Ball field costs itemized

Renting the McMinnville Parks and Recreation ball fields for tournaments will cost $80 per field for all-day use, but Parks and Recreation director Carlene Brown says that?s not even enough to pay for the cost of getting the field ready.

Every summer baseball tournaments are held at the Civic Center?s various fields and every summer the city is asked to reduce the rate charged or waive it altogether.

Last year, the city waived the fees completely for non-profit organizations, but there was a cost to the city. Because of this, city officials wanted to know the exact cost concerning upkeep of the ball fields.

According to the breakdown presented to city officials by Parks and Recreation, getting a field ready for one game costs $107.30 per field per day. This cost doesn?t include one free re-lining of the field during the day before another game is played.

Here is an account of game-day preparation as provided by Parks and Recreation:

Labor: Field dragging, raking $9; field lining $12; trash removal $18; restroom cleaning and re-cleaning $6.

Supplies: Marking dust $5; foul line paint $1.80; trash bags 75 cents; toilet paper 75 cents; fuel (dragging-transportation) $1.50; diamond dry $10.25; sand $7.75.

Mowing: Labor $13.50; fuel $3.

Electricity: Three hours $18.