Mayor James J. Fiorentini > Press Release

For Immediate Release, November 13, 2006

 Mayor Announces Agreement Concerning Recreation Tournament Fees

Mayor James J. Fiorentini, in conjunction with Recreation Director Vincent Ouellette and City Councilor Mary Ellen Daly O’Brien, today announced a proposed compromise that would allow youth softball and baseball tournaments to proceed without paying a tournament fee.

Over the past several years, the City has charged a tournament fee for youth recreation leagues to use the various ball fields in the City.  The fees provided the recreation department the money to maintain the fields.

However, the cost of the fields has prevented several leagues, including the Riverside/Bradford Baseball League, from proceeding with the tournaments.

Under the agreement brokered by the Mayor, the City would waive the tournament fees for not for profit recreation leagues. 

The City will make up the lost revenue by selling advertising at the various ball fields.  The City will sell banner advertising at the ball fields.  Several of the leagues have agreed to sell the banner.  The League will receive a 50% commission on the banners.  The remaining money will go to the City, which, in turn, will use it to maintain the ball fields.

Mayor Fiorentini, who met with Representatives of the Riverside Bradford League and the American Little League last Thursday, called it a “win-win” for the City and for the youth recreation leagues Mayor Fiorentini said:

“This agreement allows the recreation tournaments to go forward but still give us the funds to maintain the ball fields.  It is an excellent example of how Public/Private Partnerships can help cash strapped cities to succeed.”

The issue of the recreation fields was being studied by the City Council Administration and Finance Committee.  Committee Chair Councilor Mary Ellen Daly O’Brien stated:

“I was very happy that we were able to reach an agreement with the baseball leagues.  This will allow the children to enjoy the playing fields and the city will have the reoccurring funds to maintain the fields.”

Fiorentini said that he met with the President of the Riverside/Bradford League and the head of the Haverhill Little League Baseball, on Thursday and they were both enthusiastic supporters of the proposal.

Recreation Department Director, Vincent Ouellette said:

“Through the efforts of the Mayor's office and the leagues we have come to an agreement that will allow the non-profit baseball leagues to continue their tradition of Summer Baseball Tournaments free of charge.”