Update: Chatham-Kent Council unanimously approved staff recommendations to bring an Intercounty Baseball League team to Chatham-Kent. Background information is listed below.
An agreement to bring an Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) Team to Chatham-Kent is up for discussion at the Chatham-Kent Council meeting on Monday, November 21, 2022.
“In February 2020, Dom Dinelle, owner of the IBL team approached administration to present the project of establishing an IBL baseball franchise in Chatham-Kent,” Rob Pollock, director of parks, recreation and cemeteries, in a staff report.
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the project was put on hold and administration started investigating this proposal again in early 2022.”
Pollock said the IBL was established in 1919 and has players that have played in major professional leagues as well as elite NCAA college baseball players.
“Composed of eight teams in Ontario, the League operates under rules similar to Major League Baseball (MLB),” Pollock said in his report.
“Many players that have played in this League have made it to MLB including Chatham’s own Ferguson Jenkins.”
Staff has made four recommendations to Council:
– The five-year agreement between the Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) team and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent be approved.
– The 2023 Capital requirements of $195,500 be funded from the Hydro One Community Benefit Contribution Reserve.
– Operating and lifecycle costs pre-approved for funding in the 2024-2027 multi-year budget.
– The Clerk and the General Manager of Infrastructure and Engineering Services be authorized to sign the agreement.
The full report can be seen, here.
The in-person Council meeting is set to begin at 6 p.m.
