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Meridian Youth Baseball & Softball highlights tournaments, volunteer labor and parking challenges
Summary
League leaders told the commission Nov. 13 that MYBS hosted major tournaments generating an estimated $375,000 in regional tourism revenue, fields are being improved through donations and in-kind help, an in-house umpire training program reduces costs and provides youth jobs, and parking at Settlers Park remains a pressing issue to be addressed with the planned community center.
League leaders for Meridian Youth Baseball & Softball (MYBS) presented a year-in-review to the Parks and Recreation Commission on Nov. 13, outlining growth in participation, substantial volunteer contributions, facility upgrades and ongoing parking challenges.
"We estimated about $375,000 in tourism revenue for the Treasure Valley" from teams and families attending MYBS tournaments, said Travis Young, president of Meridian Youth Baseball and Softball. Young described spring, summer and fall programs that together fielded roughly 2,108 players across about 184 teams in 2024 and highlighted marquee tournaments the league hosted, including the Keith Byrd and Dairy Days events.
David Lang, the league treasurer, told commissioners the organization operates as a nonprofit heavily reliant on volunteers and fundraising. He said tournament fees, snack-shack revenue and donations offset player fees and capital requests and that local businesses have provided donated materials and labor for field projects. League representatives estimated volunteer time and in-kind contributions amount to substantial labor savings for the community recreation system.
Presenters described several recent and planned field improvements: new infield dirt and backstop padding at Meridian Middle, aluminum dugout benches, fence upgrades and artificial turf inlays to reduce cancellations caused by worn grass. At Sellers (Settlers) Park they installed motorized shades for concessions, dugout fencing and entrance gates to improve safety and durability.
An MYBS board member outlined an in-house umpire training program that recruits and certifies young umpires (as young as 12), reducing outside umpire costs and providing advancement opportunities. The program has allowed the league to pay a reduced per-game rate and to deploy umpires across tournaments and local games.
Parking at Settlers Park remains a persistent neighborhood complaint during tournaments, MYBS officials said. They distribute maps and signage directing attendees to appropriate lots, coordinate scheduling with Parks & Rec to avoid double booking and are investigating options including marking the unpaved dirt lot to increase capacity and working with the city on eventual parking expansion tied to the new community center. City staff said the community center site plan includes about 340 parking spaces, with a portion intended to serve the ball fields directly.
Commissioners asked about funding sources for capital improvements; presenters credited a mix of donations, tournament revenue and in-kind city assistance. Commissioners recommended outreach to homeowners associations and neighbors to explain the league’s volunteer-driven model and the community benefits of youth sports programs.
The MYBS presentation concluded with appreciation for city collaboration and a request for continued coordination as the community center and parking projects proceed.
