When Bakersfield makes it into the top 10, it's generally a distinction we're not particularly proud of, like our recent second-place showing on the smoggiest-air-in-America list.

So when a legion of generous donors and determined volunteers made the local Relay for Life the American Cancer Society's second-leading relay fundraiser in the nation last weekend, we were so proud.

Most of us were, anyway. But while volunteers and cancer survivors were busy on the youth soccer fields at Cal State Bakersfield, raising more than $1.5 million, a few not-so-proud soccer officials raised such a ruckus over parking that Relay for Life officials are now considering moving the event somewhere -- anywhere -- else.

"We may be here next year, but it depends on the situation with AYSO," said Relay for Life manager Dasya Robertson. "We would love to be back on the fields, but there are other options we're looking for in Bakersfield."

Officials with the American Youth Soccer Organization Region 73, which leases the soccer fields from CSUB, say cars parked on the fields just south of the relay -- an area traditionally reserved for cancer survivors -- damages the grass and leaves dead spots.

It's hard to imagine the cars do more damage in one weekend than, say, a trillion or so gophers do all year long, but AYSO Commissioners Cathy Farr and Greg Collins are adamant over the issue, insisting Relay for Lifers agreed before the event to stay off the grass.

"We do pay for the maintenance of those fields and up until this year, we didn't get anything back from Relay for Life," Farr said. "I'm not saying they're trashing the fields, but there is damage."

After Farr took her complaint to campus police, Robertson says she was compelled to close the field entrance by midday Saturday, leaving relay participants, including survivors, to find parking as best they could. No small feat, given the fact there were at least three other events on campus that day.

Kelly Olson, one of the unfortunate volunteers whose job it was to direct participants away from the field, said closing the entrance created "a logistical nightmare" for relay organizers.

"It's a yearlong affair to plan this; it's such a shame we had this problem," Olson said. "About 95 percent of the people (who wanted to park on the field) have been pretty understanding, but a number of people called me some very bad names."

Robertson said she told AYSO officials the fields would be kept free of cars unless there were no other options. By Saturday morning it was clear there were none, not with 9,000 participants, including 1,400 survivors, flocking to the fields.

AYSO Area Director Donna Nelson, who was manning the AYSO concession stand at the event, overruled her commissioners, telling relay organizers they could use the fields as needed, but by that time participants were scrounging for spots elsewhere.

As evening fell Saturday, I watched as a grey-haired woman, clad in a purple survivor shirt and walking on crutches, made her slow but determined way to the event from a distant parking lot and wondered just how significant those dead spots actually are.

Not very, according to CSUB spokesman Mike Stepanovich, who after checking with campus police and facilities managers said Relay for Life leaves a very light footprint indeed.

"With that many people it's absolutely impossible to leave it in better shape than when you arrive, but considering the number of people out there, it was a minimal impact," he said. "They're very respectful of the property. We're a great venue for the Relay for Life and we're delighted to host it."

Relay for Life organizers know they will eventually have to relocate when CSUB builds its new dorms, a project that isn't even in the planning stage, said Stepanovich.

Until then, the campus is a plum spot for Relay for Life, which has become near and dear to the hearts of Bakersfield citizenry; an event the entire community can get behind.

And for those who can't?

Well, where's a red card when you need one?