Our response
was:
Dear
Parent,
Thank
you for your email regarding the fees for the 2009 Hillsboro Little League, and allowing us the opportunity to respond. We understand your concerns and take your comments very seriously.
Each
year the Hillsboro Little League Board, a group of all volunteer members, evaluates the previous season and prepares an extensive
budget for the next one. Numerous discussions are involved concerning the financial
needs of the league to provide a quality experience for children in the Hillsboro R3 School district. Every two years the board members are reelected and new members take over.
Hopefully you have seen some improvements from the previous year.
Our
costs, like everything else, continue to rise. We rely on the sound judgment
of our board members and on the player fees, donations, sponsorships, and fundraisers to pay for all of the equipment and
services including field maintenance, utility costs, umpiring fees, etc., required to run a baseball and softball league. We have had numerous facility improvements, some of which are mandated by the league
such as break away bases that cost $4000, and some of necessity for security and safety reasons. Of the $65 player fee, approximately $40 pays for the uniform, which is the hat, jersey and socks. The remaining $25 per child goes towards umpires, equipment, field maintenance etc.
All of our accounting records are open for public inspection.
Yes, we did indeed
change from our previous candy sales fundraiser last year to a raffle ticket sales fundraiser program. This is the exact program that was successfully used by the Hillsboro Youth Football and Cheerleading League
this past fall. The Board debated the traditional candy sales, and decided that
the raffle ticket program offered a greater monetary return to the league plus an opportunity for the parents to get all of
their $40 back by selling the tickets for a dollar each. The raffle also allows
for three drawings of $500 each as an inducement for the ticket’s sales. The
$50 concession stand deposit check is not cashed, but held until the parent or guardian completes their single shift working in the concession stand. The check is returned
upon completion of the shift.
Also, please understand that the fundraiser and the concession stand
deposit is a “one per family” charge and not per each player. Since
the concession stand deposit is returned, and the fundraiser $40 has the potential to be returned through the raffle ticket
sales, and since the player fee for 2008 was $60, the net increase cost per player for the 2009 baseball season is only $5.00.
If
we had more people to volunteer their time we would not have to increase the cost because we would not have to pay for umpires
and field maintenances.. Which would save the league approx. $12,000 per year but until this happens we must charge the fees
to get things done there so our kids have a decent place to play ball.
I don’t
know if you are aware but of all the little leagues in our district we are the second cheapest. Desoto is the only one cheaper and they do not have to pay for field maintenance or umpires. We are self supporting league unlike the other leagues that depend on the school district to carry cost.
Again,
we appreciate your questions, and do hope that you and your boys will get the valuable opportunity to participate in this
year’s season. All of us on the Board are Hillsboro community members like
you and strive to make this a worthwhile and affordable experience for our children.
And by your support, we can continue this program for the years ahead. Hope
to see you volunteering this year!
Hillsboro Little League Board
