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TPR Baseball wants artificial turf infields at Mistlin Sports Park
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In the past year, TPR Baseball brought in an estimated 70,000 visitors to the Mistlin Sports Park.
That’s according to City Administrator Kevin Werner in his report to the Ripon City Council at the Nov. 14 meeting.
Directors of one of the largest baseball tournament events in Northern California, TPR has worked closely with City of Ripon over the last few years to bring in high level of baseball and softball events to the area for weekend tournaments and weekday leagues.
The two parties entered into a five-year lease nearly two years ago that included operating all six baseball fields at Mistlin along with the concessions and batting cages.
No discussion on the report was necessary. Elected leaders did approve the amendment to the lease, extending TPR’s request on the term to 15 years, with the monthly rent based on any increases in the Consumer Price Index not to exceed 5 percent on any given year.
If the City was to cancel the lease – that’s provided that TPR is not in breach of the contract – the City could reimburse TPR for the any cost to the field improvements.
TPR, in addition, approached the City about replacing the grass infields at the two large baseball fields, proposing the all-weather synthetic turf.
“These fields are currently only able to be used for baseball games for players that are 14 years old and older. By reconstructing the infields with synthetic turf, TPR Baseball will be able to expand the field use for baseball and softball games of all age groups,” said Werner is his report.
The City would be responsible for taking care of these fields along with the installation of synthetic turf, which, in turn, would lower the cost for maintenance.
As it stands, the fields are regraded and the infield grass replaced every two to three years.
Mistlin is also available to the public – Mondays, excluding holidays, from 3 to 6 p.m. – and is host to such events as the Almond Blossom Festival, Color the Skies Balloon Festival, and Fourth of July.