At Monday's City Commission meeting, Commissioners heard an update from Salina Baseball Enterprises during their Study Session.
Salina Baseball Enterprises was established in 1984. It is a successor organization to Salina philanthropist and icon Dean Evans. There has been over 20 years of partnership with the City of Salina on Dean Evans Stadium, as well as Matson Field. Salina Baseball Enterprises was been a continuous sponsor of the American Legion Baseball program through 2021. Currently, Salina Baseball Enterprises is sponsoring five teams, comprising of 65 Salina youth ages 14-18. They are an accredited 501c(3) non-profit organization with a 13-member Board of Directors. Finally, Salina Baseball Enterprises saw the construction of the original Dean Evans Stadium in 1991, and developed, funded, and managed the 2021 renovations.
Phase-I of Salina Baseball Enterprises renovations was completed in March 2021. This included the constructin of new premier baseball and softball stadiums for Salina youth sports (Dean Evans Stadium and Salina South High School). These fields are fully turfed playing surfaces to reduce the number of game cancellations and rescheduling. Significant upgrades and renovations were made to existing playing fields and amenities, including dugouts, bullpens, batting cages, and fencing. New restrooms, concessions, and umpire dressing rooms were also completed.
Visit Salina released an economic impact report of baseball tournaments held in 2022. They were as follows:
- March 27 - Salina Kings Baseball 8 U Indoor - Salina Fieldhouse - $17,680
- April 2 & 3 - Salina Slugfest Baseball - Bill Burke & BFRA - $284,240
- April 23 & 24 - USSSA Grand Slam Baseball - Bill Burke - $142,120
- May 7 - SAYSI - Youth Baseball & Softball Tournaments Bill Burke - $137,160
- May 21 - USSSA Baseball - Bill Burke & BFRA - $182,880
- June 9-12 -Mid America Baseball - Best of the Midwest Baseball Series of Tournaments - $371,400
- June 19 - SAYSI June Youth Baseball & Softball Tournaments - Bill Burke - $244,440
- June 30-July 3 - Kansas Grand Slam Baseball Tournament - $620,376
- July 7-10 - Mid America Baseball - Best of the Midwest Baseball Series of Tournaments - 208,960
- July 12-14 - Hap Dumont 9U State Championship Baseball Tournment - $326,384
- July 26-27 - KSHSAA 4A State Baseball Tournament - $277,230
TOTAL: $2,812,870
In May 2022, the KSHSAA 4A State Softball Tournament was again hosted by Visit Salina, but at the USD 305 South High Softball Facility for the first time. Teams, fans, and KSHSAA were very impressed with the site, and the event will again be held at South High in 2023. This change makes it possible for another event to utilize the fields at Bill Burke Park during the same weekend, which only increases the impact of sports.
Dean Evans Stadium Renovations were completed, with upgrades including to the iconic Stadium. They included fully turfing the playing surface, dugout renovations, a new 480v field lighting power system, a premier seating pavilion, accommodations for live streaming, stadium entrance and ticket booth, security fencing, a new women's handicap toilet, the renovation of existing toilets, and an added umpire dressing room.
The South High Softball Complex renovations included fully turfed playing surfaces on both fields, and new fencing for the entire complex. In addition, new dugouts with locked equipment storage room and enhanced fan seating areas were added. Construction also installed a covered grandstand and Press Box, an LED field lighting system, and accommodations for live streaming. New toilets, concession, and an umpire dressing room are currently under construction, and scheduled for completion in March 2023.
The following are pictures of the existing Wilbur Field.
The following are pictures of the existing James Matson Field.
Salina Baseball Enterprises has a vision for Phase II, involving next steps in completing the vision of Wilbur Field and James Matson Field.
These include the renovation of Wilbur Field as a second fully-turfed premier stadium to compliment Dean Evans Stadium. Facility improvements at James Matson Field would be completed as fundraising allows.
Wilbur Field improvements would be completed on a $3,060,000 budget. They include a fully-turfed playing surface, turfed bullpens, batting cages, and new dugouts and dugout seating. Fans would have a covered grandstand similar to the new South High setup, with a Press box. An additional elevated fan seating will be added, with a new foul line and homerun fencing, as well as an LED field lighting system for Wilbur Field. Dean Evans will also receive an LED lighting system using existing poles. Finally, a PA system will be installed at the Press box.
James Matson Field will also be completed as well, these on a $325,000 budget. They include new bullpens, batting cages, new dugouts and dugout seating, and improvement of existing bleacher seating. In addition, miscellaneous upgrades to the existing Men's and Women's toilets would be completed, along with additional identified improvements.
Representatives of Salina Baseball Enterprises stood before the City Commission to request that they join in the completion of the baseball experience at Berkley Family Recreation Area. With a total project budget of $3.4M, 70% would be funded by Salina Baseball Enterprises, with 30% being funded by the City of Salina.
Because this was a Study Session, no formal action was taken. However, City Commissioners did direct City Staff to continue to work with Salina Baseball Enterprises and move the project forward.