The Claremont Youth Baseball & Softball Association (CYBSA) is seeking approval from the City Council to modify the size of one of the fields it uses at Monadnock Park, as the future of its charter status with Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken could be in flux.
At Wednesday’s City Council meeting, CYBSA President Valerie D’Aloia spoke before the Council during the citizens’ forum, requesting that the association’s proposal be placed on an upcoming agenda for consideration.
Specifically, the proposal would reconfigure Field No. 2 near the concession stand, allowing it to be used as both a 40/60 field, as it is currently, and a 50/70 field. The longer distances are for older players.
Additionally, D’Aloia noted that the project would impose no financial burden on taxpayers, as it would be funded through donations, a $5,000 grant from the Byrne Foundation, and organizational funds.
The proposal comes amid a requirement from Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken for participating organizations to have at least one 50/70 field by the 2027 season.
“Our league faces the possibility of losing its charter status due to upcoming 2027 requirements,” D’Aloia said during Wednesday’s meeting.
She added: “Through our affiliation with Babe Ruth League and Cal Ripken baseball, we receive critical resources, including sexual abuse prevention training, coach education, background checks, insurance coverage, and operational support. Losing our charter would require a complete restructuring of the organization and create significant challenges for the program.”
While the lack of a 50/70 field may affect the association’s charter, D’Aloia indicated there are additional impacts.
“As of 2025, 38 of New Hampshire’s 42 leagues of Cal Ripken were already utilizing 50/70 dimensions for their majors division. Our athletes should have access to the same developmental opportunities as these peers throughout the state,” D’Aloia said Wednesday.
She later added: “The 50/70 division introduces important rules of gameplay, elements that prepare athletes for middle school baseball, including balks, leading off bases, stealing, and more baserunning situations.”
Further, although the CYBSA is hosting the district tournament this year, it is being played in Newport due to the current field dimensions.
Wednesday’s request comes after representatives from the CYBSA were before the City Council in September with the proposal for Field No. 2 and other items.
According to the meeting minutes, questions were raised about the urgency of completing the project, prior work already done related to the fields, and how it might affect other sports that use the field, among other items. Councilor Nicholas Koloski also indicated at the time that additional bids would be necessary if the proposal moved forward.
Ultimately, no formal action was taken at the September meeting.
In a telephone interview Thursday, D’Aloia said she currently has two bids for the project, $13,532 and $13,000, and is meeting with another company early next week.
Both bids are higher than an initial bid of $10,350, which she said would have been slightly reduced because the field already had base anchors.
She also noted in that same interview that the hope is to get approval and start work so it is complete before the winter, so the field can settle and be ready for next season.
As of Thursday, D’Aloia said she had no indication about the status of this moving forward.
While the Council did not respond to speakers during the citizens’ forum, participants are directed to leave their contact information on a clipboard for follow-ups.
Mayor Dale Girard did not immediately return a phone call Friday morning inquiring about the process for adding this item to a future agenda.
