Dugger softball league hits home run in funding request

It's a case of concession confusion: The Dugger Youth League could stand to raise a $2,000 match aimed at refitting their treats stand.

While that amount's not peanuts - nor Cracker Jacks - the town of Dugger gladly put up half the money to assist the softball league.

However, how much the grant, administered through the Wabash Valley Community Foundation, is actually for, remains uncertain.

New youth league President Jessie Martin said she believes the local match is in the ballpark of 100 percent of what's been awarded, $2,000.

However, Dugger Town Board President Bill Pirtle differs.

"I can't see it being $2,000 for a $2,000 match," he said, though he added he was unsure how much the funds actually were. He referred the women to Leann Daniels, associated with the community foundation, for answers.

However, Daniels, a Dugger resident, was not immediately available for comment Monday.

Martin and her Vice President, Jody Snyder, allowed they're also unsure how much the grant money is.

The cause of that confusion comes with a change in officers: Lonnie Bedwell and Scott Chambers, formerly in charge of the boys league, have left.

Martin and Snyder, formerly responsible for the girls' league, have now assumed duties for the entire league.

Even with the confusion, the league officers believe $3,700 will be enough for a proposed refit which would add air conditioning and plumbing to the concession stand.

Pirtle promised the youth league members the town could contribute $1,000, half their proposed match for the grant.

The town's share of the money will come from what was formerly the town's park fund, now included in the town general fund.

League officers will seek the other $1,000 through donations from local businesses, area mines and supporters, Snyder said.

Presently, the league has about $4,000 in their coffers, but must use that money to pay for insurance, umpires, operating expenses and for concession stand staff.

A year ago, the change from volunteer workers to paid junior high students was made, members explained, because not enough volunteers were assisting in the stand's operations.

"The ball diamond is part of the park, so we can do that," Pirtle said.

Whether the work will be done by the time the league's softball jamboree is held the last weekend in April remains to be seen.

If not, Snyder said, the work must wait until August, after the league concludes in July.

The league expects a strong showing this season: About 125 kids have already signed up, nearing the 140 participants fielded last year.

Individual registration is $40, Snyder said, while family sign-ups are $75.

The league, part of the larger Tri Towers League, also hopes to expand its parking lot in the long-term, and fence in the field, enabling it to host tournaments.

Presently, Snyder said, the league's been forced to refuse tournaments, due to regulations passed last year which require hosts of the events to charge a $10 admission fee.

Each tournament could have brought the local league between $3,000 and $4,000, had they not been turned down.

The refusal was necessary, Snyder said, because attendees have bypassed the ticket stand, refusing to pay when confronted.

Placing parking lots behind the west portion of the field would also reduce concerns about safety, league board members said, as many children roam around the entryway.

Errant softballs which fly outside the field have also damaged cars and smashed windows, Martin said.

A single entry and exit already exists. Now it's merely a matter of fencing in the field, Snyder said.

League members plan to actively seek grants for the work, as well as refits to the two ball diamonds.

Also Monday, Stuart Savika suggested his firm, Triad Associates, Inc., of Indianapolis, is willing to provide an architectural proposal for the town to compete for a share of $45 million in stimulus money.

The proposal, which would cover renovations to the town's stormwater sewers, would then be subject to a public hearing and submitted to the Office of Community and Rural Affairs by April.

Grant awards would follow in June, Savika said.

"We would not charge you anything until and unless you were awarded the grant."

Pirtle did not commit to the work, noting other firms have approached the town already with similar proposals.

"I think we've got something like four grants up in the air right now as it is," he said.