The following was released by the officers of the Gloucester City Little League:
The Gloucester City Little League is working hard for the start of our 56th season of the Little League Baseball in Gloucester City. Try-outs and the Major Division draft were held this past weekend and by next weekend all coaches and players will be assigned to their respective teams and ready to go for our opening day celebration on April 12.
It is exciting time for all involved and as we now turn our attention to what we love about summer-Little League Baseball.
This past week the alleged perpetrator of the theft of Little League funds (our former Treasurer Harry Fox, Jr.) was arrested and formally charged. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for the end of March and additional information will be released when available.
The league\’s position is prosecution to the fullest extent with full restitution.
The missing funds were from our Reserve Account and our Capital Improvement account. At no time was the league \”bankrupt\” as reported or was the 2008 season ever in jeopardy.
The league is structured so each year\’s operating capital is generated by registration fees, sponsor fees, ad signs, candy and hoagie sales and the efforts of the Ladies Auxiliary. The kids will be totally unaffected by the recent events, although some planned improvements will have to be rescheduled.
Additional revenues occasionally are generated by tournaments (State Tournament in 1995, the annual 8-yr old Tournament) and by 50/50\’s and refreshment sales when we host District and Section All-Star games. That revenue goes into the Capital Improvement account for major field expenditures.
That account had grown in the last few years because we had delayed some improvements pending the actions on our fields and we were accruing extra funds in case temporary fields had to be built or leased so we would not miss a season or two while the clean-up work was being completed. Do to the lengthy delays at Klemm Ave, we proceeded with major improvements this season (new sod) on the infield, left field fenced extended, new warning track and fence replacement at the Major Field and backstop renovations, batting cage and warning track at the Senior Field.
While this work was being bid, we received the $25,000 grant from the Camden Count Board of Chose Freeholder Tom Gurcik. That allowed us to reallocate the funds in our Capital Improvement account towards substantial improvements to the Tee-Ball and Minor Fields, but that money is now gone.
Our League is pulling together and with the great support we have already received and anticipate receiving from the business community (thanks to the Gloucester City Business Association) and our long time sponsors and supporters, we are moving forward with great enthusiasm to meet the challenge before us.
There will be some information forthcoming of some special events that are being planned, thanks to some very special people who are standing behind our organization and offering us some unbelievable support.
We are very grateful for all of the encouragement we have received and the generous support from many benefactors. We look forward to seeing everyone out for the Opening Day Parade and down at the fields all season supporting our kids playing baseball. Thank you.
Bob Plews-G.C.L.L. and League Information Officer
This post was imported from a legacy archive. Please excuse any formatting inconsistencies.