09/24/2026
Chatham Minor Baseball agrees with the Golden Eagles and supports the effort to keep our local ball diamonds open longer. CMBA would also like to thank Councillor Harrigan for her work and support in helping provide more opportunities for our community to enjoy our ball diamonds.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Melissa Harrigan - Ward One Candidate for her leadership and responsiveness in bringing forward a motion that asks Administration to explore the feasibility, interest, and cost of extending municipal baseball and softball field bookings beyond the current October 1 cutoff.
This conversation began when the Vice President of our association reached out to Councillor Harrigan to share a challenge that many local baseball and softball organizations face.
As it stands, municipal diamond access ends on October 1, despite the fact that weather conditions in Chatham-Kent often allow for safe and comfortable play well beyond that date. The result is that our athletes, coaches, and families are often forced to travel outside of Chatham-Kent for fall development opportunities. It also prevents local organizations from hosting clinics, training centres, and events in our own community.
Councillor Harrigan immediately engaged with the issue. She asked questions, gathered information, and listened to the experiences of local youth sport organizations. Her motion, which will be considered by Council on October 5, does not commit the municipality to any specific spending. Rather, it seeks the information needed to determine whether a pilot program or future extension of field availability could make sense for Chatham-Kent.
Our local ball organizations have a long history of success. Chatham-Kent athletes regularly compete and excel against teams from across Ontario. They do so despite having a shorter local outdoor season than many neighbouring communities.
The question is a simple one: if our facilities can be used, and if there is demand from families, players, coaches, and organizations, is there an opportunity to better support youth sport in our community?
We encourage softball and baseball families, athletes, coaches, volunteers, and supporters to share their experiences and perspectives with their local councillors before this matter comes before Council.
Contact information for all Chatham-Kent councillors can be found here:
👉 https://www.chatham-kent.ca/localgovernment/councillors/Pages/Councillors-by-Ward.aspx
Whether you support the idea, have concerns to share, or simply want Council to consider the experiences of local athletes, your voice matters.
Let's ensure Chatham-Kent's young athletes have every opportunity to learn, develop, compete, and succeed.
Let them play a little longer. 🥎
