A number of Del Ray residents locked arms around an oak tree slated for removal at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park in Del Ray on Wednesday, only days after City Council approved a plan to renovate the park.

Gisele McAuliffe, a 30-year Del Ray resident, says that the city’s approved plan to renovate the park will come at too great a cost — the removal of 40 trees. The age of the trees is in dispute, as the city says the oldest trees on the property were planted in the 1940s, while McAuliffe and her friends measured the trees and claim they are upward of 100 years old.

“The reason for tearing down these beautiful trees is that they want to expand parking and put in bleachers,” McAuliffe said. “A park that has to accommodate cars when there’s plenty of street parking and other parking in the area just doesn’t make sense.”

The approved plan calls for the removal of 41 trees around the 16-acre property to make way for an expanded parking lot, new lighting and pedestrian improvements. The city says that there is no chance for the trees slated for removal to be saved.

“To mitigate the 41 trees being removed, the City is planting of 110 native trees and over 350 shrubs,” Jack Browand, the city’s deputy director of Parks Services. “The design doubles the total tree canopy currently in the park.”

The land for Simpson Park was donated to the city in the 1940s and the two baseball fields at the park were built in 1953.

“The City has not identified a tree that is reportedly 150 years old,” Browand said. “Historical area photos show at least back to the late 40s, the site was primarily open space with an informal baseball field.”

The new trees, combined with the trees that will be preserved, will provide 25.3% crown coverage within the site area, meeting the 25% minimum requirement and doubling the amount of 12% of crown coverage that exists today, according to the city.

Sharp words are being batted around Alexandria, as the fifth annual Del Ray vs. Old Town Softball Battle is intended to settle a few scores.

Thursday’s contest pits a number of Old Town businesses against neighborhood rival Del Ray, and the series is tied at two apiece. Del Ray won the first year, followed by two consecutive Old Town wins, and then Del Ray took back the John Porter cup in a win last year. The cup, which was created by Old Town metal artist Chris Earny, now sits behind the bar of Pork Barrel BBQ, which is owned by Del Ray’s coach Bill Blackburn.

Mayor Justin Wilson will throw out the first pitch at 6 p.m. at Little Simpson Field (426 E. Monroe Avenue), and City Manager Jim Parajon and retired Sheriff Dana Lawhorne will be the umpires.

Chadwicks owner Trae Lamond is the Old Town coach, and says that his team doesn’t need to practice.

“We don’t need to practice to beat Bill and the softies in Del Ray,” Lamond said. “I know they’ve probably been brushing up on their yoga. We’ve been eating steak and bullets and gunpowder and we’re ready to win.”

Blackburn is questioning whether the former sheriff is a fair umpire after being spotted eating at Chadwicks on Mother’s Day with his family.

“I have some people in Old Town who said they saw Trae Lamond treat Dana Lawhorne to a Mother’s Day brunch,” Blackburn said. “I don’t know if Dana paid, but I question the integrity of an umpire who’s eating at a participating restaurant. I don’t know if anything improper happened, but knowing Trae I wouldn’t be surprised.”

Lawhorne confirmed to ALXnow that he took his wife and family to Chadwicks, but insists that he got no special treatment.

“I will confirm that my family was at Chadwicks on Mother’s Day,” Lawhorne said. “But anybody who knows Linda (Lawhorne’s wife) knows that she would never allow me to not pay. By the way, if anyone thinks Bill Blackburn would ever offer me a free meal doesn’t know Bill very well. Bill wouldn’t comp his own mom on Mother’s Day.”

Lawhorne added, “You can always count on me to be fair and impartial, but you can also count on me throwing Bill Blackburn out of the game if he so much as raises an eyebrow in my direction. And don’t worry about my eyesight, either. This time I’ll remember to bring my glasses.”

Lamond said that Lawhorne must’ve paid for his meal with coupons, and that he is a “100% Del Ray guy,” and that “Bill knows it, I know it, everyone knows it.”

Proceeds from the game will benefit Alexandria Little League. The event will include food trucks, raffles to Old Town and Del Ray businesses and is sponsored by Yates Automotive, the Port City Brewing Company and Simpson Development Company.

Among the changes being considered for Eugene Simpson Stadium Park is a refit of the field itself to take it from natural grass and dirt to astroturf.

Park enthusiasts typically have mixed feelings on astroturfing, but the change would make the park more usable in various weather conditions and comes as the city is facing a dire shortage of park space for various sports.

The change is part of a broader plan to upgrade the park, adding new trails across the park space, new bleachers, an expanded parking lot and more. The dog park at the field is also slated to undergo significant renovation, with construction on that project scheduled to start next spring.

The Park and Recreation Commission is scheduled to hold a virtual public hearing on Thursday, Nov. 18, to discuss the option to convert the two Eugene Simpson Stadium Park baseball fields to synthetic turf.

Amid questionable calls and weather-related issues, Old Town businesses are claiming victory in Wednesday night’s softball battle against Del Ray.

Old Town Team Captain Trae Lamond of Chadwicks said his team won in a text message to ALXnow, and that he put the John Porter Cup in the trunk of his car after everyone scattered to avoid bad weather.

“We won,” Lamond told ALXnow. “The cup is ours.”

The score at the bottom of the fourth inning was 20-14 when storm clouds gathered, the wind picked up and the game was called at Little Simpson Field. The winner was still unclear for hours after the game, as Del Ray cried foul after being pitched a practice safety ball, or sponge ball, the entire first inning.

Old Town scored six runs in the first and Del Ray was scoreless for the first two innings.

Del Ray team captain Bill Blackburn of Pork Barrel BBQ initially said that the game was a no contest, since Old Town got four at-bats and his team only got three. He also said it was strange that the game was called not long after a home run by Del Ray’s Jesse O’Connell.

“The real injustice was for the fans of Alexandria, who lost out on what was shaping up to be the softball game of the century,” Blackburn said. “Del Ray was getting into a groove and was mounting a comeback to make up for the questionable ball issue in the first inning.”

Blackburn conceded after the umpire, Alexandria Sheriff Dana Lawhorne, called it for Old Town in a text to ALXnow.

“Blackburn is complaining because he couldn’t hit the ball over the fence on a little league field,” Lawhorne said, adding that the “sponge ball” incident was beyond his reach. “I don’t provide the balls. I just provide a fair and balanced judgement of the actions of the players.”

As previously reported, Del Ray won the first competition in 2018, Old Town won in 2019 and the contest was postponed in 2020.

The team rosters are below.

Old Town

• Lacy Forster of The Hive
• Bee Reid of T.J. Stones
• Luis Martinez of Chadwicks
• Jon Forster of The Hive
• Hector Nelo of Chadwicks
• Danielle Anderson of Whiskey & Oyster
• Chelsea Anderson of Tequila & Taco
• Pat Conden of Union Street Public House
• Jamie Peugh of Daniel O’Connell’s Irish Restaurant and Bar
• Rachel Lawes of The Hive
• Coached by Trae Lamond and Michelle Millben

Del Ray

• Micki MacNaughton of the Jen Walker team/McEnearney
• Megan Brown of Mind the Mat Pilates & Yoga
• Laura Engel of Capitol Hill Construction
• Hwa Grimsley of Northside 10
• Allen Smith of Dairy Godmother/Just Fine Donuts
• Jim Miller of Pork Barrel BBQ
• Lee Grimsley of Northside 10
• Mike Dameron of Windmill Hill
• Jesse O’Connell of Department of Beer and Wine
• Coached by Bill Blackburn, Jen Walker and Pat Miller

Batboys

• Sam Youngblood
• JoeMonroe Blackburn
• Lily Youngblood

Courtesy Elijah Walter Griffin Sr/Griffin Vision Photography

New Virginia laws on marijuana, death penalty take effect today — ” Virginia lawmakers voted earlier this year to end executions, marking a dramatic change in direction for a state that has executed the most people in the nation’s history. Only two men remain on death row in Virginia. Their sentences will be commuted to life in prison without parole. The state will also legalize simple possession of marijuana, effective July 1, and allow adults to grow up to four marijuana plants per household.” [Patch]

Rare bird visits Huntley Meadows Park — “A Roseate Spoonbill, which the Audubon Society describes as “gorgeous at a distance and bizarre up close,” landed in Huntley Meadows this week, drawing hundreds of local nature photographers. The bird is far from its normal home in Florida, Louisiana, Texas and other parts of the far Southeastern United States. No one is sure why this spoonbill came so far north, but a recent tropical storm in the Southeast may have sent many birds flying for safer locales.” [Alexandria Living]

New lights installed at Armistead Boothe Park — “The existing pole lights at Armistead Boothe Park’s tennis and basketball court were removed and replaced with a modern energy savings LED lighting system. Work started in June 2021 and is anticipated to be completed in mid-July 2021. Take a moment and check them out!” [Twitter]

Fire Department says fireworks are illegal and unsafe — “Did you know it’s illegal to use or sell any fireworks, including sparklers, in the city limits of Alexandria? Nationwide, fireworks cause thousands of injuries and fires each year, and 36% of those injured are under 15 years old.” [Twitter]

Today’s weather — “Scattered thunderstorms in the morning becoming more widespread in the afternoon. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 87F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%… Showers and thundershowers in the evening, then overcast overnight with occasional rain. Low 67F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.” [Weather.com]

New job: Temporary COVID POD flow staff — “Are you a hardworking individual who is eager to join our efforts to augment and expedite vaccinations in the community? Does your passion drive you to commit to a cause that could have a positive impact on many? If this is you, we invite you to apply to one of our temporary City of Alexandria Vaccination site opportunities.” [Indeed]

What was an intense week in Alexandria. Here is the rundown.

History was made, as the new marquees at Alexandria City High School and Naomi L. Brooks Elementary Schools were unveiled this week, and the name changes to T.C. Williams High School and Matthew Maury Elementary School will go into effect July 1. It’s a victory for civil rights, as the namesakes of both old schools had backgrounds steeped in racism. Maury was a Confederate leader and Williams was an ACPS superintendent who worked intently against racial integration.

City Manager Mark Jinks on Tuesday also announced his intention to retire at the end of the year. Jinks, who made the announcement to City Council, hinted to ALXnow last month that he was seeking retirement. Today (Friday, June 25) is also the last day for retiring Alexandria Police Chief Michael Brown, who will be moving to the West Coast to deal with family matters. Assistant Chief Don Hayes is taking over as acting chief until a national search narrows down a preferred candidate for the job.

Law enforcement events also dominated this week’s coverage. On Tuesday, first responders saved a woman experiencing a mental health crisis who was dangling perilously off the Monroe Avenue Bridge, followed by news Wednesday that a suspect was arrested for a West End murder along with 16 others in a massive racketeering conspiracy. On Thursday, a barricade situation in the West End ended peacefully.

In this week’s poll, when asked whether transit improvements would make residents more likely to take the bus, 48% said they don’t take the bus often and won’t likely change their habits; 38% said they don’t often take the bus, although transit improvements might change that; and 14% said that they already frequent the Metro and DASH bus systems.

Important stories

• After dual election losses, Mark Levine says he’s deciding his next move
• T.C. Williams High School track stars win big at state championships
• Lee-Fendall House raises over $5,000 to repair collapsed 200-year-old wall
• After more delays, Halal slaughterhouse owner now says he will open in July
• Alexandria songwriter Mia Humphrey wants to take you on an emotional journey
• Old Town and Del Ray business rivals battle for supremacy in softball game
• Alexandria City Public Schools scraps recreation center classroom plans
• Parker-Gray tiny lot home moves forward with some unique challenges
• Researchers call out shoddy craftsmanship in buried 18th century Alexandria ship

Top stories

1. Alexandria woman dies after veering off road on Interstate 95
2. Man suspected of raping 12-year-old stepdaughter in Landmark area flees to El Salvador
3. JUST IN: Thieves break into more than 60 vehicles in West End
4. JUST IN: Rarity as American Viper Rattlesnake found in Old Town
5. Massive redevelopment of West End apartment building has neighbors worried about street parking impact
6. UPDATE: Alexandria first responders save suicidal woman on Monroe Avenue Bridge
7. City Council emphasizes marketing funding for Alexandria’s ‘Hot Girl Summer’
8. Mother and boyfriend allegedly beaten by knife-wielding ex in Old Town North
9. With eviction moratorium expiring, city pushes renters and landlords toward rental assistance
10. Shortened Alexandria Birthday celebration is still on for July 10
11. BREAKING: California man arrested for West End murder, indicted with 16 others in massive racketeering conspiracy

Have a safe weekend!

Old Town and Del Ray businesses are back at it again, and the competition for supremacy will be on full display at next Wednesday night’s Old Town-Del Ray Softball Battle.

Mayor Justin Wilson will throw out the first pitch at 6:30 p.m., as the two teams from Del Ray and Old Town businesses will play for bragging rights and the John Porter Cup, a trophy that was metal crafted by Torpedo Factory artist Chris Erney. It is unclear whether Porter, the former principal of T.C. Williams High School, will make an appearance at the event.

It’s the third-ever softball battle between the competitors, as Del Ray won in 2018, Old Town won in 2019 and then the teams had to take a break in 2020 because of the pandemic.

That didn’t stop Del Ray’s team captain Bill Blackburn from competing against Old Town’s team captain Trae Lamond in an oyster eating contest last year, and it resulted in a 103-103 draw after Whiskey And Oyster ran out of oysters.

This year’s contest will be held at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park.

“We’re thirsty to drink from the John Porter Cup,” Blackburn told ALXnow. “Of course, that’s one drink at a time, and we’ll sanitize between drinks… Del Ray has been eager to regain the cup for two years, since we missed our chance to take it back last year. So, there’s a lot of desire, there’s a fire in our bellies.”

Lamond, in a Zoom meeting with Visit Alexandria earlier this week, said that Del Ray cheated in 2018.

“We’re going to destroy them,” Lamond said. “I’m predicting we win by double digits again this year. There you go. We can bet through a variety of channels that are all now available on our apps on our phones.”

Blackburn was ejected from the game in 2018 for arguing against a call by the umpire, Sheriff Dana Lawhorne, who will once again be officiating with his deputies. He scoffed at the notion that his team cheated in the 16-15 nail-biter win in 2018.

“I don’t recall that,” Blackburn said. “In fact, we won despite poor officiating from Dana Lawhorne, and I was ejected from the game. And this is when I was fairly pleading my team’s case.”

There will not be any food trucks at the event, and fans are encouraged to bring takeout from an Alexandria restaurant.

Courtesy Visit Del Ray/Facebook

Council defers on School Resource Officer funding reallocation — “On Tuesday, Alexandria City Council deferred a decision on releasing funding for school resource officers for other positions at Alexandria City Public Schools. The decision is scheduled for a July 6 public hearing.” [Patch]

Levine agrees to pay for primary mailer on House letterhead — “Levine, who lost both his primary contests, said in an interview he saw the mailing as an “informational letter” explaining the unique circumstances of why he was appearing on the ballot twice. He said he still doesn’t think it clearly qualified as campaign advertising, but agreed to reimburse the clerk’s office to clear up the matter after others complained.” [Virginia Mercury]

Paving wrapping up on Commonwealth Avenue — “Commonwealth Ave should be finished by the end of the week (striping and speed cushions to follow) Paving continues on West Glebe Rd.” [Twitter]

Injured Titan soccer player makes $5,000 GoFundMe goal — “Mahmoud is a goalie and was playing a soccer game when he collided with someone, he got 2 fractures in the lower jaw, dislocated TM joint, and he lost 2 teeth with damaged gums. The surgical procedure required 6 screws and wiring to hold the jaw together, he won’t be able to eat or talk for 6 weeks to heal. The donation would help a lot with the medical bills.” [GoFundMe]

Alexandria Aces return — “The COVID-19 pandemic may have resulted in empty stands and untouched uniforms last year, but the Alexandria Aces are finally back for their 13th season in the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League – with a few adjustments.” [Alex Times]

Today’s weather — “Intervals of clouds and sunshine (during the day). High 83F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph… Partly cloudy skies during the evening will give way to cloudy skies overnight. Low 71F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.” [Weather.com]

New job: Multiple positions available at the Chart House — “$500 Sign-On Bonus – $100 once training is complete and $100 every 30 days for 4 months. This isn’t just your next job – it’s your opportunity to be part of an amazing team that delivers on our promise to meet and exceed our guest’s experience the moment they walk through our doors!” [Indeed]