KISD board says, "Play Ball"

Mike Lieberman, George Faber, KISD board president and Jerry Roberts, KISD superintendent, from left, hold the bat signifying the start of the Texas Collegiate Baseball franchise at Driller Park. Get out your sunscreen and that hat and glove because in June the Texas Collegiate Baseball League will be inviting you out to the old ball game at Driller Park.

In a special meeting of the Kilgore school board Tuesday, trustees voted unanimously to approve a lease between the East Texas Sports and Entertainment (ETSE) group and KISD for the lease of Driller Park.

In exchange for use of the park, the league will make at least $30,000 worth of improvements to Driller Park.

A Memorandum of Understanding was brought to the board of trustees by Revard Pfeffer, business manager for KISD. The memorandum - once finalized - will be signed as a contract by the superintendent of schools, Jerry Roberts, and by Michael Lieberman, chief operating officer for ETSE.

The lease will be for three years with an option for five more years beginning June 1 and ending at the end of August each year according to Pfeffer.

"ETSE will submit a schedule to KISD for their season and ETSE will also be allowed to schedule five more events per year at Driller Park, each of which must still be approved by the KISD board of trustees," said Pfeffer.

Roberts said he, Jody Clements, Mike Lieberman, members of the City of Kilgore, representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Gregg County commissioners have all been in conversation about the league and have all agreed to the memorandum of understanding presented to the board.

The memorandum says the league will not interfere with or impede KISD athletics, especially the KISD baseball program, according to Roberts.

The Texas Collegiate League lease will include all amenities and equipment at Driller Park, including the use of parking lots, concessions, rest rooms, press box, locker rooms, storage and field maintenance equipment said Roberts.

The league will have complete access to Driller Park during June, July and August and have reasonable access year around for tours, sales and marketing presentations, making facility improvements and the successful operations involved in running a minor league-like baseball franchise said Pfeffer.

ETSE has agreed to make a minimum of $30,000 of improvements to Driller Park over the next three years. Those improvements must also be approved by KISD.

Improvements might include a new ticket office, picnic area along the third base line and casual seating, said Pfeffer. "Also ETSE will have access to the field prior to June 1 to do work on the field as long as it does not interfere with KISD activities," said Pfeffer.

ETSE will receive all proceeds from ticket sales and concessions during this period, including income from the sale of alcohol.

Trustee Janet Marley said she was still concerned about the sale of alcohol and wanted ETSE to limit the sale of alcohol to a special section of the park.

"We want everyone's experience at the park to be a good one," said Lieberman. "But we do not want seating to be limited, people should be allowed to sit where they want. Also, season ticket holders could be affected by a special section."

Lieberman said there will be a special family section where no alcohol would be allowed and the sale and use of alcohol in the park will be monitored very closely.

Trustee Bryan Cole said he felt an amendment should be added to the memorandum if the sale of the team was proposed in the next three years. In thatevent, he suggested, whoever was buying the team would have to enter into new negotiations with KISD and Lieberman agreed to this condition.

Marley also wanted a review of the contract each year to ensure both parties were being protected and abiding by the agreement.

ETSE will be able to promote the league at Driller Park by putting up signs and banners, but none of these can be fixed permanently to the site and must be removed at the end of each season unless granted a waiver by KISD's board of trustees said Pfeffer.

Lieberman said there will be five teams in the league and 24 home games will be played at Driller Park plus playoff games, if needed. "There will be a website established for our franchise where local people can have impute for the team name, mascot and team colors," said Lieberman. "We will also have a place on the website for those interested in hosting a collegiate athlete for the summer can sign up to do so.

Lieberman is in the process of moving into an office in Kilgore for the franchise.

"This will be a hands-on league for me five to six months of each year," said Lieberman. "If any member of KISD needs to reach me about any concern I will be available seven days a week."

So if the sweet smell of summer has you hankering for the ball park, a good dog or some peanuts, then Driller Park and the Texas Collegiate League might be just your ticket.