By Steven Sandberg
 
February 8, 2010
 
MEDFORD, Ore. - U.S. Cellular Community Park will soon be a little larger.
 
Three more baseball and softball fields will be added to the park, making a total of 9 baseball and softball fields in the complex. With the extra fields comes the possibility of expanded tournaments, in turn, bringing more business to the area, as teams and players come to Medford.
 
37 tournaments were held at the park last year, bringing more than 445 teams to the Rogue Valley. Medford officials estimate the park generated over $6.5 million in 2009, and since opening in May of 2008, they estimate its generated $9.5 million.
 
At a Medford City Council meeting last week, Parks and Recreation Director Brian Sjothun said the new addition would pay for itself in two years, and other officials say the new fields will help a growing baseball and softball scene.
 
"We needed the added fields. As time goes on, more and more teams are showing up, we don't have the parking or the fields that we need. These next three will really help out," said Steve Goetz with Medford Parks and Recreation.
 
No timetable has been given for construction of the three fields. A formal presentation concerning the economic impact of the new fields is scheduled to be given later this month.