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Politics & Government

Little League Pitches In

New Canaan Baseball and Softball foots the bill for weekend field maintenance.

Little League baseball and softball teams will be picking up the tab for weekend maintenance of ball parks this season.

Because of town budget cuts, the Department of Public Works planned to eliminate weekend maintenance of parks for June and July to cut costs for overtime pay.

But the Little League didn't like the cutbacks and offered to cover the costs.

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"We need it done, or else the kids can't play, so we'll pay for whatever maintenance we need," said Jim Mase, president of New Canaan Baseball and Softball.

The league has not paid for weekend maintenance yet, but will be getting a bill for approximately $5,000 at the end of the season.

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For baseball games, maintenance crews are tending to Mellick and Mead fields at Mead Park, Coppo field at Waveny and Saxe field next to the YMCA. For softball, the crews are maintaining Orchard and Watertower fields at Waveny.

The league will also be paying for additional grooming for end of summer tournaments.

When teams come from out of town the fields have to have a professional appearance, said Chas Abate, the coach of the 12-year-old 70s Major All-Star team.

"It's different from when New Canaan is playing New Canaan," he said.

The Department of Public Works has also installed storage boxes containing rakes and a drying agent for minor maintenance. If it rains after the parks have already been groomed coaches and parents can use that equipment to tidy up.

"We'd hate to have a little thunderstorm come through and have to cancel the game because the guys already came," Mase said. "Our coaches—with a rake and some of that quick dry—are able to get a field in shape when there's a little storm that comes through."

The maintenance bill has not affected registration fees for Little Leaguers yet, but could result in a fee hike next season. 

"If we spend a lot of money this year on maintenance, it will impact the families next year with a raise in registration, so that we don't lose money next year too," he said.

Mase estimates that at most there could be a five percent increase in fees.

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