Mitchell Sports & Events Authority approves grants for local tournaments, denies one request

The Mitchell Sports & Events Authority voted July 8, 2025, in Mitchell to award $9,750 in grants to local sporting events and to deny one funding request, board members said at the meeting.

The grants approved by the board are intended to support tournaments and community events that the authority says generate hotel room nights and local spending. Board members considered presentations from organizers for youth baseball, men's slow-pitch softball, a Kiwanis half marathon, and a regional pool tournament before voting.

Nathan Sparks, president of the Mitchell Baseball Association, asked the authority for $6,000 to help host several tournaments, including the upcoming state youth tournament in Mitchell. "I think I put in the application maybe 50 teams, but, we have 60 teams coming," Sparks said, adding teams from across South Dakota were expected. The board approved $3,000 for the Mitchell Baseball Association's early-bird tournament, state youth tournament and the Harv Johnston/Brian Wilson events; the motion was made by Tim (last name not specified in the public transcript) and seconded by Kevin (last name not specified). Jason (board member) recorded a nay on that motion and Jim Johnson abstained.

Joe Wenzel, area commissioner for USA slow pitch softball for Mitchell, requested funding to offset costs the men's league incurs when hosting a state slow-pitch tournament. Wenzel said most teams travel from outside Mitchell and the league does not receive gate or concession revenue. The board approved $2,000 for the Mitchell men's slow-pitch softball state tournament; the motion passed with board members voting in favor (mover and seconder recorded in the meeting minutes as Jim for the motion and a second by Jim (names as spoken in the meeting)).

Crystal Frond, a Kiwanis Club board member and organizer of the Palisade Kiwanis Half Marathon, said the race funnels proceeds back into youth programs and brings out-of-area runners to Mitchell. "All of the proceeds that come from this event ... goes back into those kids programs," Frond said. The authority approved $750 for the Palisade Kiwanis half marathon after a motion by Dave (last name not specified) and a second by Marie (last name not specified).

Organizers Jen Raymond and Corey Ditter requested $5,000 to host the Palace City 8 Ball Open at the Highland Conference Center in November. They said the event draws players from several states and helps hotel occupancy. The board approved $4,000 for the Palace City 8 Ball Open after a motion by Brian (last name not specified) and a second by Emily (last name not specified); the vote included two recorded nays, including one from Dave.

The board denied a grant request from South Dakota SODAC (16 basketball) by a motion to reject the funding; the motion carried following board discussion and votes recorded in the meeting minutes.

The board also approved routine business items including the June 10 minutes and the financial report showing a current Sports & Events Authority available fund balance of $114,690 (year-to-date collections and room-night figures were discussed in the financial presentation). Officials noted year-to-date collections through May totaled $113,871 from the $2 per room, per night collection and that room-night counts and comparisons to prior years were included in the packet.

The authority adjourned and set its next meeting for Aug. 12, 2025.

Votes at a glance

- South Dakota SODAC (16 basketball): Motion to deny grant request — motion passed (mover recorded as Bridal; second by Dave). Vote counts not fully recorded in the public excerpt; meeting minutes record the motion carried and two abstentions were noted in the session discussion.

- Mitchell Baseball Association (early bird, state youth, Harv Johnston/Brian Wilson): Motion to fund $3,000 — motion passed (mover: Tim; seconder: Kevin). Jason recorded a nay; Jim Johnson abstained; remaining members voted aye.

- Mitchell men's slow-pitch softball state tournament: Motion to fund $2,000 — motion passed (mover recorded as Jim; seconder recorded as Jim in the public record). All other votes recorded as aye in the minutes excerpt.

- Palisade Kiwanis Half Marathon: Motion to fund $750 — motion passed (mover: Dave; seconder: Marie). Vote recorded as unanimous in the excerpt.

- Palace City 8 Ball Open: Motion to fund $4,000 (requested $5,000) — motion passed (mover: Brian; seconder: Emily). Two nays were recorded (one by Dave); the motion passed.

Board members and presenters provided detailed attendance and participation estimates, and several presenters emphasized that state or national organizing bodies retain registration revenue while local leagues and organizers shoulder local expenses such as field prep, venue rental, and lodging for officials.

The authority's packet and financial presentation included year-to-date collection figures, room-night totals, and award and expense summaries; these items were discussed during the meeting and are reflected in the authority's financial records.