At Tuesday's Bethlehem City Council Meeting, Council was addressed by Shawn Bogert, an announcer from the Bethlehem Cardinals, an adults baseball team in the Blue Mountain League. Mr. Bogert wanted council to enforce its lease with Lehigh Little League. Apparently Lehigh Little League President Eugene Ashner and Bogert were in a pushing match on Sunday at the field over the use of the PA system.
Councilwoman Karen Dolan stated that she had recieved numerous complaints about Lehigh Little League and it not allowing other teams to use the leased fields.
The Morning Call and Express Times each have account of the meeting.
Dolan continued that she was not even sure if Lehigh Little League was a non-profit organization. A check of the PA Department of States records indicate it is a registered non-profit organization. The record can be viewed here.
Dolan's error aside. I agree with her that something needs to be done with Lehigh Little League.
I have a problem with a non-profit making money off of city public property when it is in violation of the lease. I especially have a problem when that non-profit is a little league with the majority of its members being residents of Hanover Township, Northampton County. This league is so connected with Hanover Township that it had a parade to honor one of its teams in Hanover Township.
It is time for the City to terminate its lease with Lehigh Little League and take back control of the fields.
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5 comments:
Why is it that once you reach a certain age you are viewed as some sort of "wierdo" if you still enjoy the recreation and friendly competition that the local adult baseball leagues offer?? Don't adults deserve the same chance to use public fields as children??
You would think that with everything we know about the importance of both adult exercise and the need for adult community activities (Read "Bowling Alone" for a great analysis of what has happened to American communities since so many folks abandoned traditions like bridge clubs, softball teams, bowling leagues, voluntarism, etc.in favor of watching television), that we would embrace healthy community activities like adult baseball leagues. I don't understand our current obsession with being sports "parents" while we abandon the very physical and inter-personal activities we need to keep stay strong as neighbors. You are not a weirdo in my book. You are an active person who is sharing a great time with his/her peers. Keep it up. Let's hope Bethlehem doesn't abandon you.
I am very sympathatic to your situation. I hope that the City Council decides to terminate the lease due to the repeated violations of the lease.
There is nothing wrong with adults using the field and playing sports. The Blue Mountain League is a well-established baseball league with deep roots in the Lehigh Valley. I would hope that Lehigh Little League would understand that and not call the players weirdos.
I also would urge the team to call the city council members and let them know what is really going. Lobby them.
BethDem, Great and informative post. I feel like I'm finally getting an "inside" look at Bethlehem. Thanks.
And you are most definitely right. Chuck the bastards if they violate the lease.
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