League received a legal notice last week
(MANCHESTER, Ind.) – Board members with the Manchester Athletic Association (MAA) are seeking answers after receiving a legal notice last week.
According to the notice, the Manchester Township Board and Trustee has voted to ban MAA from using the community park for future baseball seasons.
MAA operates a T-Ball, baseball and softball league which has 205 children who participate.
The legal notice cites safety concerns as the reason for prohibiting the league from accessing the community park.
“The fact of the matter is that your organization's conduct and complicity in condoning the conduct of some individuals attending activities there -- has made the Park less safe and welcoming than it should be,” the legal notice stated.
The board members say the legal notice comes without any previous notice, and say they are unaware of any prior safety issues.
It has also sparked an uproar from the Manchester community. Here's a couple photos of signs posted in the community:
“Give us a chance to defend ourselves or explain ourselves, and if there is an issue let us correct whatever has been done,” said Manchester Athletic Association President Lauren Fox.
Fox said the non-profit league has encouraged a fun environment for kids and the focus has been on community.
“Our focus has always been on giving kids the opportunity to learn how to play ball, fall in love with the sport but do it in a fun, enjoyable way, while making new friends and core memories also,” Fox said. “We have kids that come from other communities to play here and I’ve heard that we give off Sandlot vibes, and we take pride in that!”
Fox and the MAA Board are hoping to find a resolution with the township board to continue the league.
A public meeting was held on Thursday night with approximately 130 people showing up to show their support for MAA.
The 812 reached out to the attorney of the Manchester Trustee but did not receive a call back since Monday. Fox says MAA now has legal representation as well.
I played softball in that field myself for many years ! My dad was a coach and umpire for many years ! Sounds more like a personal vendetta to me ! It’s perfectly safe , and will be such a shame for the kids to not be able to play there anymore ! Manchester is my hometown !
I have lived across the road from the Manchester ball field for 24 years. My entire family has always been involved whether as a player, coach or just a fan. I enjoy seeing all the activity there when the season starts it makes the community seem so alive. When I first got the news about MAA being banned it set off so many emotions because this would be a great loss to everyone. This is for the kids, nothing wrong or bad is going on everyone here supports one another and comes together in crisis,so watch out. We may be a small community but we do come together.
My 5 children have played MAA ball for 14 years. My daughter who is a senior at Oldenburg Academy now volunteers her time to pass her skills to the young players, helping them make friendships, understand disagreement, and of course learn a few softball skills. In addition to some coaching, she is also an umpire for the games. Our family spends the majority of our summer at the field. The summer of 2024 was no different. Had there been “The fact of the matter is that your organization's conduct and complicity in condoning the conduct of some individuals attending activities there -- has made the Park less safe and welcoming than it should be,” as the legal notice stated. Laure…