(Posted June 19, 2015)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
The London Area Baseball Council (LABC) has served area youths since 1968, but without new involvement on the board, could dissolve effective this fall.
According to board chairman Dave Mabe, he and seven other board members are stepping down after this ball season.
“We’ve all been on the board for 10 to 15 years. The majority of us no longer have children in the program. It’s time for new leadership,” Mabe said.
Those who are leaving announced their intentions at the end of last summer. The hope is, Mabe said, that other individuals will step forward to fill the spots. The response will determine whether or not LABC continues to operate. The board will make that decision at its annual officers election on Sept. 13.
Mabe said LABC is in great shape financially, has a very loyal sponsor base, and runs like a well-oiled machine.
“The organization is set up well. It just takes elbow grease. People can be plugged in and it wouldn’t skip a beat,” he said.
This season, the league is operating with a 13-member board. Come this fall, they will be down to five board members.
“We have games six nights a week. We’re at the park three to four hours a night. To spread out the workload, ideally we need 18 people—three per night,” Mabe said.
LABC board positions are open to anyone who is at least 18 years old. Terms are renewable on an annual basis. The season runs from early May to early July. Board members administer the league, which includes handling registrations, concessions and sponsorships, as well as maintaining the facility.
This year, 370 youths ages 4 to 15 are participating in the league, playing games at Burr Park on Toland Street.
Anyone interested in becoming an LABC board member can call or text Dave Mabe at (740) 604-0975.
