Local Baseball/Softball To Implement $1 Admission Charge

Part Of Ongoing Plan To Reinvest In Program and Park

Darren Doyle, story:
The Edmonson County Babe Ruth Baseball/Softball Board has announced the addition of a one dollar admission charge for non-coaches and players ages 17 and up during the 2018 Spring/Summer season as part of an ongoing initiative to build and reinvest back into the program.

In a meeting with league coaches on Saturday, March 10, board members discussed the financials of last year's season and provided documentation referencing all income and expenses.

Simply put, the entire program operates on nearly an $8,000 loss on the income of player registration fees alone. Each player is required to pay a $55 registration fee (or $50 each if more than one player per household) to participate in the season. The 2017 season consisted of 261 paid players according to the report.

"Graph A" from page 1 of the submitted Babe Ruth League report.

"Graph B" from page 2 of the submitted Babe Ruth League report.

paid advertisement

Thanks to donations and other fundraising methods, the park is able to operate just above the break-even point. An additional $9,655.58 was generated last year as a result of donations, sponsorships, all-star tournament revenue, and concessions. The concessions counted for more than half of the additional income at $5,358.03.

​According to the report provided to each coach, nearly $5,000 has been directly invested back into the program, specifically with improvements to HWY 70 Sports Complex since 2016 for the following:

2016/2017: Batting Cages………………………………………….………… $2,509.86 (material cost only, labor was donated)
2016/2017: Bull Pens……………………………………………………….….. $350.64
2017: Dry Line Marker (Chalk Machine)……………………………….. $246.00
2017: Popcorn Machine (Hwy. 70 Concession Stand)…………... $351.98
2017: Snow Cone Machine (Hwy. 70 Concession Stand)……….. $445.23
2017/2018: Pitching Mounds and Field 3 & 4 Cubbies………….. $803.02
Total…………………………………………………………………………………… $4,706.73

According to board president Michael Meredith, the new admission charge is a sensible way for the program to raise additional funds to provide a better experience for all players by improving facilities and the overall program. He said this will provide the board a better opportunity to invest even more back into the leagues and facilities.

He also noted that coaches and players will not be charged any admission and all other kids 16 and under are free. The charge will be for ages 17 and up at one dollar per person. You can also choose the park's "Season Pass," for a flat fee of $20 per person. While most $20 passes would exceed the total amount of games for a season (normally 12 games--$12 per person, per season) the extra would be a donation to the program.  

While some parents have complained that Edmonson County programs offer far less than bordering county programs, other programs sometimes charge more than $100 per player. Feedback from the public has regularly indicated that a large majority of parents and guardians aren't willing to pay that much for little league play here.

This year's league baseball/softball board members are:
President ‐ Michael Meredith, Vice President - Chris Webb
Secretary – Lori Alexander, Treasurer – Stewart Lich
Publicity Director – Chad Clemmons,  Fundraising Coordinator – Matt Richardson,
Equipment Manager – Shawn McCombs

All board positions are completely volunteer and no member gets paid for their services. Practices will begin this week for all baseball and softball leagues and the annual League Jamboree, which will kick off the season, is scheduled for Saturday, April 14th.