The Kansas City Star

In five decades as a baseball mentor and scout, Don Motley has helped countless Kansas City kids get college baseball scholarships, their ticket to a better life.

But in recent years he has watched with growing dismay as city baseball programs have withered while suburban baseball has thrived.

Suburban youths “work out year-round,” Motley said. “They have beautiful facilities. There is nothing in the inner city. So these kids have been left behind.”

Now Motley and his grandson, Brittan Motley, have a dream to breathe new life into Kansas City youth baseball by bringing new life to a mothballed fire station.

Batting cages and pitching tunnels could replace fire hoses and ladder trucks at the old station at 5005 Swope Parkway, just across from the refurbished Satchel Paige Stadium.

The City Council on Thursday unanimously blessed the idea Thursday. The council approved a resolution to begin negotiations to transfer ownership of old Fire Station 35 to the Community Baseball Academy.