The Claremont City Council is set to officially hear a proposal from the Claremont Youth Baseball and Softball Association (CYBSA) to alter one of the fields it uses at Monadnock Park on Wednesday.
This consideration comes after CYBSA president Valerie D’Aloia appeared before the council in June to request that the organization’s proposal be returned to the agenda after an attempt to move the project forward in September stalled.
Specifically, the CYBSA is requesting renovation of Field No. 2, a 40-60 field by the concession stand, to expand its use — namely, as a 50-70 field for older players. (The figures represent the distance in feet between bases.)
“The existing 40-60 setup will remain to continue accommodating our younger athletes. This project is not replacing the current field — it simply gives us the ability to transition our Majors teams to a larger playing field while allowing players to learn the 50-70 rule set, including balks, leading off, stealing and other rules they’ll encounter as they advance,” D’Aloia wrote in an email earlier this month in which she asked for support at Wednesday’s meeting.
Additionally, as part of the proposal, the infield would be cut and edged, while more infield mix and conditioner would be added.
Moreover, the proposal is not slated to be financed with taxpayer dollars but rather by a $5,000 grant from the Byrne Foundation, organizational funds and donations.
While the project would ease players’ transitions to higher levels of baseball, it has also become necessary for the CYBSA to keep its charter with Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken.
Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken is now requiring that chartered organizations have at least one 50-70 field by the 2027 season.
“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,” D’Aloia said at the June council meeting.
Wednesday’s meeting is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall. The CYBSA item is estimated to be taken up around 7:30 p.m., according to the meeting agenda.
“Please remember that this project doesn’t just benefit our current Majors players. It will provide this opportunity for every baseball player who comes through our program and reaches the Majors division in the years ahead,” D’Aloia wrote.
“If it isn’t your child benefiting today, it very well could be your child tomorrow.”
