Little League to seek alternate sites for Central Region headquarters

Little League International might look for sites outside of Zionsville for its new Central Region headquarters following some public opposition to a housing project associated with the development.

During a Zionsville Board of Zoning Appeals meeting Tuesday night, Little League International senior vice president administration and CFO Dave Housknecht read a statement from Little League president and CEO Stephen Keener in which he stated, “Little League International believes it’s in everyone’s best interest to begin exploring other options, both with the Zionsville Local Organizing Committee and potentially elsewhere within our Central Region.”

Williamsport, Pennsylvania-based Little League International announced in November it would move its Central Region headquarters from the northeast side of Indianapolis to Zionsville, which was one of 70 communities, including nearby Westfield, to submit proposals. Vacant land at 8602 E. County Road 500 South was chosen for the location.

The regional office oversees a 13-state district that includes operations for 26,000 youth baseball and softball teams and about 375,000 players. It also hosts the regional championship tournament in August that draws thousands of visitors and is typically broadcast on ESPN.

In March, Pulte Homes of Indiana filed paperwork with the town of Zionsville detailing its plans for the 57.7-acre site. Pulte Homes had an agreement in place to purchase the land and donate 18 acres to Little League.

Some 18 acres bordering Whitestown Road would be occupied by Little League’s new headquarters, and the remaining land–about 40 acres–would be developed into a 78-home subdivision.

That proposal has drawn opposition from neighbors, who say the subdivision was never included in early plans to bring Little League to Zionsville. They were concerned about the subdivision’s high-density in a more rural area of town. They even launched a website, zvilleprojectconcerns.com, in opposition of the project.

The developer seeks approval to deviate from the town’s development standards to construct the headquarters as well as the subdivision. On Tuesday, Pulte’s request was continued until the July board of zoning appeals meeting.

Keener’s statement said when Little League announced it had chosen Zionsville for the headquarters, the news was met with enthusiasm, but since then, there’s been some animosity.

“We take pride in being a community-based organization and a place where people can come together to provide children an enjoyable, meaningful activity,” the statement reads. “Through the relocation process, we have become increasingly aware of animosity and ill feelings from the Zionsville community toward the proposed site for our potential relocation.”

Rinebold said he’s disappointed in the neighbor's actions and said Pulte has been involved since the land was identified for the project. 

“It is unfortunate that the voices of a few individuals cancel out the thousands of the silent majority that wanted the Central Region to call Zionsville home as demonstrated over the course of the past two years that have gone into this project,” he said in written comments.

“I don't fault LLI for making the statement they did on Tuesday evening,” he said. “I still hold out hope that Zionsville will be that place and look forward to taking the next several days to ensure that happens.”

He implored residents who support the project to contact town hall.

Representatives for Little League International confirmed the organization is exploring other options but declined to comment further.