(Sept. 14, 2017) Worcester County has denied a request from Pocomoke Little League for financial support to erect field lights at its Newtown Park facility.
Michael Hooks, Pocomoke Little League vice president, said his organization had sought more than $10,000 towards the costs on installing an automated lighting system.
Despite the lack of buy-in at the county level, Hooks said the little league’s Field Lighting Capital Campaign, launched this summer, would continue. The goal is to raise $100,000.
“It’s not a deal breaker … we’re still moving forward with a campaign to raise funds,” he said. “Donations of time or resources are always accepted.”
During the Worcester Commissioners meeting on Aug. 29, Paige Hurley, county department of recreation and parks director, said although the project would be permissible funding would not be forthcoming.
“The department feels strongly that this request should be denied, as it would serve as a precedent upon which other organizations would seek similar assistance,” he said.
Hurley did acquiesce to the league’s request for the county to cover associated electrical costs, which he said is consistent with past practices.
To meet the stated goal of erecting four steel poles with lights on field two at Newtown Park, Hooks is currently negotiating with area contractors to curtail costs wherever possible. When it comes to youth baseball, he said size does make a difference.
“Bigger leagues are more successful,” he said. “We’re the smallest and the demographics prove it.”
For example, Hooks said while his league, lumping together baseball and softball, may attract roughly 120 youth, Berlin has approximately 400 participants in their baseball program.
“Berlin is probably four times bigger,” he said.
In a related request, the county did approve a proposal to install a grease hood in the concession stand at Newtown Park, with Pocomoke Little League covering associated costs.
Regardless of the push for lighting a second field at Newtown Park, Hooks said new visitors regularly comment how beautifully the grounds are preserved.
“We have one of the best maintained complexes in the district,” he said.
For more information about supporting the lighting upgrades at Newtown Park, visit www.pocomokelittleleague.com.
Michael Hooks, Pocomoke Little League vice president, said his organization had sought more than $10,000 towards the costs on installing an automated lighting system.
Despite the lack of buy-in at the county level, Hooks said the little league’s Field Lighting Capital Campaign, launched this summer, would continue. The goal is to raise $100,000.
“It’s not a deal breaker … we’re still moving forward with a campaign to raise funds,” he said. “Donations of time or resources are always accepted.”
During the Worcester Commissioners meeting on Aug. 29, Paige Hurley, county department of recreation and parks director, said although the project would be permissible funding would not be forthcoming.
“The department feels strongly that this request should be denied, as it would serve as a precedent upon which other organizations would seek similar assistance,” he said.
Hurley did acquiesce to the league’s request for the county to cover associated electrical costs, which he said is consistent with past practices.
To meet the stated goal of erecting four steel poles with lights on field two at Newtown Park, Hooks is currently negotiating with area contractors to curtail costs wherever possible. When it comes to youth baseball, he said size does make a difference.
“Bigger leagues are more successful,” he said. “We’re the smallest and the demographics prove it.”
For example, Hooks said while his league, lumping together baseball and softball, may attract roughly 120 youth, Berlin has approximately 400 participants in their baseball program.
“Berlin is probably four times bigger,” he said.
In a related request, the county did approve a proposal to install a grease hood in the concession stand at Newtown Park, with Pocomoke Little League covering associated costs.
Regardless of the push for lighting a second field at Newtown Park, Hooks said new visitors regularly comment how beautifully the grounds are preserved.
“We have one of the best maintained complexes in the district,” he said.
For more information about supporting the lighting upgrades at Newtown Park, visit www.pocomokelittleleague.com.