It's funny how these threads get off on tangents. Some people don't like it, others, like me, kind of like the random directions...
When LZ put in a turf football field 3 years ago, there was no more vocal opponent than I. At a cost just shy of $800,000 I thought that the money could be better spent on the athletes and making them better (to be fair, all the money was fundraised, the district just loaned the shortage so construction could start early enough for fall season).
I have to admit I was wrong. Not only is the field always playable, but the field is used constantly by schools and outside groups (football & s****r youth leagues). It was a great investment in the community.
I know a baseball field would not have the same ubiquitous use as a football/s****r field, but still, given the communities availability to use it, it could prove an unlocked asset.
JMHO