By Kristen McCalla
At the corner of Iris and Broadway, nestled in the valley beneath the watchful gaze of the Flatirons, lies a piece of Boulder’s history: Iris Baseball Fields. For over 70 years, since 1957 these fields have been an idyllic mainstay of our community. The nonprofit little league, North Boulder Little League (NBLL), brought Americana to the Boulder Valley via baseball. Thousands of children, families and volunteers have built a legacy here, entrenched in rich tradition and community sharing.
But now, that legacy is under threat. Last week, NBLL — the winningest Little League program in the nation as far as state championships go, with 16 state titles — was informed that Boulder County intends to sell Iris Fields. If this irreplaceable community asset is handed over to developers, it will not only erase a historic tradition but also strip North Boulder of vital social infrastructure: a gathering place where kids learn, families connect and the community thrives.
Just last year, the 2024 NBLL All-Stars swept their district championships, with two teams winning state titles. The 12U team went on to compete in the Mountain Region tournament of the Little League World Series, broadcast nationally on ESPN, an achievement that underscores the excellence and passion fostered at Iris Fields. And yet, what makes this place truly special isn’t just the banners hanging on the fences — it’s the lessons learned on the field, the friendships built in the dugout and the sense of belonging that lasts a lifetime.
Renowned sociologist Eric Klinenberg of New York University warns of what happens when we lose these spaces: “In a world where we spend ever more of our time staring at screens, blocking out even our most intimate and proximate human contacts, public institutions with open door policies compel us to pay close attention to people nearby.”
The implications of what Klinenberg references here is a world where ourselves, as well as our young people might not have as much opportunity to learn how to develop what he calls “social capital” — the connections between people that allow them to work together more effectively.
Places like Iris Fields are more than baseball diamonds: They are social infrastructure, “the physical places and organizations that shape the way people interact.” Iris Fields is the foundation for a connected and thriving community. When we push these spaces farther away, we weaken the very fabric that holds us together.
What kind of future are we building if we continuously prioritize development over social capital? What quality of life do we then create for our families when we neglect the spaces that teach our children teamwork, resilience and leadership?
While Boulder urgently needs affordable housing, the 10.5-acre parcel currently occupied by government buildings is more than sufficient to meet an aspect of this demand. Why not preserve the remaining seven acres for Iris Fields? North Boulder Little League has more than earned its right to remain.
Boulder County’s decision to sell Iris Fields threatens more than just a baseball program. It threatens the very essence of what makes this community strong. Baseball teaches kids how to handle adversity, how to support one another, how to lead and how to grow. It is a rare and irreplaceable environment that cultivates both grit and grace, a place where our kids, neighbors and tireless volunteers come together to build something bigger than themselves.
Iris Fields is one of the last historic youth baseball facilities in the area, a gathering place where generations have played, lived and loved. Its value cannot be measured in dollars and profit. It must be measured in memories, friendships and the lessons passed from one generation to the next.
We cannot afford to lose this community treasure; we have a civic duty to ensure future generations have access to Iris Fields. Please take a moment to reach out to the Boulder City Council and Boulder County Commissioners to voice your support for saving Iris Fields, or sign our petition.
The future of our kids, our community and this irreplaceable legacy depends on it.
Kristen McCalla is a mother to three wild boys, a writer, photographer, artist and a fierce advocate for the Oxford comma. (Editor's note: All Oxford, or serial, commas were edited out of this piece, in accordance with AP Style. But Boulder Weekly fully supports McCalla's preference and passion :)
This opinion does not necessarily reflect the views of Boulder Weekly.