Sparks Centennial Little League has canceled its season due to the coronavirus. The league vice president says the league can only refund 20 percent of each participant's registration fees. Funds from fees were primarily spent on preparing for the season.
The sound of the ball hitting the glove on the fields of the Golden Eagle Sports Complex isn't from the typical 5-12 year old baseball game that happens this time of year. It's from people playing catch. Sparks Centennial Little League has canceled its season due to the coronavirus.
"Yeah it's very disappointing," said Centennial baseball player Parker Stewart. For 11-year-old Stewart the loss of the season hits close to home. "It's a fun game to play," said Stewart.
His father is Vice President of the league. He says right now the league can only refund 20 percent of each participant's registration fees. "We need to hold some money in the bank. I mean bottom line is if we don't do that, we may very well be bankrupt next year and there's no Little League for anyone," said Sparks Centennial Little League Vice President Brad Stewart.
Brad Stewart says $94,000 was collected in registration fees this year. Most of that money was spent on preparing for the season. $51,727 went into uniforms and equipment, $5,170 on insurance, $22,665 was paid on last year's light bill which had to be paid in February, and $3,880 on field maintenance expenses. That's $83,445. After refunding parents the 20 percent, the league will only $20,000 in its accounts. "To be honest, I'd rather see it reinvested into the league every year," said Brad Stewart.
Other parents have their own thoughts on this as well. "I think its a tough call for the people in charge to decide what to do with that money," said the parent of an 11-year-old Centennial baseball player. "Times are tough and if you are hurting a bit financially that money could go a long way for your family. So I see both sides of it. What I do know is the people who run this league are great people. I am very confident at the end of the day that people who are making these decisions are going to find a way to make it work out," said the father of another player.
As for Parker, he's looking more to the positive. "I thought about it and I realized that I have a chance to come back and win a championship. So I'm going to hope for the best next year," said Parker Stewart.
Sparks Centennial Little League says it plans on giving players a reduced rate next year to make up for the partial refund.
Washoe Little League says its also only giving partial refunds as well.
"We are withholding $43 from every child's registration (full reg. ranges from $153-$128/child). We wanted to give back more but there were some costs we just couldn't absorb and still put on a league in the future," says Bodie Monroe, Washoe Little League President.
For those in the Reno American Little League, they are giving families the option of a full refund.
"We understand some families could really use a full refund, while some are ok with a portion of their registration fee or accepting a credit for next year. Any family that requests a full refund will receive one," says Brian Fritz, Reno American Little League President.
