On Tuesday, Macon-Bibb County officials could take another step toward securing a Coastal Plain League (CPL) franchise for Luther Williams Field.
There has some discussion in recent months about the summer collegiate league fielding a team at Luther Williams Field, the historic ballpark that opened in 1929. SRO Partners would own the CPL franchise, paying $50,000 to $55,000 annually as part of a 10-year lease agreement, which would begin play for the 2018 season.
Last week, a county commission committee approved a letter of intent resolution, sending it to the full Board of Commissioners this week. The board will vote on the letter of intent on Tuesday, as well a separate resolution concerning funds for ballpark upgrades. Those decisions could allow the proposal to move forward. More from The Telegraph:
Another resolution that will be voted on Tuesday would clear the way for the county to spend up to $2.5 million of special sales tax revenue for improvements to the Central City Park stadium.
Commissioners would still need to approve the parameters of the stadium upgrades before construction begins.
The goal is to have the stadium’s renovations ready by April 30, 2018. The inaugural season would start about June 1, team co-owner Steve DeLay said last week.
“That will give us a couple of weeks to get everything ready and laid out,” he told commissioners. “That’s a pretty tight timeline. We’ll be moving pretty quickly.”
The CPL would be setting up at a ballpark that has a long history of hosting baseball, including clubs in the affiliated minor leagues. The most recent affiliated to team to use Luther Williams Field was the Macon Braves (Low A; Sally League), who relocated to Rome, GA after the 2002 season.
RELATED STORIES: Plan for CPL Team in Macon Moves Forward; Luther Williams Field in the Mix for Coastal Plain League