Commission recommends denying POS League license at Frank Solico Jr. Ballpark over staffing, safety and net cost concerns

The Monterey Parks & Recreation Commission recommended that City Council deny a license request from the POS League of Baseball LLC to use Frank Solico Jr. Ballpark for Sundays and other dates May–July 2026, after staff described safety, staffing and fiscal concerns tied to the league’s prior use of the field.

"Staff has determined that this model is unsustainable due to the fiscal impacts, the safety concerns, the aging facility, [and] staffing issues," said Nate Cota, recreation supervisor, summarizing staff’s review of the league’s one‑year 2025 agreement and its operational impacts. Staff told the commission that the city incurred over $19,000 in indirect costs in 2025 managing lease obligations, oversight and logistics for games, and that it had tracked 253 balls leaving the ballpark during the season, including 99 foul balls that left the field toward Dennis the Menace Park or its parking lot.

Nate outlined specific operational burdens: staff time during peak summer months for site management, coordination of dumpsters and restroom access, responding to calls from vendors and the public, and post‑event cleanup. He said the city’s aging ballpark experienced additional wear and tear under the higher level of semi‑professional play, and that some past payments tied to license terms were only made after staff prompting. Staff noted the league had previously operated under multi‑year agreements, and that 2025 had been intentionally treated as a one‑year, "last chance" arrangement.

Commissioners discussed alternatives, including requiring the league to prepay or escrow indirect costs, changing license terms to shift responsibilities, or supporting staff’s recommendation to deny. Staff said there is internal demand for those field hours and that the department can open registration for internal programs that would increase revenue while reducing indirect costs.

A POS League representative was invited but did not appear to speak at the meeting; staff said they had held prior debriefs with league representatives and had raised concerns in past seasons. The commission moved and voted by voice to recommend denial; no opposition was audible on the meeting audio.

What happens next: The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for consideration during the council’s May meetings. If council denies the license or imposes stricter terms, the city’s calendar of field use for summer 2026 will be adjusted and staff said it can prioritize internal programs and rentals for available slots.