The county board made it clear that the baseball program belongs in the hands of the veterans who built and maintained the program for over 60 years.

The questionable debt for the American Legion forgiven, the equipment returned to them, and the first year of field maintenance costs held at half cost for the first year.

The vets promise to have a great program underway this year!

thanks to all of you who have contacted us with your concerns on this.

The summer ball program formerly run by the American Legion is already showing the results of the county take-over, and NOT in a positive way.   Participation down from over 700 kids participating to just 580.  The price went up, and as it turns out,  the kids that couldn’t  afford to play have dropped the totals to that number.

Sadly the decision by Bruce Hooper to remove the program from the control of the veterans in the legion has resulted in less interest, and more kids with nothing to do.  And even worse still, it is resulting in more cost to the county, as the American Legion USED TO PAY rent for the field, and sponsorship is down as the businesses have decided working with the county is not as rewarding as with the legion.

Loyalty means something.

The Traverse City Record Eagle did an online survey and 75-80% supported the veterans running the summer baseball  program over the county.. Surprised?