THE BAA VS. BSA
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okay, does someone want to fill me in about the permit and contract issues they talked about at the meeting tonight between the softball and soccer association? I got the impression that the soccer organization is getting the shaft. I repeatedly heard tonight "that's the way it has always been done."
Well, isn't change all about growth and expansion? Change also brings unity and co-operation.
Please fill me in.......
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Oh yeah, the BSA will get the shaft. As long as the head of the BAA is still holding the reins, nobody else will have any rights to anything on those fields in Brentwood. It was always like that when I lived there. I think it's called being GREEDY.
So who is this head of the BAA? Is he like the king of the fields or something? Who gave him all this powere? I had asked some others after the meeting about him and found he doesn't have a good reputation. One person said we(I don't know if this person meant parents or taxpayers) pay for his gas in his car because he travels to other boroughs to compare programs; and, this person also said that we pay for his cell phone all year long. Who authorized that?
I have children that want to play ball in the spring. We missed sign-ups this year because we moved in after they were over; but, I'll tell you this though-- my kids won't be playing for a league that is stealing or corrupt in any manner. I'll sign them up in a different borough where I know my money will be going directly toward the funding of the program for the kids. Just like my money went to Baldwin Pool instead of Brentwood because Brentwood pool opens too late.
Between all the and corrupt people in this borough, and the unsocial, I'm better than you neighbors, me and my husband have been talking about moving somewhere else in the spring. This borough just isn't the borough we thought it was. The borough looks great on web sites and research for schooling. You really don't find out the truth untill you get there--but I guess that is true to today's societies.
Let me just say that I have lived in Brentwood for years, in fact I was raised here. My parents worked with the head of the BAA Jim for years. As a parent, I work with him now because my kids are involved in the BAA.
He has rules that he goes by, he can be a stickler, but he puts in ALOT of time for the kids. On any given day throughout the softball and baseball season you can see him up the park, from dawn until night. He may be a stickler, but he seems to be a nice and very dedicated person to me.
Oscuby8,
I would like to give my two cents to this issue. My kids have been in both organizations. The BAA has been established in Brentwood for over 35 years. I know this because my sibling and I were involved way back then. The BAA has invested large amounts of monies to update and maintain the fields. They have fundraisers and charge an appropriate play fee to cover these expenses. This saves the taxpayers thousands of dollars per year. They do ask the park maintenance crew to drag the fields and cut the grass but it is the managers and coaches that prep the fields for the games and fixes them after bad weather. What has the BSA done to improve the fields that they play on? The borough built them a field on Brentwood Ave and they always use the main stadium field for all but the youngest kids games. The borough crew lines the fields for them and maintains both fields. Again, what are they doing to improve the condition on the field that they help to degrade? The school at least gives monies, albeit not enough, to help restore the field to game shape from the football damage. The BSA and other organizations that use the stadium field feel it is not their problem to maintain that field that the taxpayers should flip the bill through borough and school taxes. This I feel is the reason that the BAA gets more favor throughout the borough. It is only my opinion. I look forward to seeing responses form both sides. We need both organizations to be strong and work together not against each other.
After reading your comment I spoke to one of my neighbors who is involved with the soccer and he said the field at the bottom of Brentwood Ave. is leased by them. That field was not built by the borough; it was built with $70k in grant money that one of the parents in soccer went after and received because whoever the politician in charge of givining grants at that time, wouldn't deal with the Brentwood Council at that time. They also are required to cut the grass and maintain it as well-not the borough. Soccer also does fundraisers throughout the year to raise money with only a $40 registration fee. As for field time, he said that yes the little ones could use the field on Brentwood Ave. but the older age groups (12 and up) play on a 110 yd regulation field. Do we have somewhere else in the borough to accommodate that? He said they are looking into the property on Brentwood Ave where some storage sheds were--but the borough can't seem to come up with a name as to who owns the property. Did you also know that the permits were not granted to soccer till after the season had already started because the borough never got back to them. He claims that Council wasn't sure of the times for the field availability when the schedule is the same for soccer every year; yet, they are given a hard time every year. So, do you blame the soccer organiztion for thinking the way they do (if that is true) about helping to maintain the stadium like the school does--when the school district and the borough have been fighting amongst themselves over who should be responsible for years; that's what I hear.
As for the BAA: I spoke with some parents at school; yeah I agree that a registration fee of $75 is comparable to other boroughs to play ball. But from there a parent then has to pay an additional $15 every year for uniform pants only to get it back when the pants are returned at the end of the season. Then there is the tournaments--another $75 needs to be handed over with the idea that their kid was going to play in 3 tournaments but only got to play in 1 because others couldn't field a team in that age bracket; and paid for another uniform. After listening to them I can't figure out why one would have to pay for new uniforms when you already have one and why the same registration fee applies to both regular season and tournaments. Shouldn't one only pay as they go for the tournaments they enter. Did the parents of those who only played in one tournament get some of their money back as opposed to those who played in all 3? If not, why not? And you have to figure that one of the 3 tournaments was a Brentwood tournament. Don't the other teams pay an entrance fee for our tournaments? Shouldn't that cover the cost of the dirt and umpires? Does anyone know the entrance fee for our tournaments? I know that South Park softball charged a $165 per team fee-I have a friend who lives there. Is ours comparable--or more?
Can someone help me to understand this because I am having a hard time adding up the dollars to account for the amount of monies being charged.
And if my kids want to play next year---is it in my right to ask to see an itemized bill for these charges? Especially considering all the info. I have been taking in from parents from both sides. I would like to know the breakdown of both $75 fee charges.
Oscuby8,
BAA costs. Actually, you now keep the uniform pants and the $15.00 is added to the $75.00. This is due to many parents not returning the pants in the past. They ruined that for the rest of us. Also, the cost of maintaining the field goes up every year along with purchasing updated equipment. There are four fields that the BAA has to provide equipment(bases, field dry, lime, catcher's gear, etc.). They also have to provide bats for T-ball, softball, and baseball. Don't forget all of the t-balls, softballs, and baseballs. They also have multiple levels of each. Don't forget the uniforms. I hope I am giving you an quick but acurate breakdown of the costs. When it comes to the All Star issue. Just remember that not all of the kids make the All Star team. For that reason alone you cannot expect the registration fee for the BAA regular season to include playing in All Stars. Just remember, you can refuse to play on the All Star team if you do not want to pay the fee. Pay to play.
Now the BSA. BSA needs soccer balls for multiple levels and new nets for their goals. Also do not forget the uniforms. Gas for mower and weedwacker to be used at Brentwood Ave. field. They might need lime or paint to line the Brentwood Ave. field. Do they line the stadium field or is that done by the borough? Do you know. Please educate me on what else the $40 goes to pay for. Seems like a lot less costs than the BAA thus the lower registration fee. Does the BSA make the kids pay extra if they make an All Star team?
I personally think it would be great if they convert the old garages by Brenshire Gardens into a soccer field. Maybe you should speak to your freinds from the BSA and have them bring it up to the council. Maybe they could use some of that 4 million dollar capital improvement grant to make it happen.
On the field, I have attended almost all of the council meetings both agenda and regular over the past two and a half years. The BAA has had their schedule to the council for approval at least a month before the BSA. Suggest to you neighbor that they should submit their schedule in January or even right now if their schedule never changes. Maybe they can raise the fee to $50 and buy some grass and fertilizer for the field that they help to destroy while they are at it. I am sorry but again you need to Pay to Play.
The 4 million grant you refer to is NOT A GRANT but a 4 Million Capital Improvements LOAN, that sooner or later will have to be paid back. The Borough budget is about the same (4 million)and when it comes due how do you think it will paid ? Increase taxes is my guess. True, roads are being repaired, fields created, etc. but the LOAN will still have to be paid back and probably with a raise in taxes. So don't think for one minute that council acted with any fiscal responsibility. Borrowing the same amount as the budget is a fiscal nightmare. There is no provisions in the budget right now for the repayment of the LOAN.
Observer, I think the Giant Eagle tiff is soon to expire. I forsee their taxes increasing along with all of Brentwood Towne Center. Also, this is why we need more businesses to move into the borough. I know that people don't agree with the $4 million loan, but it needed to be done.
There are too many things falling apart and we a losing good people who are moving out of the borough.
Our stadium is crying to be fixed, something needs to be done about the track and football field. It affects way too many people. Starting with the football team, soccer team, T-ball teams, marching band, cheerleaders, track team, and whoever else uses the field. It's time for turf and a rubber track and you know what-I would be FIRST in line to donate a couple of hundred dollars to improve the stadium. If residents concerned about the stadium wanted to chip in, we would probably have a pretty decent chunck of change to get things started. I would rather make a one time donation than have my taxes go up forever. I also think we could get some corporate sponsors to help, along with some of the $4 million loan council took out.
Baldwin-Whitehall is no better. Take a look at the high-school their renovating. I think eventually their taxes are going to surpass ours. I am betting on staying right here in Brentwood.
This same conversation goes on year after year. I am involved in the BSA and have been for quite some time. I am not involved in the BSA because of the politics that are required (take that as you wish).
As for the field situation, it is true that the soccer association leases the property on Brentwood Avenue and they are looking for grant money to develop the area just above it. The "little" field there isn't big enough for even 9-12 year olds to play on. The borough doesn't have the room to just put a soccer field anywhere. The fields are not lined by any borough employee. They are lined by soccer coaches. I'm guessing 3/4 of the employees in the borough wouldn't know how to line a soccer field. The little field is maintained by the BSA. The BSA went and got grant money to develop their own field because of all the fighting with the BAA, the Dukes and the rest of the community that for whatever reason doesn't seem to understand that no matter the sport it is all about the kids, but the adults should fight over field times. Get rid of all the adults and let the kids play as they wish, there would be alot less trouble.
The $40 entry fee goes toward that lease along with the paying the referees. Yes the referees, no matter how old they are, are qualified to be soccer referees. They have all been to school to be qualified soccer referees. They have the same credentials as any referee no matter what age group or what area they are in. They are paid up to $15 -$20 per game depending on the age group. The maintenance of the little field comes from this money. The entry fees for the travel teams comes from this money. Updated equipment, nets, balls, etc... come from this money. With soccer there is no fancy concession stand but the 3 women who work at the tent, without asking any parent for help, are there weekly for games and all the money goes back to BSA. There are people who bust their butts to get things done for the soccer program and ask nothing in return.
The difference between the BSA and the BAA - in the BSA it really is about the kids!! Just because you're a coach doesn't mean that your kid is an allstar, which seems to happen way too frequently in the BAA (given the FACT of the results of the tournaments they entered this past year). The BSA seems to realize that the soccer kids ARE the baseball/softball kids and yes those same kids ARE the football/cheerleading kids. There are only so many kids in this borough, many of them play multiple sports. The questions shouldn't be about field times, the questions should be how to make time so that the kids that want to play multiple sports don't have to take time from one to do the other.
The only dealings I have had with the BSA is them throwing my son and his friends off the Brentwood Ave field. They went down to throw a football around, so they didn't have to play in the street. I did not know about the lease on the field, or I wouldn't have told him to go down. I do on the other hand know that the Borough does cut the grass and take care of that area. I see Public Works cutting grass, emptying trash, and cleaning up all the time. I do believe they are also the ones who fixed the storage shed when it fell apart in a storm earlier this year.
BAA - I have been involved with this organization for a few years now. Can Jim be a pain in the ass? Sure, but who of us can't be? Do I agree with all that he does? No, but that does not mean that my way is the better way either. He has run this program for many years, and has done it very well. I don't like the fact that I have to pay for the uniform pants, but as stated before, it is the parents that never returned their's that ruined it for the rest of us. Why do I pay it, along with the fee's of the background and child abuse history clearance that I am required to pay for if I want to coach? Becasue my son loves to play ball. It is in fact all about the kids, isn't it? I love having some extra time with my son, as well as trying to teach these young kids a little bit about life and baseball. Is it costly? Yes it is, but it is well worth it when I see my son on that field having a great time with his friends and teammates.
One thing that only one person touched on is the Dukes. BAA runs almost entirely on it's own, without much help from the borough. It sounds like the BSA tries to do the same thing. Other than the history of the Dukes (although I never heard of them before I moved here), what have they done to contribute to this borough and it's fields that they trash weekly? From what I have been able to find out, not a damn thing. If I am wrong, please inform me, I would love to know.
Just to let you know the Brentwood Dukes Organization does give back to the borough and the school for their use of the field. Every year money above and beyond the costs of the permit fees to use the field is given back to the borough to be used for field maintenance. Also, the line painter that is used to line the field for the football games was purchased by the Brentwood Dukes to be used by both the Spartans and the Dukes. Seven years ago through diligent efforts of the Brentwood Dukes Organization, it's players and parents they successfully raised and donated $100,000.00 for the renovations that were performed on the field at that time. Unfortunately these renovations were not properly completed and the field became a mess shortly after these renovations. This past year the field was re-seeded and MANURED in hopes that grass would grow....unfortunately thanks to rain and a very bright mind that thought addding cow manure to a playing field was a good idea our Spartan team played in actually CRAP! The smell from the field was so overwhelming that players were vomitting, and cheerleaders were sick. Also, last year the Brentwood Council under the adivsement from our former President removed the Brentwood Spartans from practicing on Radison Field (something that they have done for many many many years) and were forced to practice on the very small side field 3 days before a very important Playoff Game. The parents of the players went to the borough council meeting to voice their dismay about their kids being moved from their regular practice only to find out that the complaint of them being on Radison came from the BAA. While at this meeting Mr. Jay Leib our new Council President informed that parents that $14,000 was spent last year for field maintenance. $14,000 on a field that has never been graded correctly from day 1, $14,000 wasted never to have again. When this was mentioned to Mr. Leib he said the grass would grow back. Well as everyone can see the field looks just as pitiful as it ever did.
So MovinOnUp yes the Brentwood Dukes definetly do their fair share of money donating to the borough for the field. It is however the fault of the Borough and no sports team that this field looks the way it does. The job should have been completed correctly with proper grading.
This is all new news to me. I should have asked you instead of the people that I have been asking. I am fairly new to the borough (5 years), so I have not figured out all the goings on yet. I appreciate you educating me, without having to slam me for not knowing what I was talking about. Knowing what I do now, I agree that the problem lies within the way the job was done, not the teams using it. The only question is, who is at fault? Obviously the company that did the job should have done it correctly. If they didn't, then they should not have been paid. Either that, or the borough should have filed a law suit to get it taken care of properly. Someone (or several people) failed to do their job, and the ones who lost out most are the kids. That is the biggest tragedy out of the whole thing.
I think that the solution to the problem is this...We need to buckle up and get people to donate and have council and all the organizations who use the field chip in and have the field turfed. If we are going to fix it we should fix it right instead of throwing money at it year after year.
Glad I could fill you in. There is a long standing battle with that field and I don't think it will ever go away. It's a crying shame to hear fans from other teams comment on the poor conditions of our stadium and field. And it's far more upsetting to know that the high school track team can not have any homes games because of the non regulation size track. You would think that some company out there somewhere would love to have free advertising and publicity for stepping up and fixing the field at low or no cost. But I guess that's alot to ask for.