June 10-12 USSSA State tournament with 27 teams.

"April 4th, 5th and 6th I had 103 teams. It was completely rained out," Walstad said. "We had our baseball Simmons League tournament. We had 42 teams that had committed to play. It was rained out."

The association operates youth baseball, softball, basketball, flag football programs and adult softball and volleyball leagues throughout the year. SASA partially sponsored 273 youth to participate in various leagues during the 2024-2025 seasons and relies on over 400 volunteer coaches who dedicate their time to Stillwater youth sports programs.

However, Walstad's primary focus during the presentation centered on the need for turf fields to combat weather-related cancellations. She noted that tournaments with turf fields were the only ones able to play during the challenging spring weather.

Addressing Councilor Tim Hardin's question about how Stillwater is comparing to other communities building new facilities with turf Walstad shared that Stillwater is significantly lagging behind nearby communities.

"We're behind on that. We're losing teams [to] Oklahoma City, Bixby, Midwest City, Edmond," Walstad said. "But the only hook that we have is people love coming to Stillwater."

She proposed building a seven-field complex with turf infields, estimating the cost at approximately $98,000 per infield. Walstad argued that turf infields would be sufficient for most weather conditions, as outfields can recover from moderate rainfall.

"I really think that turf, the infields would be enough. Most of them. If you're putting them in new as turf for the infields, you can drain the outfields out so that they could recover," she explained.

Mayor Will Joyce acknowledged the community's need for improved sports facilities, referencing visitor tax funds designated for amenities and facilities. He noted that ball fields have been identified as potentially the most impactful use of those funds.

"When we passed the visitors tax a couple years ago, we added that 30% on to say we need to spend this on amenities, facilities. This ball fields is certainly one of the things that's been identified as the biggest, probably the most impactful use of that money," Joyce said.

Despite the weather challenges, SASA maintains robust programming across multiple sports. The organization's youth activities generate 7,427 total participant experiences when factoring in games and practices over the season length, with youth baseball leading at 3,000 participant experiences.

The association's gross income for 2025 is projected at $336,000, with $216,000 coming from city allocation. However, the weather-related tournament cancellations significantly impacted revenue streams that help fund operations and facility improvements.

SASA maintains 35 acres of parks and operates the SASA Armory gym, which hosts pickleball from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday, along with adult volleyball, youth basketball, and private party rentals. The facility serves multiple community functions, including hosting Lincoln Academy physical education classes twice weekly.

"A day in the gym we have walkers, that is reserved from 8 to 9. Then we have three courts of pickleball from 9 to noon. Then we have men's league," Walstad explained. "Then it's open gym from 1:30 to 5. In the evenings there's usually somebody in there."

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The organization partners extensively with Stillwater Public Schools and Oklahoma State University. SASA teams scrimmage at OSU basketball games, receive discount tickets to wrestling and baseball events, and benefit from OSU tennis players serving as instructors for youth programs.

Walstad emphasized the economic impact of SASA tournaments on the community, estimating that 248 teams participating in tournaments bring approximately 9,539 out-of-town visitors annually. She calculated the total anticipated visitor spending at $1.67 million, generating an estimated $66,824 in sales tax revenue for the city.

The association made significant capital investments totaling $82,000 in 2024-2025, including equipment purchases, field improvements, and facility upgrades. Major expenditures included $50,000 for field improvements at Whittenburg, Babcock, Airport, and Strickland facilities.

SASA also serves the community through special programs, including the Stilly Gear Exchange, which allows parents to donate and shop for slightly used sports equipment. The organization assisted with Stillwater Strong relief efforts following recent wildfires, providing space for community donations.

The association continues to explore partnerships and funding opportunities to address facility needs while maintaining its extensive programming that serves hundreds of youth and adult participants throughout the year.

📺 Watch the SASA presentation to City Council