Chatham-Kent to explore extending baseball season

Let’s hear it for fall ball.

A longer baseball playing season could be in the cards for Chatham-Kent.

At council’s October 5 meeting, members unanimously approved a motion from Councillor Melissa Harrigan to have administration complete a report on whether baseball diamonds should stay available for organized bookings after September 30.

Staff will now create a report including user interest, anticipated demand, operational requirements, field availability, maintenance, costs, funding options, and implications associated with a pilot project in 2027.

Municipal officials said historically, there has been limited demand for organized baseball bookings in October, adding that the diamonds are available to use informally, but it is also the time the municipality conducts maintenance on the fields.

Councillor Anthony Ceccacci added two friendly amendments, which included administration looking at budget considerations for the current public-partnership agreements for baseball field maintenance with the intent to incorporate a standard annual inflation adjustment. He also requested staff approach the owners of Solvay Park Diamond in Blenheim to inquire about a temporary short term lease or usage agreement to accommodate games while the community waits for a new complex.

Staff will return to council with their findings in February.