Fielding feedback

Medford City Baseball had a big year in 2023 with the completion of more than $40,000 worth of improvements to the city baseball field complex. However, additional improvements may need city involvement to take place.

MCB representative Andy Guden was at Tuesday’s Medford City Council meeting to give the annual report on the baseball organization’s management of the fields. As part of the lease agreement between MCB and the city, the group must give an annual report on activities and finances.

“I drew the short straw tonight,” Guden said jokingly as he gave the report from the organization.

A major project for the fields was the installation of a grass infield for the baseball diamond and installation of irrigation at both the baseball field and the little league field. Guden explained this will allow them to keep the grass in See CITY on page 4 the playing field healthy. He explained that even though the infield for the Little League diamond is skinned they irrigate that in order to keep it soft. He said in the summer the infield would get as hard as concrete increasing the risk of injury for the players.

The bulk of the field work was paid for through a Fulcrum Foundation grant of $39,124 the group had received last year. In addition, the group used fundraising dollars to install batting cages at both fields, which will be a boost as the fields host a growing number of events and tournaments over the summer.

Guden said there are 10 total youth travel ball teams who use the field including four softball teams and six baseball teams. He also reported that the Medford Moondogs will be playing at the field again this summer as part of the Dairyland Baseball League. Major events this summer include on June 28-29 four of the travel baseball teams will be hosting tournaments at the field along with using other area fields.

“It will bring a ton of teams,” Guden said.

Beyond baseball, there are also plans underway for a group to bring a dodgeball tournament to the fields following the baseball season.

Guden said the group plans to continue to address upgrades with the goal this summer to replace the scoreboard in the south field.

Council member Randy Haynes said Medford has a nice facility in the park, but that it needs more to be done. He said it would be nice to have an announcer/scoring booth and also commented on the age and size of the bleachers noting they are insufficient for tournaments.

Guden noted they do a temporary booth when they host events, but agreed with the need for improving the facility.

“There will always be things we want to improve on,” Guden said, noting that he would welcome if the city wanted to put additional funds toward the fields to help with projects.

Council member Peggy Kraschnewski also questioned improvements and maintenance to the concession building.

According to city coordinator Joe Harris, the city maintains and does improvements in the bathrooms. He said in the past when the Lions ran the concession stand, that group would do improvements to the serving area, but now that falls under the MCB responsibility. Guden explained that the concessions for games and tournaments are typically run by the Little League group.

“I think you are bringing a lot into the community with the tournaments you are bringing in,” Haynes said in support of MCB.

“It is great to see the field used again,” said council member Mike Bub. He agreed with the need for additional improvements to the field and complex and said it might be something to consider as a capital investment for the city much like they make planned improvements for roads and parks.

Haynes agreed and noted that in the years that MCB has managed the fields, its usage has grown and hasn’t faded.

In other business, council members:

 Heard from Nicolas Kumm, managing director of Great Lakes Utilities (GLU). Kumm is also the head of the Marshfield electric utility and has served as director of GLU since last July. GLU was created in 2000 and is a joint effort of Medford and 10 other municipally owned utilities across the central part of the state. It is a project agency, which means that members can opt in or out of projects. GLU works with regional and national agencies and power companies to secure power supply for its member communities. Medford is a founding member of GLU and Harris currently serves as its board secretary. By working together on purchasing power they are able to secure a better rate than working separately, this is especially true for the smaller municipalities. Prior to Kumm taking over as director, GLU had been based out of Manitowoc, which is the largest utility in the group.

 Approved two annexation requests for parcels on Hwy 13 including a property owned by Ken Sova and one owned by Scott Mildbrand and Amy Blasel located at 1210 and 1260 N. 8th St. Annexation of the Sova parcel was necessary in order to complete the annexation of the Mildbrand/Blasel parcel for commercial development.

 Approved a public participation plan for the update to the city’s comprehensive plan. The project outlines a timeline to have the new plan approved by March 2025.

 Received word that Haas plans to begin the water main project on Musky Court on Monday and expects to begin the water main replacement on Whelen Ave. the following week. Crews will be using pipe bursting to upgrade the mains without needing to rip up the roads.

 Received word that the city received the ballots for the April election and that city clerk Ashley Lemke will be mailing out absentee ballots beginning Tuesday. She said with 134 absentee ballots set to go out in the mail she is anticipating a much higher turnout for the election than for the recent primary which saw only about 50 voters.