Brainerd Baseball Association to install scoreboards, board directs staff to prepare MOU

The Park Board voted Jan. 28 to direct staff to prepare a memorandum of understanding with the Brainerd Baseball Association (BBBA) after a presentation by a BBBA representative on field improvements and tournament plans. The association told the board it would fund and install new scoreboards at JC Park and Bain Park, and possibly at Mills Field, in exchange for on-field banner space to recoup costs and assist with field maintenance.

Corey, representing BBBA, said the association currently uses 4-by-4 heavy vinyl banners and prefers to continue that approach on taller fence parks; smaller fences may require 3-by-3 banners. Board members discussed design standard considerations for banners across city facilities and agreed existing baseball banners could be grandfathered while staff develops broader design standards for other park amenities. The board then made and passed a motion directing staff to bring a formal MOU for review in February.

Staff and the BBBA also discussed converting some softball diamonds to little-league configurations for tournaments, purchasing bases and making championship games playable in grandstands under lights. The board’s motion directs staff to draft an MOU addressing installation, banner placement and maintenance contributions and return with the document at a future meeting for formal approval.