Youth baseball group asks Brentwood to consider 99‑year lease to qualify for Cal Ripken lighting grant

Aaron Savage, a representative of EJBSL baseball, told the Brentwood Recreation Commission that the league is pursuing a grant through Cal Ripken Baseball to pay roughly 50% of the cost of permanent lighting for two fields and asked the town to consider whether a long-term commitment would be possible.

The request came during the commission’s regular meeting. Savage said the grant requires a 99‑year lease or other long-term commitment to qualify and that some of the potential target fields — including Courier Field and the field behind the former high school — are on school property, which complicates a long lease. "We ran into some issues because there's a requirement of a 99 year lease for us to qualify for a grant," Savage said during the discussion.

Why it matters: permanent sports lighting can extend hours for multiple users — youth baseball, soccer, adult softball, lacrosse and community groups — but installing lights is expensive. Savage told the commission he was quoted figures of about $125,000–$150,000 per field for a lighting package; the Cal Ripken grant would cover about half and EJBSL planned to pursue a loan or internal fundraising for the remaining share. "If we got the grant, we get a $125,000 covered," Savage said. He added that EJBSL would pay its share if Brentwood could support the grant application or otherwise meet the grant's eligibility rules.

Discussion and next steps: Commission members raised legal and property questions — whether the town could grant a 99‑year lease; whether the town itself could apply as a Cal Ripken member; and whether the school district could enter such a term. Savage said the school land made a 99‑year lease unlikely and suggested the town could instead consider joining Cal Ripken Baseball so it could apply directly. The league asked to return with a formal presentation outlining requirements and options. The commission voted to invite Exeter/Exeter-area youth baseball (EJBSL) back with additional information in about two meetings.

What wasn’t decided: No contract or lease was approved at the meeting. Commissioners and staff said legal and property approvals would be required and that any financing plan would need more exact numbers and formal proposals.

Ending: Savage said EJBSL would gather details and return, and the commission agreed to hear the presentation in two meetings so members could weigh feasibility, financing and legal issues before any formal commitment by the town.