Priority Work Completed Thanks to Fundraising, Cost Cutting and Focus

12/11/2011, 9:36pm CST

By LZBSA Staff Reporter

Checkbooks paid for about 1/3 of field work.

Over the past two years, the LZBSA Board of Directors has worked to tackle pent up field work.

Situation: Eighteen fields to maintain; troubled economy; rising costs; backlog of capital expenditure work.

Action: Assessed situation; defined mission; aligned training with LZHS criteria; and enacted several cost savings and fundraisers to address backlog of work.

Expenses reduced:

Uniform and equipment expenses were reduced through market bidding
Roster Books were eliminated
Reduced insurance expenses with no change in coverage

Increased revenue:

T-Shirts & Hoodies sold
Panda and Yogi's Fundraising nights
Additional sponsorship levels and sponsorship drive
Responsible Sports community grant
Checkbook fundraising
This all before we raised fees by five to ten dollars each year

Outcome:

Linked baseball and softball programs with the high school to align coaching and philosphies
Implemented Opening Day MLB Pitch, Hit & Run contest. Two LZBSA players, Darcey Petrus and Patrick Tauras advanced in the contest to compete at Wrigley Field! Tauras earned a second place finish in baseball, while Petrus, took third for softball!
Web Store opened for LZBSA clothes and gear
Staples Concession stand painted
High School 1 backstop fencing repaired
Staples 1 new backstop and fencing (November 2011)
Staples 2 new backstop and fencing (November 2011)
Hunters Creek backstop repairs (November 2011)

Most importantly, the LZBSA Board of Directors has been invigorated like no other to continue the work, to deliver the mission and make the program even better than it is today! We look forward to the implementation of team Manager Certification and continue to tackle the backlog of work.

A big thank you to everyone who contributed to this success!

Can't wait to get out and play ball.