Manatee County commissioners approved a $7.2 million project to construct three youth Little League baseball fields at Country Club East Park in Lakewood Ranch, aiming to alleviate overcrowding in local leagues. The development includes new lighting, dugouts, bleachers, fencing, restrooms, parking and a 2,000‑square‑foot maintenance building with offices and air conditioning. The project addresses a shortage of playing fields for more than 700 youth participants in the Lakewood Ranch Little League.