“We understand the need to pay more. … But an hourly fee is not how this will operate productively.”

By Morgan Rothborne, Ashland.news 

Ashland children can start playing little league at three years old and keep playing until they’re 12 (and sometimes a little older) through the Ashland Little League nonprofit organization, but access to the sport depends on access to fields and facilities, said Ashland Little League board president Keri Pennell.

Despite the cold drizzle Saturday morning, Ashland Little League board members gave a tour of what they maintain and what they value at Hunter Park with Ashland Parks & Recreation director Rocky Houston, parks commissioner Mike Gardiner and city councilors Dylan Bloom and Gina DuQuenne in tow. 

The tour was in response to a recent vote from APRD commissioners to change the payment structure for use of APRD sports fields to an hourly rate as opposed to a flat fee, as previously reported by Ashland.news. 

As the group fanned out around an empty field, Stacia Stimac, Ashland Little League board information officer, described how coaches arrive early to prepare fields prior to games and how the nonprofit continually responds to vandalism incidents. Foul poles are frequently stolen. A base was stolen and never found. The dug-outs also have to be swept out prior to games and practices as “paraphernalia” items are often found there, said board member and scheduler Meagan Finnerty.

Practices and games may sometimes run longer, and games may be cancelled due to weather. It would be difficult to manage allocating funds for an hourly rate given these factors, Stimac said.

“We understand the need to pay more. … But an hourly fee is not how this will operate productively,” Pannell said. 

If the cost to access fields becomes too high, costs will be passed on to families, Pannell said, adding she didn’t want them to have to decide it’s too expensive for their kids to play. 

“Ashland Little League is the most affordable youth sports, more affordable than the YMCA. … If it’s not affordable for a family, we can make it happen,” Pannell said.

Ashland parents with children going into high school won’t necessarily send them to Ashland High School, Pannell said. Her own children have lost friends, as many families have left the district, a decision motivated by perceived lack of support for sports, she said. 

In the neighboring field a softball game of littles was in full swing despite the drizzle. The metal clang of bats could be heard with “go, go go!” and cheering.

Against the fence behind the gathering of board members and interested members of the public, Bloom walked over to stand next to Houston. 

“Could we raise fees on other things?” Bloom said. 

Houston’s reply was muddled over the sound of the game but was to the effect of “we are doing the work, figuring it out.” 

Board members took turns showing their elected officials and city staff the storage areas where the Little League’s equipment is stored, from shin guards and helmets to a club car and the snack shack where kids can get a candy bar or an ice cream during games. 

Ashland Little League has agreements with the city going back to the 1970s for maintenance of fields and other facilities such as the batting cages, Pannell said. Houston said he has a copy of an agreement from 1974, and Pannell responded that it was renewed in 1979. 

“This is where we need to dig,” she said.

During the tour, board members handed out printed papers to all attendees with information about their organization and a suggestion for a solution: a flat seasonal fee of $1,000, a 300% increase from the current $250 rate.

“A significant increase that we’re willing to absorb in good faith,” the papers said.

If a new fee is adopted, Little League officials requested a commitment to hold the rate steady for at least five years to provide stability for budgeting and planning. Additional increases are requested to be capped at no more than $250 per five-year period.

At the batting cages — built by the nonprofit in 2005 — board members said a skills assessment is held there every year. Old alumni of Little League and high school athletes are often called on to come help the kids practice fly balls and grounders.

Coaches are talented and know the game, but in learning the game, kids also learn “how to be people,” Finnerty said. 

“They build each other up; they interact as a team,” she said. 

As the group rounded out near the parking lot, Pannell said the board is grateful for the fields that they have and appreciates their cooperative relationships with the city and the Ashland School district. Ashland Little League officials understand everyone is in a difficult position, but said the organization seeks a collaborative solution to prevent budget shortfalls from landing on Ashland’s kids.

Houston said his recent arrival hasn’t obscured his understanding of the value of Ashland Parks & Recreation’s assets. He said he is often told that park offerings are one of the reasons families move to town. 

“We’re working really hard. Sometimes when you’re working really hard it’s slow,” Houston said. “We’re working with the resources we have and the sweat equity you guys have put in.”

Email Ashland.news reporter Morgan Rothborne at [email protected].