Palmer Park — Attraction in Madison

Girls Softball Tournaments played at Palmer Park today with temperatures reaching well over 100 degrees. These girls of all ages from 6 years old and up. My understanding they play pool games then brackets Gold and Silver are determined after reviewing the teams stats and games.During the championship games were being played the alarms started sounding with lighting detected. Everyone was asked to vacate the fields for safety reasons and this was done an orderly fashion with one thing in mind, safety for all. It started raining. Fields were very wet with water standing. Decision was made to cancel games due to so much rain and the fields too wet. Finish the championship games on Sunday. Upon another decision was made to not finish the tournament and just give out the rings to those ended up top of two brackets. This is where I would like for the decision made to be explained to these Girls who came together as a team and played their hearts out and then to the parents and grandparents. Four teams advanced to the Championship games with two teams in the Gold Bracket and two teams in the Silver Bracket (Not the Loosers bracket). I have been involved with my children and grandchildren for many years in All-Stars and Travel Ball which takes alot of practices, time, money, referees, the men, women and young people who take time to supply and work the concession stand, to keep the park clean and most the coaches, parents for everyone to enjoy the number goal for the Children. They love the game. The hard work, friendships made, how much they have learned and so much more with their goal is to win and get that ring. To my knowledge all games are to be played, completed then there would be the two Championship games that consists of two teams that are placed in a Gold Bracket and two teams in a Silver Bracket. Games are played and final their is a 1st place Champion and 2nd place or Runner of each bracket. There is always four boxes of rings of which is what these girls play for and they are going to get a bling, bling ring and they go out on the fields and all are acknowledged with hearing their name called and run to their coach to be given that little bag with that ring in it. 4 teams, one Gold bracket with Champion and Runner up, 1st and 2nd place and one Silver bracket with Champion and Runner up, 1st and 2nd Place. Again to hear Their names being called out and acknowledged through the dirt stains on their uniforms, sweating, and beads under their necks and fun, fun, fun. And their parents, grandparents, coaches see those girls so happy, grins all over their faces. In light of all this that should have happened but a decision was made to give Rings out to 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place only. My granddaughter and each and every one of those girls played their hearts out with such zeal and with so much excitement knowing she was going to get a ring. It did not matter Gold, Silver, 1st or 2nd that at the end of the day 4 teams, 4 groups of little girls were going to get a blingy ring instead my little granddaughter walked back to the car with eyes red, upset and crying, "Momo, we didn't get a ring. Again, I do not understand how this decision was made to award a 1st place, a 2nd place and a 3rd place with at the end of the day when their were two brackets, one Gold and one Silver, four teams, 1st and 2nd place for each bracket. Again, please explain this to me so I can explain to my granddaughter with tears streaming down her face why these girls did not get a ring for their achievement. Upset...

Okay this is problematic because I did not totally dislike this ballpark.We were at the quads with fields 9-12.The positives......they got dirt, grass, field, a mound and fences. They also allowed outside coolers so props for that. There was also ample room to set up your own seating and tents along the fence. Now the negatives. 1.) Lack of shade. The only shade offered is that of the press box and depending on the time of day that may not be any. They do hang a net over the bleachers but it helps little so be prepared to being your own tent. 2.) The bathrooms were pretty gross. Some people do not care about this but if you're spending all day at the park the odds of having to take a deuce are not in your favor if you know what I mean. They are minimally maintained and the toilets leak at the base so the floor is always wet. 3.) The curb appeal is very low. All the windows of the press box were broke with a plastic looking thing covering the window. There were also an abundance of ant hills in the grass areas between the ballfield. 4.) Its in a busy area. The park is situated near a train track and an airport is down the road. The lights at the field also buzzed REALLY loud. All this combined takes away from the experience you look for at a ballpark. 5.) Last but certainly not least, the parking sucks. If you don't arrive early the march downhill isn't too bad but after spending a day there having to hike several terraces is enough to make you furious. In summary, the city of Madison is doing a disservice to it's citizens with the sub par facility. Especially given the amount of revenue generated from USSSA and Dizzy Dean...

We are not sporty people so I'm not a sports park aficionado. My son played his first season of soccer here in AL and our practices and some games for AYSO were at Palmer Park.

The baseball area is super nice and well lit. The bathrooms are nice and close to the baseball fields.

The soccer fields are further away with no nearby bathrooms. You'd have to walk to the baseball area to use real bathrooms. Parking was not really an issue for me, but I don't know about different times throughout the day. Some times might be busier than others especially on game day. We were lucky enough to have fantastic lighting on our field when it got dark earlier during the day, but I saw some teams practicing in the dark with no lights. They got residual light from the baseball field and the other soccer fields but you still can't see. Some parents resorted to turning on their headlights so their kids can practice. That is ridiculous! Do better!

Oh make sure you check the status of the park on the Madison city website to make sure the whole park isn't closed...