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Resident urges city oversight, reforms for Brandon Valley Baseball Association
Summary
A Brandon resident urged the council to push for governance reforms at the Brandon Valley Baseball Association (BVBA), citing persistent concerns about transparency, player evaluations and fairness; city officials advised the resident to take concerns to the Brandon Valley School District while confirming the fields are city-owned under a use MOU.
Lon Narby, a Brandon-area resident, urged the council to seek accountability and reforms from the Brandon Valley Baseball Association (BVBA), saying long‑standing concerns about transparency, player evaluations and fairness are driving families to private programs.
“I believe the city has an obligation to ensure that organizations using public facilities uphold community standards, transparency, fairness, and inclusiveness,” Narby said, asking the council to review the city’s agreement with the BVBA and to establish accountability measures so that the organization’s leadership reflects community values.
Narby recommended specific changes including board reform and term limits, transparent player-evaluation processes, clearer coach selection and codes of conduct, and a structure that separates recreational and competitive divisions with appropriate development time. He referenced the American Development Model from USA Baseball as an example.
Council members and staff reminded Narby that while BVBA plays on city-owned fields under a memorandum of understanding, operations of the league and evaluations are typically handled by the league and the Brandon Valley School District. City staff and council suggested Narby also bring his concerns to the school district athletic director. Staff confirmed the city provides the fields and maintains MOUs with local sports associations but does not direct how those organizations run tryouts or internal evaluations.
Narby said the fields and facilities are city property and asked the council to ensure organizations using taxpayer-funded facilities meet community expectations. Council members thanked him for his input and recommended direct engagement with the BVBA board and the school district.
