This weeks jackass,Or should I say jackasses are the Washington County Commissioners.Why you ask?
How about giving $5,000 to the Conococheague Little League to"reimburse" them for hotel lodging while they played in the Mid Atlantic tourney in Bristol,Conn.
But Bob,How are they assholes for that? Well I am glad you asked...
The money they used for this was taken from the Hotel-Motel taxes,Which is "Supposed"to be used for events to promote tourism.How is a little league team playing in Bristol Conn supposed to attract tourists to Washington County?
And please do not say having them on ESPN,And having Washington County,Md said 500 times will generate the money you spent.
Little league baseball has ALWAYS been a sport that was funded by the parents,Leagues,And sponsors..Why should the County start handing out cash?
Meanwhile you have a baseball stadium that is closer to being condemned then being new,And every time the Hagerstown Suns ask for anything what do you hear,Oh we just can't afford it.Wake up!!! Every year you waste not doing improvements to the stadium is 1 more year closer to Major League Baseball coming and saying that's it,Your team is being moved!
The idea of the Hotel-Motel tax to begin with was funding a new ballpark for the Suns,Then it became Whatever brings people to town.News flash,The visiting team are paying for hotel,food,and any other items they get while in town.The average size of the team coming to town is of course the guys on the roster-25,Then add in guys on the DL,Trainers,Coaches,And possibly managers kids,Wife.. You can quickly go from just the 25 man roster,To having 30-40 people staying for up to 4 maybe 5 days.
Now add the average price of staying at a hotel around a 100 bucks(I'm sure they get a break getting so many rooms but still)If 40 people stayed you're talking 4 grand(before discounts)what carnival is going to give you 16 grand in 4 days?Plus the taxes they spend on food,And drink are not added into this..So safe to say add at least another 2 or 3 grand pumped into the local economy.. Oh but wait, I forgot,Instead of spending money on what brings more money back in,Let's have another beer fest,Or maybe a concert no one will go to.Yeah that sure will rake in those tourist dollars!!
I'm not how many of you reading are actual baseball fans,But the sad truth is that when MILB decides to give Cal Ripken yet another tax funded stadium(There is no if,It will happen)And your Suns go to play in another city,You can kiss organized baseball good bye in the Hub City for good!
So how are the Washington County Commissioners the jackess of the week? For foolishly thinking spending 5,or even 10 thousand dollars will bring this town national exposure from a little league team!!! Maybe if you paid 5 grand for a commercial that ran during the Little league World Series promoting Washington County as nice place to live,Watch sporting events,Showcase the entire county that would bring more results.
I have emailed a few commissioners and asked them to support Minor League Baseball in Washington County,And you can find those responses in the archives of this blog
Now what I would like you to do is also email them,Send them letters,Call them.. Don't stop there,Do the same to every elected official that YOU helped elect(And can kick out of office,Ask Penny Nigh)Tell them you want the Hagerstown Suns to get a first class facility they deserve.
I'm not against Little League Baseball,My problem is only doing for 1 team will come back to bite you in the ass later.You don't think all the other leagues in this county aren't saying"Why not us?" Why don't they get 5 grand also?You have opened a box of problems down the road.
Don't forget.. Senators,Commissioners,Mayor,City Council.Tell them all we want a new stadium!!
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