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52 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, January 28, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Opportunities Moving to Southern Oregon? MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend January 12, 2005 Baseball society drops the ball Organization contracted to build a replacement for Miles Field may be dropped by the city of Medford for violating public bid laws By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune There’s a good chance the region’s youth will not be playing baseball on a brand new field this summer as planned. City officials say they’re considering whether to end their contract with the Medford Youth Baseball Society to build a replacement for Miles Field because it failed to send the project to bid before awarding a contract, among other possible violations. "The society was unable and unwilling to comply with public contracting rules," City Attorney Ron Doyle said Tuesday. The City Council will consider the issue at its Jan. 20 meeting. In July, $2.3 million from Jackson County’s sale of Miles Field was awarded to the society, a non-profit corporation created to build, support and maintain youth baseball fields in Medford. Advertisement The money came from the sale of the property to Wal-Mart for a total of $8 million last June. Demolition of Miles Field, which was on the property, began in September. The agreement was that the society would build a new field at the new 132-acre sports park on Highway 99 across from Bear Creek Corp. Site preparation and construction began but was halted because the society awarded a contract to Batzer Construction without soliciting bids. "What happened was we made a procedural mistake in the process of awarding an agreement," said Gary Miller, president of Medford Youth Baseball Society. "We did not do the request for proposals," said Miller, adding that he thought the society had been doing things properly. Meanwhile, the city is still obligated to move forward on the project. "The city and the county have an agreement to build a baseball facility by November 7, 2006," said Doyle, adding that that agreement is still in place. So city staff will take over. "The city certainly has the capability of going forward and completing the project," said City Manager Mike Dyal. "My understanding is there is about $2 million left ... we will build a ballfield for that amount." In November the society sent a letter Dyal and Parks and Recreation Director Brian Sjothun with a project update, including a projected cost of $3.1 million. The society hoped to secure the funds through private contributions, according to the letter. While there is no current litigation over the project, Doyle said staff is investigating whether other violations occurred. "(There is concern) whether or not prevailing wage rates were paid on the project which potentially could lead to litigation," said Doyle. Doyle said the council will consider paying for contractual work that has been completed to date. He said about $100,000 already had been authorized by the council, but there is about another $190,000 worth of work completed for which payment had not yet been authorized. Medford City Councilman Skip Knight, liaison to the society, said Miller and the society had good intentions. "I think there was just a misunderstanding in the very beginning," he said. Meanwhile, the clock’s ticking. "Because of the contract agreement with the city and the county, that contract with the baseball group has to be set aside," said Knight. Dyal said although the society will not be managing the project any longer, the city may want to keep Miller on in an advisory capacity because of his expertise. Miller directed the renovation of Miles Field beginning in 1991. Miller said he is staying optimistic and not letting disappointment get him down. "It’s really about kids playing baseball; your feelings really shouldn’t come into play," said Miller. He said that he’s remaining hopeful that there will be baseball played at the sports park this summer. "There is that possibility," he said. He said when built, the field will be used by North and South Medford high schools, the American Legion baseball program, the Babe Ruth League and the RiverDogs. But if no field is built this summer, that means tight scheduling for the athletes. "It’ll create some issues for the baseball teams," said Miller. He said local teams would have to use fields in Ashland, Phoenix, White City and at the two high school fields. Teams may also have to play more away games. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . 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