SouthArk Stars to play at Rec Complex in first season
South Arkansas Community College will launch the first season of its new Stars’ softball and baseball teams with the El Dorado-Union County Recreation Complex as its home base.
During a regular meeting Friday, the complex board of directors and SouthArk officials sealed the deal on an agreement for the college to use the complex on Champagnolle Road.
The facility-use agreement calls for SouthArk to use fields 4 (also known as the Schoolboy Rowe field) and 8, baseball and softball fields, respectively, for practices and games.
Per the agreement, which goes into effect May 1, SouthArk will also collect gate/admission fees for its baseball and softball games and engage in marketing and promotional activities. The agreement is good until May 31, 2022.
“We really appreciate your consideration as we try to grow opportunities for the economy and for the youth in the community,” said Dr. Bentley Wallace, president of SouthArk.
Wallace was joined by Dr. Derek Moore, vice president for Student Services, and former state representative John Baine, who chairs the steering committee for the SouthArk Stars’ Booster Club.
In March, the SouthArk Board of Trustees voted to seek membership into the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association Division II.
David Lee — executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado, who manages the complex in a contract for services with the city — asked Friday if the complex fields would have to be renovated to comply with any NJCAA guidelines or regulations and Moore said no.
Per the field-use agreement, fields 4 and 8 would be designated for primary use by SouthArk. Other fields could also be used.
The implementation of marketing and promotional activities sparked some discussion, as complex board members inquired about SouthArk’s plans for such activities.
Board treasurer Stacy Scroggins said any marketing and promotional campaigns would have to coincide with an existing contract between the complex and its ad agency, the Diamond Agency.
Scroggins said SouthArk could engage in “day-of advertising” but the Diamond Agency handles long-term marketing and promo
tion strategies for the complex, including corporate and business sponsorships for signs and banners.
Greg Harrison, chairman of the complex board, said a percentage of ad revenue is turned in to the city and a percentage goes to the complex.
Harrison noted that while there is an annual agreement for sign rentals, the complex does not have an agreement for game-day promotions.
Complex board member Phillip Lansdell asked if SouthArk has any plans for banners and Wallace said such plans and other potential marketing projects could be channeled through the Diamond Agency.
Scroggins said game-day advertising, such as game programs, would not conflict with the Diamond Agency.
Wallace expressed a willingness to adhere to the contract and come up with a marketing plan that would benefit the complex, the city, SouthArk and its booster club.
Any advertising that is posted at the complex on the day of a game must be taken down the same day, Scroggins said.
He also said there could be opportunities for the complex and SouthArk to work together on projects to market and promote the facility.
“We’re definitely glad to have you guys out there, too. The more activities there are, the better,” said Scroggins. “This is definitely a two-way thing.”
In other business, the complex board agreed to waive league fees for the co-ed church softball league for the remainder of the 2021 season.
League director Bill Evans said the league started up last week and the regular season is nine weeks.
Evans and Harrison noted that league activity was shut down in 2020 because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, with Harrison adding it was the first time the church league was canceled in 30 years.
The complex was closed for just over four months between March and July last year because of COVID.
Harrison said six teams are participating in the church league this year. Complex board members and Evans said 20-plus teams typically sign up each year.
Board member Chris Nale expressed concern that similar requests could come from other leagues.
Evans said the church league’s primary focus is to boost the number of teams back to normal levels.
“Our concern is not so much (inclement weather). People have found other things to do, as far as COVID, and we’re trying to work (league participation) back up,” he said.
Also on the board’s agenda was a request for an outside food vendor for the Fastpitch America Softball Association Big Trophy Classic, a youth tournament that is set for May 22 - 23.
Lee said the vendor will sell crawfish, an item that is not on the menu of the complex’s concessionaire — the Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado.
Per a contract with the complex, the BGCE serves as the facility’s concessionaire and remits 15% of concession stand revenue to the complex.
After some discussion, board members agreed to charge a total fee of $500, which includes $250 for a cleanup deposit. The vendor has already paid the $100 rental fee for the Dumas Pavilion, Lee said.