The proposal to change the name of the Turlock High School baseball field to honor coach Mark de la Motte was again defeated.

A committee of Turlock Unified School District staff, faculty, students, alumni, and community members proposed that the THS college baseball field be named after de la Motte and believed that it would would be fine because TUSD has updated the policy regarding the naming of school facilities. The update allows facilities to be named after living individuals rather than those who have died.

The request to name the fields after de la Monte was first introduced in 2018, but questions arose as to whether or not this could be done based on the TUSD policy at the time.

In 2019, TUSD officially adopted Council Policy 7310, which states that schools may be named after individuals, living or deceased, or entities who have made outstanding contributions to the school community or who have made contributions of state, national or global significance.

The change was to be discussed again at the TUSD board meeting on Tuesday. Previously, a public forum was held on the agenda item and, in accordance with board policy 7310, board voting on the item must take place at a subsequent meeting.

According to BP 7310, to solicit community input regarding the naming of schools, facilities, and grounds, the advisory committee should include the following representatives: a district administrative delegate, a superintendent or site administrative delegate, two additional members school staff. site where the name change will take place, and three to five community members to include parents and at least one student from the site where the name change will take place.

“Tuesday was an important part of the process,” said Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Barney Gordon.

The administration will bring the item back to council for final vote at the August 16 council meeting.

During de la Motte’s 26-year reign as baseball head coach, the Bulldogs won more than 500 games with eight Central California Conference championships and two sectional title appearances. Additionally, more than 100 of his student-athletes have gone on to play at the college level while dozens more have played baseball professionally.

All the accomplishments on the field are important, but the real difference is made off the field and helping the kids and teaching them lessons,” added Lance Cornell, teacher and coach at Turlock High. “When I think back to when I was coaching with them, what strikes me the most is how respectful he was to parents, players, opposing coaches, referees and obviously his own coaches. “

Journalist Christopher Correa contributed to this article.