Commission approves stadium lease and $50,000 partnership as Fort Scott prepares for Mid‑America Baseball League team

The Fort Scott City Commission on March 18 approved a five‑year, rent‑free lease for the La Roche Baseball Complex with a Mid‑America Baseball League franchise and authorized a $50,000 monetary partnership to support the team’s first season.

Why it matters: The lease and partnership bind a new semi‑professional team to Fort Scott’s stadium and commit city funds to support operations that city staff say will boost summer tourism, stadium upkeep and concession‑driven local business activity.

What the commission approved - Lease: a five‑year lease permitting the league to operate the La Roche Baseball Complex rent free; the league will run concessions, maintain the field during its occupancy and staff game‑day operations. - Monetary partnership: $50,000 total, with $30,000 from the city’s economic‑development budget and $20,000 from the tourism budget. The league will pay the city $0.50 per ticket and operate a local storefront for merchandise and ticket sales.

Details and discussion: Brad Badkin, representing city administration, told commissioners the league plans a full home schedule (approximately 32 home games) and estimates direct local economic impact through visitor spending. Commissioners asked about insurance and liability; city staff said the league will provide event‑level liability insurance and year‑long coverage as required in the draft lease. Commissioners also asked about responsibility for property damage; staff said the lease holds the league responsible for game‑related facility damage and requires proof of insurance.

Votes: The motion to approve the lease and monetary partnership passed unanimously.

What’s next: Staff will finalize the lease, obtain certificates of insurance from the league, and confirm storefront and marketing arrangements before the team’s first season. The commission directed staff to return executed documents to the commission for the record.