HomeMy WebLinkAbout- - Major League Softball Inc RFQ - 10/4/2011JOIR'L LEAGUE SOFTBALL
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RESPONSE TO THE REQUEST FOR A STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS
June 20, 2011
Mr. Ernesto Munoz, P.E.
City of Costa Mesa
Public Services/Engineering
77 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92628-1200
RE: Cover Letter Pursuant to the TeWinkle Sports Complex SOQ
Dear Mr. Munoz:
This confirms that David R. Johnson, President of Major League Softball, Inc., a California Corporation
(hereafter "MLS") will be the contact person for all communication and correspondence related to the
SOQ process referred to as "Request for Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for the Upgrade, Operation
and Maintenance of TeWinkle Park Sports Complex at TeWinkle Park." Johnson can be contacted
directly at Extension 5 using the telephone number printed below, on a personal mobile phone at
818.355.2169 or via email at dwcv, rr 1t11ss.rflk�t111,cc}n1, Please use the mailing address printed below for all
mailed correspondence.
MLS warrants that Johnson is authorized to bind the Corporation to the terms of any Contract that might
result from this Response. Enclosed you will find a complete Response, including: Corporate Resume
and Financial Viability, Statement of Prior Experience, Proposed Operation/Improvements, and a
detailed Company History/Menu of Services document.
We believe our response is thorough. However, should you wish to meet with myself and our staff to ask
questions or receive clarifications we will be happy to attend.
We thank the City of Costa Mesa for the opportunity to provide our Qualifications for this contract. We
stand ready to cooperate with whatever the City deems necessary as the next step.
Sincerely,
David R. Johnson
President
cc: Patrick May, Vice President
Catherine Johnson, Secretary -Treasurer
MAJOR
LEAGUE
SOFTBALL,
INC,
621 E. WALNUT
AVE.,
BURBANK, CA.
91 501 (81
8) 559-8787 FAX
(818)
559-9780
Section 1.0—Corporate Resume
Major League Softball, Inc. (hereafter "MLS") was founded November 17, 1986 by current
President and C.E.O. David R. Johnson. The Corporation has operated continuously for the
subsequent 25 years. Johnson is the sole Director and is the majority shareholder of the
Corporation. MLS is not and has never been owned wholly or in part by any other business
entity.
An expanded Company History can be found starting on Page 1 of the "Menu of Services"
document attached in Section 4.0 below. Qualifications of key MLS personnel can be found in
Section 3, "Proposed Operational Options and Improvements" below.
MLS is highly qualified to provide the improvements and operational services proposed in
Section 3 below due to a long standing track record of operating adult softball and baseball
programs throughout Southern California and specifically in Orange County. The following is a
brief history of the Corporation's evolution and addresses the Corporation's years of experience
providing both equivalent and related services:
From inception, MLS provided innovative program services to municipal agencies. The
Orange County cities of Orange, Fullerton and Anaheim were MLS's first three clients
and are still clients today. These services included computerized scoring, automated game
scheduling and the design and publication of program marketing materials. Umpiring
services were soon added in the Fall of 1988.
During July 1992, MLS was awarded a contract to provide a fully privatized adult softball
program for the City of Pasadena, including the maintenance of three (3) softball fields.
This marked the birth of the "MLS Field Maintenance Division." Currently, MLS
operates 18 adult softball programs and 2 adult baseball programs for 18 Southern
California cities. These are complete turn key operations that include program marketing,
administration, officiating and field maintenance. (A list of current clients, contract types
and contact information for each is attached in Section 2.0, "Statement of Prior
Experience" below.)
During March 1996, the Field Maintenance Division was awarded contracts to maintain
ball fields for the cities of Laguna Niguel and Irvine. MLS has since added the cities of
Santa Ana, Long Beach, Yucaipa and Westminster to its list of ball field maintenance
clients.
The "MLS Construction Services Division" was formed during August of 2004 when the
Corporation was granted a Class B contractor's license by the State of California (License
Number 845268). Since 2004, the Construction Division has completed a variety of
projects for a number of cities including Huntington Beach, Pico Rivera, Riverside,
Huntington Park and Orange. MLS converted to a Class C-27 license during 2008 due to
an increased focus on athletic field renovation/construction activities. MLS was recently
awarded a contract to reconstruct the baseball field at Mona Park in Compton for the Los
Angeles Dodgers Dream Foundation and the Los Angeles County Community Services
Department. This project will commence during July 2011.
Major League Softball, Inc.—Response to the Request for Statement of Qualifications
Section 1—Resume/Financial Viability
MLS launched ,� k'S, ', rii ko 1113ii I I.;: o773 during May of 2006. Considered to be the best
website of its kind by clients and competitors alike, program participants are able to
register their teams, pay fees, pick up players and access game schedules, field conditions,
league standings and individual performance statistics via the internet. The site also
includes program marketing tools and automated accounting features. MLS's internet
capabilities enable its staff to focus on field conditions, officiating quality and
unsurpassed customer service.
MLS has never failed or refused to complete a contract regardless of whether it involved
programming, maintenance or construction services. Moreover, during its 25 year history of
providing adult sports programming services and operating programs, MLS has never failed to
retain or renew that it wished to keep.
Section 1.1—Financial Viability
Overview
MLS maintains 18 business checking accounts at the Glendale Main Branch of Bank of America
NT&SA. MLS's 2010-11 Fiscal Year revenue exceeded 2.1 million dollars (see the Accountants'
Compilation Report and the Financial Statements attached at the end of this Section) and Fiscal
2011-12 revenue is currently on pace to exceed 2.5 million dollars.
MLS's average daily balance of deposits in all accounts exceeds $500,000.00 since its current
fiscal year commenced March 1, 2011 . MLS encourages the City to corroborate these claims.
Jackie Baghdassarian is MLS's Small Business Specialist at Bank of America. Ms.
Baghdassarian can be contacted by phone at 818.823.2191, by fax at 818.823.2197 and via mail
at Bank of America, 142 East Olive Avenue, Burbank, CA 91502.
There are no existing claims or pending conditions that would impede MLS's ability to perform
the services required under a contract for the proposed scope of service. There are no pending
fines or enforcement proceedings by other cities or any other entities and MLS has never filed for
bankruptcy protection.
Participation in programs operated by MLS have increased by an average of more than 50 percent
since 2006. Moreover, MLS has posted 24 consecutive years of growth and is currently on track
to make it 25 consecutive years.
MLS warrants that it has the financial strength to bear all start up costs necessary to successfully
market and conduct the operation proposed in Section 3.0 below as well as provide the capital to
complete any facility/field improvement projects that are mutually agreed upon.
Section 1 -Page 2
Major League Softball, Inc. --Response to the Request for Statement of Qualifications
Section 1—Resume/Financial Viability
Insurances
MLS's current General and Automobile Liability coverage limits are Two Million Dollars
($2,000,000) per occurrence and Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) aggregate of General
Liability per occurrence. MLS provides Workers' Compensation insurance in compliance with
the State of California Labor Code.
Credit References
Each of the municipalities listed as "Operating Services Agreement Clients" in the Statement of
Prior Experience above allows MLS to operate their adult softball program which includes
collecting and depositing all of the "Gross Receipts" from these operations. MLS handles the
monies and pays each municipality on a quarterly basis after each season is completed (based on
contractually specified due dates). Therefore, every one of the Operating Services Agreement
Clients listed in Section 2.0 below can act as a credit reference.
Additional Credit References:
1) Scott's Screenprinting
2466 N. Glassell
Orange, CA 92865
Scott Shopshire, Owner
714.974.6810
714.974.2755 (Fax)
Scott's Screenprinting is MLS's primary supplier of screen printed garments used for awards
merchandise. On average, MLS purchases more than $35,000.00 in various garments per season
and payment terms are Net 30.
2) Baden Sports, Inc.
34114 21"Avenue South
Federal Way, WA 98003
Jeremy Schlosser, Account Representative
888.832.7448
206.856.7567
MLS is the largest retail purchaser of softballs in the State of California. MLS typically orders
180-200 dozen balls per month and is on Net 45 terms with Baden.
Section 1 -Page 3
Major League Softball, Inc.—Response to the Request for Statement of Qualifications
Section 1—Resume/Financial Viability
3) Stone Valley Materials, Inc.
P.O. Box 3679
Riverside, CA 92519
Brady Kooiman, Account Representative
951.681.7830
951.361.3370 (Fax)
Stone Valley manufactures most of the infield mix materials that MLS installs onto ball fields
throughout Southern California. MLS purchases thousands of tons of these materials per year and
payment terms are Net 30.
Section 1 -Page 4
Section 2.0—Statement of Prior Experience
It is important to note that in its 25 year history, MLS has never failed to complete a contract
term, or to have a contract renewed that it wished to extend. The name and contact information
for each reference is provided with a brief description of the specific services provided. All of the
City staff members listed below are Professional References. MLS encourages prospective clients
to contact any or all of these references for background purposes.
2.1 --List of Fully Contracted Programs (Operating Services Agreements)
Each of the clients in this Section utilize MLS's full range of services as defined in Sections II., III.,
and IV., (found on pages 7-13) of the Menu of Services Document titled "Major League Softball—
The Major League Alternative to Adult Softball Program Administration and Ball Field
Maintenance" found in Section 4.0 below. Clients are listed in order of Annual Contract Value:
1. City of Riverside
Robin Metz
Recreation Superintendent
3900 Main Street
Riverside, California 92522-0001
(951) 826-2050
Email: ISM `i"Zoi rivorsidcca_gov
Contract Inception Date: July 2001
Years of Service: 10
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $215,000.00
2011 Spring Season Team Participation: 209 (Coed, Mens and Women's)
MLS operates the City of Chino Adult Softball Program providing its full scope of program
marketing, administration, umpiring, computerized scorekeeping, customer service, web hosting and
field maintenance services. MLS operates the Riverside program four (4) seasons per year. MLS
maintains six (6) infields and performs three (3) to seven (7) treatments per week per field. Each
field has 66' base paths with skinned brickdust infields. The current League Fees charged in
Riverside under the current Operating Services Agreement are $275.00 for eight (8) game Winter
seasons and $295.00 for ten (10) game Spring, Summer and Fall seasons. Officials' Fees are $20.00
per team per game and the New Team Fee is $35.00.
Section 2 -Page 1
Major League Softball, Inc.—Response to the Request for Statement of Qualifications
Section 2—Statement of Prior Experience
City of Riverside (Riverside Adult Baseball League)
Randy Solis
Recreation Supervisor
3900 Main Street
Riverside, California 92522-0001
(951) 826-2041
Email: rpsoiis(ii_�riversideca,EQv
Contract Inception Date: July 2010
Years of Service: First Year of Operation
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $20,000.00
2011 Spring Season Team Participation: 8 (Men's Baseball)
MLS was selected via a Request for Proposals process to convert a softball field into a regulation
baseball field at Reid Park in Riverside. The conversion project included laser leveling the entire
field, installation of a new irrigation system, preparing the soil and planting a turf infield, building
a pitching mound to Major League Baseball standards and installing home run and out of play
fencing to enclose the entire field. The contract includes infield turf maintenance as well a periodic
turf renovation services for the entire field. The result is one of the finest baseball fields in the Inland
Empire and a year later it continues to be the envy of High School programs in the area.
The contract also requires MLS to operate an Adult Baseball Program. Given that no such program
existed in Riverside previously, MLS was tasked with developing one from nothing. As a result of
a multi -pronged marketing effort, the first pitch of the new Riverside Adult Baseball League
(R.A.B.L.) was thrown October 15, 2010. MLS provides its full complement of program services,
including program administration, umpiring, computerized scoring, customer service, web hosting
and awards design/manufacture. Registration Fees charged under the current Operating Services
Agreement are $750.00 for 15 game Fall -Winter Leagues and $950.00 for 20 game Spring -Summer
Leagues. Officials Fees are $85.00 per game per team which include two man mechanics and an
Official Scorer using the MLS Computerized Scoring System.
The program is now in its second season and will operate year round providing adults with another
recreational opportunity while generating additional revenue for the City. In addition, this completely
reconstructed field is shared with the Reid Park Little League program and this youth program has
now been successful with attracting State and Regional All Star tournaments to Riverside due in
large part to the baseball field at Reid Park.
Section 2 -Page 2
Major League Softball, Inc.—Response to the Request for Statement of Qualifications
Section 2—Statement of Prior Experience
2. City of Orange
Bonnie Hagan, Community Services Manager
326 East Almond Avenue
Orange, California 92866
(714) 744-7287
Email: bha gi �rr)citvoforan e.org
Contract Inception Date: September 1986
Years of Service: 25
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $167,000.00
2011 Spring Season Team Participation: 153 (Coed, Mens and the Walt Disney League)
Since the outset of its relationship with the City of Orange in 1987, MLS has provided an array of
contract services including, mailing list maintenance, program marketing, team classification, league
formation, game scheduling, umpiring, computerized scoring, and league coordination services.
When the City was ready to privatize its program in early 2001, it entered into an Operating Services
Agreement with MLS. This change added customer service, program administration, awards
desigrdmanufacture, web hosting and field maintenance services. MLS conducts the Adult Softball
Program four (4) seasons per year. MLS maintains four (4) fields with 65' base paths and skinned
decomposed granite infields. The Registration Fees charged under the current Operating Services
Agreement are $310.00 for eight (8) game Winter seasons and $345.00 for ten (10) game Spring,
Summer and Fall seasons. Officials' Fees are $20.00 per team per game and the New Team Fee is
$35.00.
3. City of Downey
Kevin Ellis
Recreation Supervisor
11111 Brookshire Ave.
Downey, CA 90241-7016
(562) 904-7128
Email: keliisLa)downcyea, w -
Contract Inception Date: January 1998
Years of Service: 13
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $149,000.00
2011 Spring Season Team Participation: 129 (Coed and Mens)
MLS operates the City of Downey Adult Softball Program providing its full scope of program
marketing, administration, umpiring, computerized scorekeeping, customer service, web hosting and
field maintenance services. MLS operates the Downey adult softball program four (4) seasons per
year. MLS maintains three (3) infields and perforins six (6) treatments per week per field. Each field
Section 2 -Page 3
Major League Softball, Inc.—Response to the Request for Statement of Qualifications
Section 2—Statement of Prior Experience
has 60' base paths with skinned brickdust infields. The Registration Fees charged under the current
Operating Services Agreement are $295.00 for eight (8) game Winter seasons and $325.00 for ten
(10) game Spring, Summer and Fall seasons. Officials' Fees are $20.00 per team per game and the
New Team Fee is $35.00.
4. City of Chino
Judy Miller
Community Services Manager
13220 Central Avenue
Chino, California 91710
(909) 464-8387
Email: jaq.iiller L,1161yofghing,org
Contract Inception Date: January 2000
Years of Service: 11
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $135,000.00
2011 Spring Season Team Participation: 114 (Coed and Mens)
MLS operates the City of Chino Adult Softball Program providing its full scope of program
marketing, administration, umpiring, computerized scorekeeping, customer service, web hosting and
field maintenance services. MLS operates the Chino program four (4) seasons per year. MLS
performs maintenance services on the four (4) fields at Ruben Ayala Community Park. MLS
performs four (4) to six (6) treatments per week per field for the Adult Softball Program and as part
of its Operating Services Agreement also performs pregame infield treatment services for the City's
facility rental/user's groups. Each field has 60' base paths with skinned brickdust infields. The
Registration Fees charged under the current Operating Services Agreement are $295.00 for eight (8)
game Winter seasons and $315.00 for ten (10) game Spring, Summer and Fall seasons. Officials'
Fees are $20.00 per team per game and the New Team Fee is $35.00.
5. City of Corona
Eileen Harter
Recreation Superintendent
400 S. Vicentia St.
Corona, CA 92882-3238
(951) 736-2246
Email: eileerr.l7arxercrrci..ecrronr.ca.r.�s
Contract Inception Date: September 2010 (Provided Umpiring/Scorekeeping Services from March
2006 -August 2010)
Years of Service: 5
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $125,000.00
2011 Spring Season Slow Pitch Team Participation: 113 (Coed, Men's and Womens')
Section 2 -Page 4
Major League Softball, Inc.—Response to the Request for Statement of Qualifications
Section 2—Statement of Prior Experience
After providing an array contract services including umpiring, computerized scoring, field
preparation and web hosting services since March of 2006, MLS prevailed in the City's Request for
Proposals process to operate the City of Corona Adult Softball Program starting with the 2010 Fall
League. MLS will now conduct the program four (4) seasons per year and has already grown the
program from 60 teams per season to over 110 within its first year of operations. MLS also
renovated the outfields and laser leveled the infields at Promenade Park using its own resources. This
field improvement project has enabled the program to access more field space and has resulted in
greater participation. MLS maintains four (4) skinned infields with 60' and 65' base paths. The
Registration Fees charged under the current Operating Services Agreement are $285.00 for eight (8)
game Winter seasons and $320.00 for ten (10) game Spring, Summer and Fall seasons. Officials'
Fees are $20.00 per team per game and the New Team Fee is $35.00.
6. City of Cerritos
Ernest Vital
Recreation Services Supervisor
Civic Center
Cerritos, CA 90703
(562) 916-8400
ernest vitalkki.cerriws,ca,rLs
Contract Inception Date: September 1993
Years of Service: 18
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $113,000.00
2011 Spring Season Team Participation: 125 (Coed and Mens)
MLS operates the City of Cerritos Adult Softball Program providing its full scope of program
marketing, administration, umpiring, computerized storekeeping, customer service, web hosting and
field maintenance services. The program is conducted three (3) seasons per year. MLS maintains four
(4) infields and performs two (2) to six (6) treatments per week per field. All of the infields in
Cerritos have 65' base paths and are Youth/Adult Softball diamonds with skinned brickdust infields.
The Registration Fees charged under the current Operating Services Agreement are $305.00 for
teams qualifying with "Residents" status and $345.00 for all others (all three (3) seasons in Cerritos
are standard ten (10) game Spring, Summer and Fall seasons). Officials' Fees are $20.00 per team
per game and the New Team Fee is $35.00.
Section 2 -Page 5
Major League Softball, Inc.—Response to the Request for Statement of Qualifications
Section 2—Statement of Prior Experience
7. City of Fullerton
Grace Lowe
Community Services Manager
801 West Valencia Avenue
Fullerton, California 92632
(714) 738-6584
Email; gird gni r� ci.fullei#o�l.c:t�.l«
Contract Inception Date: September 1987
Years of Service: 24
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $99,000.00
2011 Spring Season Team Participation: 70 (Coed and Mens)
Since the outset of its relationship with the City of Fullerton in 1987, MLS has provided an array
of contract services including, mailing list maintenance, program marketing, team classification,
league formation, game scheduling, umpiring, computerized scoring, and league coordination
services. When the City was ready to privatize its program in early 2001, it entered into an
Operating Services Agreement with MLS. This change added customer service, program
administration, awards designlmanufacture, web hosting and field maintenance services. MLS
conducts the Adult Softball Program four (4) seasons per year. MLS maintains two fields with
65' base paths and skinned decomposed granite infields. The Registration Fees charged under the
current Operating Services Agreement are $335.00 for eight (8) game Winter seasons and
$360.00 for ten (10) game Spring, Summer and Fall seasons. Officials' Fees are $20.00 per team
per game and the New Team Fee is $35.00.
8. City of Culver City
Daniel Jassim, Recreation Supervisor
4117 Overland Ave.
Culver City, California 90230
(310) 253-6672
Email: d3 niie1.iasArn EDcuIvercitv,ortr
Contract Inception Date: January 2011
Years of Service: First Year of Operation
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $95,000.00
2011 Spring Season Team Participation: 56 (Coed and Mens)
MLS prevailed in the City's Request for Proposals process during the summer of 2010 and began
to operate the City of Culver City's Adult Softball Program starting with the 2011 Winter
League. MLS will now conduct the program four (4) seasons per year and has already grown the
Section 2 -Page 6
Major League Softball, Inc.—Response to the Request for Statement of Qualifications
Section 2—Statement of Prior Experience
program to capacity within the first two seasons. MLS also renovated the infields and laser
leveled at Veterans and Syd Kronenthal Parks using its own resources prior to commencing
league play. MLS maintains two (2) skinned infields with 65' base paths. The Registration Fees
charged under the current Operating Services Agreement are $400.00 for eight (8) game Winter
seasons and $440.00 for ten (10) game Spring, Summer and Fall seasons. Officials' Fees are
$20.00 per team per game and the New Team Fee is $35.00.
9. City of Santa Barbara
Rich Hanna
Senior Recreation Supervisor
P.O. Box 1990
Santa Barbara, California 93102
(805) 897-2591
Email: rlramia c� Santal3arl araC A. o
Contract Inception Date: September 2004
Years of Service: 7
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $96,000.00
2011 Spring Season Slow Pitch Team Participation: 72 (Coed and Mens)
MLS operates the City of Chino Adult Softball Program providing its full scope of program
marketing, administration, umpiring, computerized scorekeeping, customer service, web hosting
and field maintenance services. MLS operates the program four (4) seasons per year and
registers. MLS maintains four (4) infields and performs three (3) to four (4) treatments per week
per field. Each field has 65' base paths with skinned brickdust infields. The Registration Fees
charged under the current Operating Services Agreement are $375.00 for eight (8) game Winter
seasons and $425.00 for ten (10) game Spring, Summer and Fall seasons. Officials' Fees are
$18.00 per team per game and the New Team Fee is $35.00.
Section 2 -Page 7
Major League Softball, Inc.—Response to the Request for Statement of Qualifications
Section 2—Statement of Prior Experience
10. City of Pico Rivera
Jose Rico, Deputy Director
Parks and Recreation Department
6767 Passons Blvd.
Pico Rivera, CA 90660
(562) 801-4425
Email: dcoapico-rivc.ra.org
Contract Inception Date: July 2004 (Provided Umpiring Services April 1997 -June 2004)
Years of Service: 14
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $87,000.00
2011 Spring Season Team Participation: 83 (Coed, Mens and Fast Pitch)
After providing contract umpiring services from April 1997 until July 2004, MLS was selected to
operate the City of Pico Rivera's adult softball program under an operating services agreement
beginning August 2004. MLS provides all program and field maintenance services and has
grown the program from 12 teams in 2004 to almost 80 teams currently. MLS operates the
program four (4) seasons per year. The Registration Fees charged under the current Operating
Services Agreement are $285.00 for eight (8) game Winter seasons and $300.00 for ten (10)
game Spring, Summer and Fall seasons. Officials' Fees are $20.00 per team per game and the
New Team Fee is $35.00.
11. City of Pasadena
Kenneth James
Recreation Supervisor
100 North Garfield Avenue #328
Pasadena, California 91109
(626) 794-6525
Email: kjames@cityofpasadena.net
Contract Inception Date: July 1992
Years of Service: 19
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $76,000.00
2011 Spring Season Team Participation: 85 (Coed and Mens)
MLS operates the City of Pasadena Adult Softball Program providing its full scope of program
marketing, administration, umpiring, computerized scorekeeping, customer service and field
maintenance services. The Pasadena adult softball program is conducted three (3) seasons per
year. MLS maintains three (3) infields and performs four (4) to five (5) treatments per week per
field. All three (3) infields have 65' base paths with skinned decomposed granite infields. The
current Registration Fee charged under the current Operating Services Agreement is $400.00 per
Section 2 -Page 8
Major League Softball, Inc. ---Response to the Request for Statement of Qualifications
Section 2 --Statement of Prior Experience
team for ten (10) game Spring, Summer and Fall seasons. Officials' Fees are $20.00 per team per
game and the one-time New Team Fee is $35.00.
12. City of Covina
Amy Hall-McGrade
Director of Parks and Recreation
1250 N. Hollenbeck
Covina, California 91722
(626) 858-7279
Email: a}�Mll��3cracCc t ci,enir3�,ca.us
Contract Inception Date: February 1998
Years of Service: 13
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $61,000.00
2011 Spring Season Team Participation: 47 (Coed and Mens)
MLS operates the City of Covina Adult Softball Program providing its full scope of program
marketing, administration, umpiring, computerized scorekeeping, customer service, web hosting
and field maintenance services. MLS operates the Covina program four (4) seasons per year.
MLS maintains two (2) infields and perform four (4) to five (5) treatments per week per field.
Each field has 60' base paths with skinned brickdust infields. The Registration Fees charged
under the current Operating Services Agreement are $295.00 for eight (8) game Winter seasons
and $325.00 for ten (10) game Spring, Summer and Fall seasons. Officials' Fees are $20.00 per
team per game and the New Team Fee is $35.00.
13. City of Claremont and Claremont Unified School District
Bill Palotto, Recreation Superintendent Rick Dutton, Athletic Director
1700 Danbury Road Claremont High School Athletics
Claremont, California 91711 1601 N Indian Hill Boulevard
(909) 399-5332 Claremont, California 91711
Email: r,rllcrttorci.clarmorrt.ca,us (909) 624-9053 Ext. 30415
Email: rdutton@cusd.claremont.edu
Contract Inception Date: March 2008
Years of Service: 3
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $48,000.00
2011 Spring Season Team Participation: 40 (Coed and Mens)
MLS prevailed in the City's Request for Proposals process during the winter of 2008 and began
to operate the City of Claremont's Adult Softball Program starting with the 2008 Spring League.
Section 2 -Page 9
Major League Softball, Inc.—Response to the Request for Statement of Qualifications
Section 2 --Statement of Prior Experience
MLS will now conduct the program four (4) seasons per year and has already grown the program
to capacity within the first two seasons. MLS maintains two (2) skinned infields with 65' base
paths. The Registration Fees charged under the current Operating Services Agreement are
$315.00 for eight (8) game Winter seasons and $350.00 for ten (10) game Spring, Summer and
Fall seasons. Officials' Fees are $20.00 per team per game and the New Team Fee is $35.00.
14. City of Redlands
Derek Schott, Special Programs Coordinator
P.O. Box 3005
Redlands, California 92373
(909) 798-7547
Email: dsclrott,�r�iredla�iclspolicWor
Contract Inception Date: September 2010
Years of Service: First Year of Operation
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $30,000.00
2011 Spring Season Team Participation: 28 (Coed and Mens)
This program was on the brink of being cut due to budget constraints when MLS stepped in and
revived it. At the outset, MLS renovated the two (2) fields at Clement Middle School and
stabilized the program. As the fourth season of operation is about to begin, team participation has
increased each of the first three seasons during MLS's tenure. MLS conducts the program four
(4) seasons per year. MLS maintains two (2) fields with 65' base paths and skinned decomposed
granite infields. The Registration Fees charged under the current Operating Services Agreement
are $310.00 for eight (8) game Winter seasons and $335.00 for ten (10) game Spring, Summer
and Fall seasons. Officials' Fees are $20.00 per team per game and the New Team Fee is $35.00.
15. City of Perris
Walter Carter III, Community Services Manager
101 N. "D" Street
Placentia, California 92570
(951) 657-7334
Email: %YcartcrrAp rris=g-org
Contract Inception Date: March 2007
Years of Service: 4
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $29,000.00
2011 Spring Season Team Participation: 28 (Coed and Mens)
After trying for years to develop an Adult Softball Program, MLS was selected to build a
program from nothing. Using a revolutionary marketing technique involving local youth
Section 2 -Page 10
Major League Softball, Inc.—Response to the Request for Statement of Qualifications
Section 2—Statement of Prior Experience
baseball/softball programs, MLS was able to attract 24 teams in its very first season and has
continued to fill the field space allocated for adult softball programming. MLS conducts the
Adult Softball Program four (4) seasons per year. MLS maintains two (2) fields with 65' base
paths and skinned decomposed granite infields. The Registration Fees charged under the current
Operating Services Agreement are $285.00 for eight (8) game Winter seasons and $300.00 for
ten (10) game Spring, Sununer and Fall seasons. Officials' Fees are $20.00 per team per game
and the New Team Fee is $35.00.
16. City of Placentia
Felipe Zambrano, Community Services Coordinator
401 East Chapman Avenue
Placentia, California 92870
(714) 993-8233
Email: €artrlra��o,pl�rccntia.rrrc
Contract Inception Date: January 2010
Years of Service: 1.5
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $29,000.00
2011 Spring Season Team Participation: 41 (Coed, Mens and the Walt Disney League)
MLS was selected to develop an Adult Softball Program where none existed. In its second year
of operation, MLS has filled to capacity all of the field space allocated for adult softball
programming. MLS conducts the Adult Softball Program four (4) seasons per year. MLS
maintains two (2) fields with 65' base paths and skinned decomposed granite infields. The
Registration Fees charged under the current Operating Services Agreement are $320.00 for eight
(8) game Winter seasons and $350.00 for ten (10) game Spring, Summer and Fall seasons.
Officials' Fees are $20.00 per team per game and the New Team Fee is $35.00.
17. City of San Bernardino
Mitch Assuma, Recreation Supervisor
547 North Sierra Way
San Bernardino, California 92410
(909) 384-5132
Email: asskim Yta rni(c?ci.san-bgrnaydina.ca.us
Contract Inception Date: September 2003
Years of Service: 8
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $19,000.00
2011 Spring Season Slow Pitch Team Participation: 6 (Mens)
2011 Summer Adult Baseball Team Participation: 12
Section 2 -Page 11
Major League Softball, Inc.—Response to the Request for Statement of Qualifications
Section 2—Statement of Prior Experience
MLS operates the City of San Bernardino Adult Softball and Baseball Programs providing its full
scope of program marketing, administration, umpiring, computerized scorckeeping, customer
service, web hosting and field maintenance services. MLS operates the San Bernardino adult
softball program four (4) seasons per year and the baseball program for one (1) season consisting
of 15 games each summer. MLS maintains two (2) softball infields and performs one (t) to three
(3) treatments per week per field. Each field has 65' base paths with skinned brickdust infields.
The Softball Registration Fees charged under the current Operating Services Agreement are
$285.00 for eight (8) game Winter seasons and $315.00 for ten (10) game Spring, Summer and
Fall seasons. Officials' Fees are $20.00 per team per game and the New Team Fee is $35.00.
Adult Baseball Registration Fees are $750.00 and $85.00 per team per game for two man
mechanics and an Official Scorer using the MLS Computerized Scoring Service.
18. City of Duarte
Cesar Monsalve
Recreation Supervisor
1600 E. Huntington Drive
Duarte, CA 91010
(818) 357-7931
Email: alrorrsal ccaccessdusrrte.ccrrxr
Contract Inception Date: July 1993
Years of Service: 18
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $18,000.00
2011 Spring Season Team Participation: 19 (Coed and Mens)
MLS operates the City of Duarte Adult Softball Program providing its full scope of program
marketing, administration, umpiring, computerized storekeeping, customer service, web hosting
and field maintenance services. The Pasadena adult softball program is conducted three (3)
seasons per year. MLS maintains three (3) infields and performs four (4) to five (5) treatments
per week per field. All three (3) infields have 65' base paths with skinned decomposed granite
infields. The current Registration Fees charged under the current Operating Services Agreement
are $290.00 for eight (8) game Winter seasons and $315.00 for ten (10) game Spring, Summer
and Fall seasons. Officials' Fees are $20.00 per team per game and the New Team Fee is $35.00.
Section 2 -Page 12
Major League Softball, Inc.—Response to the Request for Statement of Qualifications
Section 2—Statement of Prior Experience
2.2 MLS Field Maintenance Services Clients
The following is the list of clients that have engaged MLS for specific field maintenance
services. The services provided to each client are described below along with the approximate
annual value of each contract. Clients are listed in order of Annual Contract Value:
1. City of Santa Ana
Mike Lopez
Parks Superintendent
P.O. Box 1988
Santa Ana, California 92866
(714) 231-6112
mlopez5@santa-ana.org
Contract Inception Date: July 2007
Years of Service: 4
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $180,000.00
MLS services 22 infields performing one (1) to five (5) treatments per week per field. In the
Districts service by MLS, there are 20 multi -use, soft balUbaseball diamonds with 60-90' base
paths and skinned infields and 2 baseball fields with turf infields. Additional services include
batter's box and pitching mound maintenance, laser leveling and infield mix installation, as well
as field fixture removal and replacement. MLS provides mowing and turf renovation services for
the infields with turf.
2. City of Orange
Dana Robertson
Parks Maintenance Superintendent
300 East Chapman Avenue
Orange, California 92866
(714) 744-7272
Email: drobeawnQi cit oforango"
Contract Inception Date: March 2010
Years of Service: 1
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $72,000.00
MLS prevailed in a Request for Bids process to provide various turf renovation, laser leveling
and field improvement services for all 18 fields throughout the City. Services include turf
aeration, verti-cutting and fertilization as well as turf border renovations, laser leveling and
infield mix procurement.
Section 2 -Page 13
Major League Softball, Inc.—Response to the Request for Statement of Qualifications
Section 2—Statement of Prior Experience
3. City of Laguna Niguel
John Banks
Recreation Supervisor
29761 Crown Valley Parkway
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(714) 362-4350
Email: ibanksci,l.3 a la-C�1Kxel.ca.as
Contract Inception Date: March 1996
Years of Service: 15
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $60,000.00
MLS provides an infield brickdust maintenance program for the City of Laguna Niguel. MLS
maintains 19 infields and performs no fewer than two (2) treatments per week per field. The
fields range from skinned Little League diamonds with 60' base paths to infields with synthetic
turfs. Two (2) infields are regulation baseball sized with skinned brickdust infields.
4. City of Long Beach
Jeff Grant
Adult Sports Supervisor
10" Street
Long Beach, California 92866
(562) 570-1737
Contract Inception Date: January 2006
Years of Service: 5.5
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $50,000.00
MLS provides a complete infield maintenance program for the City of Long Beach. MLS
services seven (7) infields performing one (1) to seven (7) treatments per week per field. All the
Long Beach fields are multi -use, softball/youth baseball diamonds with 60-90' base paths and
skinned infields. Additional services include perimeter border maintenance, deep scarification
and leveling as well as field fixture removal and replacement.
Section 2 -Page 14
Major League Softball, Inc.—Response to the Request for Statement of Qualifications
Section 2—Statement of Prior Experience
5. St. Anthony High School
Brian Walsh
Assistant Principal/Head Football Coach
620 Olive Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 435-4496 xt. 1232
b r ian.wal slrLJ)i,0nabeachsai nts. org
Contract Inception Date: April 2010
Years of Service: 1
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $12,500,00
MLS provides a complete landscape maintenance service for the St. Anthony's campus and
athletic fields. This includes a regulation football/soccer field, a regulation baseball field and a
practice infield for baseball. Services include turf mowing, turf fertilization and renovation as
well as edging and weeding. Service frequency is once per week with annual renovations.
6. City of Yucaipa
Todd Gutjhar
Community Services Supervisor
34272 Yucaipa Blvd.
Yucaipa, California 92885
(909) 790-7460 Ext. 30
t;�i �l � rilrr�r.;�r�cnil�t�,�srg
Contract Inception Date: January 2010
Years of Service: 1.5
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $8,000.00
MLS provides infield services performing two (2) to four (4) treatments per week per field. All
Yucaipa fields are multi -use, softball/youth baseball diamonds with 65' base paths and skinned
infields. Additional services include batter's box and mound maintenance, perimeter border
maintenance as well as field fixture removal and replacement.
Section 2 -Page 15
Major League Softball, Inc.—Response to the Request for Statement of Qualifications
Section 2—Statement of Prior Experience
2.3 List of Contract Service Clients
The following is the list of clients that have engaged MLS for selected program services. The
services provided to each client are described below along with the approximate annual value of
each contract. Clients are listed in order of Annual Contract Value:
1. City of Anaheim
Michael Brandt
Recreation Services Specialist - Adult Sports
200 South Anaheim Boulevard
Anaheim, California 92805
(714) 254-5290
Email: iiibrandtrr.atrahchr.net
Contract Inception Date: March 1989
Years of Service: 22
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $89,000.00
MLS has provided an array of contract services including, mailing list maintenance, tournament
marketing, team classification, league formation, game scheduling, umpiring, computerized
scoring, and league and tournament coordination services. Currently, MLS provides a contract
umpiring service with program coordination via a dedicated Crew Chief. The City of Anaheim
Adult Softball Program is conducted four (4) seasons per year and serves 90-150 teams per
season.
2. City of Yucaipa
Todd Gutjhar
Community Services Supervisor
34272 Yucaipa Blvd.
Yucaipa, California 92885
(909) 790-7460 Ext. 30
��tir� alr r �cuc ai ��a.or�
Contract Inception Date: May 2007
Years of Service: 4
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $23,000.00
MLS provides contract assigning/umpiring service to the adult slow pitch program. MLS also
provides a roving "Crew Chief' who visits each field every day the program operates. The City
of Yucaipa's Adult Softball Program is conducted three (3) seasons per year and serves 50-60
Men's, Coed and Women's slow pitch teams per season.
Section 2 -Page 16
Major League Softball, Inc.—Response to the Request for Statement of Qualifications
Section 2—Statement of Prior Experience
3. City of Long Beach
Jeff Grant, Adult Sports Supervisor
4700 Deukmejian Drive
Long Beach, CA 90804
(562) 570-8921
Email: igffirey' rant lon bcacl�.
Contract Inception Date: August 1995
Years of Service: 16
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $16,000.00
MLS provides contract assigning/umpiring service to the adult slow pitch program. MLS also
provides a roving "Crew Chief' who visits each field every day the program operates. The City
of Long Beach Adult Softball Program is conducted three (3) seasons per year and serves
150-175 Men's, Coed and Women's slow pitch teams per season,
4. City of Yorba Linda
Rob Cavanagh
Recreation Supervisor
P.O. Box 87014
Yorba Linda, California 92885
(714) 895-5860 ext. 567
Email: stacvrci,eves#�rvnster,c<t.�s
Contract Inception Date: September 2005
Years of Service: 6
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $10,000.00
MLS provides an array of contract services including contract assigninglumpiring, computerized
scoring, web hosting and field preparation services. The City of Yorba Linda Adult Softball
Program is conducted four (4) seasons per year and serves 30-36 teams per season.
Section 2 -Page 17
Major League Softball, Inc.—Response to the Request for Statement of Qualifications
Section 2—Statement of Prior Experience
5. City of Buena Park
Dale Kurata
Recreation Supervisor
8150 Knott Avenue
Buena Park, CA 90620-3159
(714) 562-3854
Email: dkurata@buenapark.com
Contract Inception Date: January 2000
Years of Service: 11
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $8,000.00
MLS provides a contract assigning/umpiring service to the Adult Slow Pitch Program. The City
of Buena Park Adult Softball Program is conducted three (3) seasons per year and serves 48-60
teams per season.
6. City of Westminster
Stacy Yoshida
Sports Coordinator
8200 Westminster Boulevard
Westminster, California 92683
(714) 895-5860 ext. 567
Email: ,tacyy vci.wc iw inster,ea.us
Contract Inception Date: April 1992
Years of Service: 19
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $5,000.00
MLS provides an array of contract services including, umpiring, computerized scoring, web
hosting and field preparation services. The City of Westminster Adult Softball Program is
conducted three (3) seasons per year and serves 6-8 teams per season.
Section 2 -Page 18
Major League Softball, Inc.—Response to the Request for Statement of Qualifications
Section 2—Statement of Prior Experience
7. City of Los Alamitos
Ron Noda
Recreation Supervisor
10911 Oak Street
Los Alamitos, CA 90720-2315
(562) 430-1073, Ext. 520
Email; 3r�sr��i_lc-r�la�i�itos.ca.ris
Contract Inception Date: January 2000
Years of Service: 11
Approximate Annual Contract Value: $4,000.00
MLS was selected to provide contract assigning/umpiring service for the Adult Slow Pitch
Program. The City of Los Alamitos Adult Softball Program is conducted three (3) seasons per
year and serves 24-36 teams per season.
Section 2 -Page 19
Section 3.0—Proposed Operation/Improvements
Proposed Staffing and Project Organization
MLS provides complete League Administration Services for 18 municipalities via its Program
Services Division (hereafter "PSD"). The PSD employs six (6) full time people that comprise the
"Administrative Staff' (hereafter "AS"). The AS are stationed at two (2) area offices, which are
MLS's Corporate Headquarters located in Burbank, California and the Orange County/Inland
Empire Area Office located at 371 E. River Avenue, Orange, California 92866.
The PSD provides program marketing services via direct mail, email and the internet, conducts
seasonal team registration, and handles all customer service duties. AS answer telephone calls
and respond to all participant and interest inquires both telephonic and electronic, draft and
distribute game schedules, design and manufacture awards merchandise and post everything from
game schedules to field conditions to game scores to performance statistics onto its website at
www-misoftball.com. And, MLS performs all of these services for more than 200 leagues
consisting of over 1,300 teams per season, four (4) seasons per year.
MLS's AS also assign and evaluate the performance of more than 180 Umpiring and 100
Scorekeeping Officials on an ongoing basis (a copy of MLS's roster of scorekeeping and/or
umpiring officials is proprietary and will be provided upon request). MLS is authorized by the
Southern California Municipal Athletic Foundation (SCMAF) to conduct umpire training clinics
and to certify umpires. MLS tas certified more umpires than any other certifying agency for the
past eight (8) years running (Umpires certified by MLS can be viewed on the "Officials page" at
�vu+,semal vr). The C.E.O. and Director of Umpiring Operations are invited to attend the
annual meeting of SCMAF's Rules Committee and participate in drafting and approving new
adult softball rules each year.
MLS recently developed and implemented a proprietary internet program known as the MLS
Online Umpiring System (OUS). The OUS includes an objective Performance Evaluation
Methodology and Tracking System to improve officiating performances and quality assurance.
The MLS Field Maintenance Division (hereafter "FMD") utilizes the services of twelve (12)
Infield Prep Providers and is managed by Patrick May, a full time Director of Field Maintenance
Operations. The FMD currently provides ball field maintenance services to the same 18
municipalities served by the PSD along with another 6 municipalities where the scope of
maintenance services is more comprehensive.
Every Infield Prep Provider possesses a John Deere 1200A Ball Field Conditioner that is
outfitted with specialized infield grooming implements. They carry all of the necessary hand
tools such as rakes, shovels, hoses, quick coupler keys, chalk boxes, etc. MLS owns state of the
art Laser Leveling equipment as well as turf renovation equipment, power washers, etc.
Major League Softball, Inc.—Response to the Request for Statement of Qualifications
Section 3—Proposed Operation/lmprovements
MLS will service the City of Costa Mesa Adult Softball Program at TeWinkle Sports Complex
from its Orange County/Inland Empire Area Office utilizing its roster of Orange County Umpires
and Scorekeepers. The key to MLS's league operations is a dedicated League Director. The
following Administrative Staff are designated as "key personnel" for this contract:
• Dave Johnson, President and "Project Manager" for this Operation
Johnson possesses 25 years experience administering adult softballlbaseball programs, training
League Directors, Umpires, Scorekeepers and Prep Providers. Johnson also has 20 years
experience owning and operating a commercial batting cage as well as a small food and beverage
concession. In addition, Johnson heads the Corporation's Construction Division which has built
similar structures. Johnson will personally participate in all meetings and will correspond directly
with the City's designees or contract monitors.
• Patrick May, Vice President and Director of Field Maintenance Operations
May has been with MLS for six (6) years and has served in his current capacity for the last five
(5) years. May has 15 years experience with landscape maintenance and as a Golf Course
Superintendent at Edwards Air Force Base. May will oversee all field preparation, turf and
facility maintenance/repair and will be responsible for maintaining tools and equipment.
• Bobby Snarey, Programs Manager
Snarey possesses 15 years experience with MLS as an Umpire, Scorekeeper and League Director.
Snarey has held his current post for the past two (2) years. Snarey shall be responsible for
interacting with Costa Mesa adult softball program participants for all customer service inquiries
and shall classify teams and form leagues. Snarey will conduct all preseason managers' meetings
and will become familiar with each team and team manager to provide unsurpassed customer
service. Snarey and his Customer Service Specialist work to ensure phone calls are answered live
and email messages are immediately returned.
• Russell Paige, Director of Officiating Operations
Paige possesses 12 years experience with MLS as an Umpire, Scorekeeper, Prep Provider and
Customer Service Specialist. Paige has been at his current position for the past two (2) years.
Paige is responsible for Certifying each Umpire and Scorekeeper that provides officiating
services in the Orange County Area. Paige and his crew of Evaluators constantly perform
objective 50 pitch Evaluations that are posted online and result in a Leader Board via the MLS
Online Umpiring System. Surveys of program participants during the past year reflected that this
system has significantly improved officiating performances in every program served by MLS.
Section 3 -Page 2
Major League Softball, Inc. ---Response to the Request for Statement of Qualifications
Section 3 ---Proposed Operationllmprovements
• Shannon Beardsley, Director of Assigning Operations
Beardsley possesses 15 years experience with MLS as a Scorekeeper, League Director, Data
Processing Specialist and Web Hosting Director. She has been at her current post for two (2)
years and is responsible for the assignment of Umpiring and Scorekeeping Officials to games in
Orange County. Beardsley monitors game schedules and communicates with officials on a daily
basis to ensure that each shift is covered.
• Eileen Randall, Data Processing Director
Randall possesses 14 years experience with MLS as a Scorekeeper, League Director and has been
at her current full time position as Data Processing Director for 10 years. Randall will be
responsible for processing statistical data as well as tracking and filing all pertinent Costa Mesa
paperwork such as Hold Harmless Agreements, Accident Reports, Incident Reports, etc.
• Craig Sherwood, Web Hosting Director
Sherwood has been with MLS for the past two years. Sherwood will be responsible for the daily
updating of the Costa Mesa section of the website such as game scores, original and revised
game schedules, field conditions, and seasonal registration information.
• Dedicated Costa Mesa League Director
If selected to operate the facility, MLS will select an experienced individual from its roster of
Officiating Contractors to be the dedicated Costa Mesa League Director. The backbone of every
MLS operation, the League Director shall be present at the facility each day/evening that the
Adult Softball and Baseball programs operate. The League Director ensures that all game
officials are on time, in uniform and provide outstanding service to the program participants. As
a Certified Umpire and Scorer, the League Director can step in if there is an emergency such as
an injury or a late arriving official and is always present to answer questions and address
concerns. The League Director is what sets programs administered by MLS apart from all others
in the industry.
MLS warrants that it will immediately communicate any change to the aforementioned "key
personnel" to the appropriate City of Costa Mesa liaison staff member.
Work Plan
This proposal consists of five major operational components at TeWinkle Sports Complex:
1) Year Round Adult Softball and Baseball Programs;
2) Weekend Field Licensing for Youth/Adult Tournament and Travel Ball Events;
3) Food and Beverage Concession;
4) Ball Field, Landscape and Facility Maintenance Services;
5) Field/Facility Improvements;
Section 3 -Page 3
Major League Softball, Inc.—Response to the Request for Statement of Qualifications
Section 3—Proposed Operation/Improvements
It is critical to understand that the number of adult teams/participants will be directly impacted by
the amount of time that is allocated for adult play. For example, if youth groups must be
permitted use of field space in the late afternoons prior to adult play, this will impact the number
of hours that will be available for adult league play and thus the potential revenue generated from
Registration Fees and Concession Sales.
Currently, most Sports Complex operations begin adult games at 6:00 p.m, and schedule four (4)
to five (5) games per field per evening. This enables an operator to accept 8-10 teams per field
per day which improves the financial perspective significantly over the City's status quo three (3)
game, 6-7 teams per field format. However, the four (4) to five (5) game format also means that
the facility will be operating with lights on and the commensurate noise and traffic in the area
until after 11:00 p.m. which might not be tolerated by nearby residents and the community as a
whole.
The City currently programs three (3) games per weeknight evening with the first game starting
at 6:30 p.m. and the last game scheduled at 8:50 p.m. It clear that the intent of the current format
is have the lights off at or close to 10:00 p.m. If the City's goals and objectives for TeWinkle
Sports Complex include providing field use to local youth groups on weekdays, then an operator
must know the specifics of that use in order to accurately project income,
MLS warrants that it will provide adult softball and baseball programs of the highest caliber and
that it will attract enough participation to maximize the use of the facility. This utilization will
definitely recover all of the utility costs such as water and electricity (assuming these utilities are
on separate meters for the Sports Complex) as well as the costs to maintain the trees, shrubs, turf,
hardscape and structures inside the perimeter of the Sports Complex as well as the parking lot on
Arlington Drive.
MLS typically retains a mutually agreed upon sum for each team that participates in Adult
Softball and Baseball Programs. These sums range from 65-80 percent depending on a number of
factors that relate to field space allocations, program features provided and the level of
maintenance program involved. Once these important questions are answered, MLS could then
provide a specific revenue proposal that will generate revenue for the City in excess of the
maintenance and utility costs.
Year Round Adult Baseball and Softball Program Operations
MLS will provide all of the programming services as described in Sections 11.-IlL., of the
attached Menu of Services titled "Major League Softball The Major League Alternative to
Adult Softball/Baseball Program Administration and Ball Field Maintenance". MLS proposes to
provide league and tournament marketing services, program administration and coordination,
officiating services including the MLS computerized scoring system as well as individual awards
for I` -Place and 2nd -Place teams for both programs. MLS will also provide its Standard Ball
Section 3 -Page 4
Major League Softball, Inc.—Response to the Request for Statement of Qualifications
Section 3—Proposed Operation/Improvements
Diamond Maintenance System (SBDMS) as described in Section IV for both programs as well as
the Facility/Landscape Maintenance Program described below.
The Costa Mesa Adult Softball Program will be placed online and
participants will be able to register their teams, make payments, pick up players, view their game
schedules and access League Standings, Individual Statistics and League Leader lists.
MLS proposes to operate the Adult Softball Program four (4) seasons per year. MLS will
implement its proven seasonal format with "Winter Leagues" consisting of eight (8) games plus
playoffs and Spring, Summer and Fall Leagues consisting of ten (10) games plus playoffs. Each
season will continence as follows: Winter will begin during January, Spring will begin during
March, Summer will begin during June and Fall will commence during September each year.
MLS proposes to operate a state-of-the-art Adult Baseball League Program two (2) seasons per
year on Sunday only. The Costa Mesa Adult Baseball League (C.M.A.B.L.) will be positioned
online along with MLS's other adult baseball programs sponsored by
the cities of San Bernardino and Riverside. The program would receive all of the online
registration and content access benefits that exist at www.misoftball.com. The Registration Fees
charged and the City's "Royalty" would be determined by mutual agreement.
Teams would be charged Team Registration Fees based on a twenty (20) game Spring/Summer
League and a fifteen (15) game FalUWinter League. Team Registration Fees would not include
Officials' Fees which would include two man mechanics and an Official Scorer using the MLS
Computerized Scoring System. The Official Scorer would also perform "between game" field
maintenance services such as watering, raking/compacting the mound and home plate areas as
well as re -chalking lines.
Youth/Adult Tournament/Travel Ball Field Licensing
MLS will invite youth fast pitch softball and baseball organizations such as U.S.S.S.A. and
A.S.A. as well as various travel/club programs to book weekend tournament/travel ball events at
TeWinkle Park on a "Field Licensing" basis.
Field Licensing shall take place on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. and on Sundays
from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The specific fields and the number of weekends licensed is a
sensitive community issue that must be determined by mutual agreement between MLS and the
City.
MLS will provide a "Facility Attendant" during all Field Licensing events. MLS will ensure that
all groups provide proper insurance (including "participants' coverage) to indemnify both entities
during such uses and events.
Section 3 -Page 5
Major League Softball, Inc. --Response to the Request for Statement of Qualifications
Section 3—Proposed Operation/Improvements
Field Licensing and Field Preparation Fees should also be established by mutual agreement
between the City and MLS. MLS believes these fees must be competitive with those charged by
surrounding facilities and agencies such as the cities of Irvine and Huntington Beach.
Food and Beverage Concession
MLS warrants that it possesses the necessary financial resources and expertise to obtain all
necessary licensing and specialized equipment, utensils and inventory such that a full scale
concession operation, including the sale of Beer and Wine or Liquor is provided at TeWinkle
Sports Complex. MLS will reserve the right to sub -contract the Food and Beverage Concession
to a City approved concessionaire who has a rich background in the food and beverage industry.
Without question, a concession that vends alcoholic beverages will greatly enhance the revenue
generated at this facility. However, the presence of alcohol will also significantly change the way
in which the operation is staffed and managed.
First, all access points will need to be gated and controlled. Second, there will need to be security
personnel at entrances and exits to ensure that visitors do not bring food and beverages into the
facility (except water) and that no alcohol is taken outside the Sports Complex, There will need
to be Custodial staff on duty during the hours of operation to keep up with the trash and the
restroom stocking/cleaning.
Finally, until it is determined that the community will be positively disposed to a food and
beverage concession at TeWinkle Sports Park (which includes alcoholic beverages) and the days
and hours of operation of the concession are specified, it would be difficult to provide
meaningful financial projections. MLS believes that while a revenue sharing system should be
used for all sports programming and field licensing activities, a fixed monthly fee could be
established for the Food and Beverage Concession based upon the type of alcoholic beverage
license allowed and the days and hours of operation.
Section 3 -Page 6
Major League Softball, Inc.—Response to the Request for Statement of Qualifications
Section 3—Proposed Operation/Improvements
Ball Field, Landscape and Facility Maintenance Services
MLS is a State Licensed Landscape Contractor (Class C-27, 845268) that understands the value
and importance of properly maintained fields. MLS has the equipment and manpower to provide
a complete field/landscape maintenance regimen at TeWinkle Park. MLS proposes to maintain
al l of the turf, traction areas and irrigation systems inside the Sports Complex. The scope of
services and the frequencies to be provided are as follows:
Winter Spring Summer Fall
FIELDILANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE COMPONENTS: Frequencies Frequencies Frequencies Frequencies Totals
Number of Fields Maintained
Mowing Events (Baseball Infield & 4 Outfields)
Edging/Hoeing Events (All Turf/Traction Borders)
Water blasting Events (All TurffFraction Borders)
Fertilization Treatments (All Turf)
Weed Spraying Treatments (Traction Areas)
Weed Spraying Treatments (All Turf)
Turf Aeration Treatments
ScalplDe-thatch Treatments
Turf Over -seed inglTop Dressing Treatments
Pest Control Treatments
Line Painting Treatments
Laser Leveling Events (All Traction Areas)
Sprinkler System Checks & Maintenance/Repair
MLS possesses walk -behind greens mowers for mowing the baseball infield, a John Deere Tri-
plex and a Jacobson Fairway mower to mow the outfields, a Skagg mower and specialized
equipment for high end turf maintenance. This equipment includes an aerator, top -dressing
machine, de -thatcher, slit seeder, fertilizer spreader, and multiple lasers, receivers, 3 point
grading systems and John Deere and Kubota tractors to pull all of these machines.
MLS Vice President and Director of Maintenance and Construction Operations, Patrick May,
will develop a complete agronomics plan for TeWinkle Park and will obtain approval from the
City's Parks Maintenance Management prior to its implementation. MLS warrants that its
agronomics plan will render playing surfaces that are safe, aesthetically pleasing and recover
more quickly after rain.
MLS shall provide dedicated staff to perform daily custodial tasks such as trash pick up,
restroom cleaning/stocking and hardscape cleaning. All areas where hardscape borders turf shall
be edged weekly with a gas powered edger and all grass clippings will be properly disposed.
MLS will perform al l tree trimming services inside the perimeter of the Sports Complex and in
the Parking Lot on Arlington Drive.
Section 3 -Page 7
Major League Softball, Inc.—Response to the Request for Statement of Qualifications
Section 3—Proposed Operation/Improvements
Field/Facility Improvement Services
In addition to any upgrades needed to provide a high quality Food and Beverage Concession as
described above, MLS will perform the following improvement services to enhance the fields
and the facility:
The infield watering system on each field will be reconfigured such that there will be
three (3) valves per field to provide much better control of the water. Traction areas will
be watered multiple times each day for improved surface texture and superior playability.
The perimeter edges on the three (3) softball fields will be expanded to 70 feet from the
50' pitching rubbers and the sprinkler heads will be moved accordingly. This will make
the fields playable for Youth Travel/Tournament play up to the 12 and under level
because the fields will accommodate 70' base paths. This will be a critical factor for
weekend revenue generation.
The turf borders on each field will be renovated to provide smooth transitions from
traction to turf and eliminate the berms. Areas where the turf is worn shall be removed
and the soil will be prepared and new sod planted.
Additional seating will be installed around the Concession Building to accommodate the
Concession operation.
Implementation Schedule
MLS will provide specific revenue sharing and monthly lease payment information within three
(3) working days once the questions posed above regarding hours of operation, youth -adult field
allocation time, program/field licensing fees and the Food and Beverage Concession are
answered. If awarded a contract, MLS has the financial resources to immediately commence with
the proposed field/facility improvements and begin the license procurement process(es).
While the facility/field improvement projects are underway, the MLS Program Services Division
could begin the marketing campaigns for the Adult Softball, Baseball and Weekend Field
Licensing programs. MLS prefers a five (5) to six (6) week marketing period for each season. We
believe one of the most salient benefits of this proposal is that it will not be necessary to shut the
facility down or lose any programming continuity.
In summary, the community will see noticeable improvements on the ball fields, there will be
increased usage via a sold out adult softball program and a new adult baseball program. There
will be increased weekend activity due to the field improvements and an aggressive approach to
drawing avid "Travel/Club" youth play.
Section 3 -Page 8
MAJOR LEAGUE SOFTBALL
"THE MAJOR LEAGUE ALTERNATIVE TO ADULT SOFTBALL
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION AND BALL FIELD
MAINTENANCE"
Menu of Services Currently Available
David R. Johnson, President
Major League Softball, Inc.
Corporate Headquarters:
621 East Walnut Avenue
Burbank, California 91501
(818) 559-8787, ext 5
(818) 559-9780 Fax
dj-mis@pacbell.net E-mail
Section r: A Brief Background ............................... 1
Experience Makes The (Soft)ball Starts Rolling ...................... 2
the Difference The Good Word Spreads .......................... 2
State -of -the -Art Improvements ................ 2
The Survey Says ............................ 2
Keeping Ahead of the Game .................. 3
League Directors ........................... 3
LDs: The Missing Links ..................... 3
R & D; Recruitment and Development .......... 4
Area Administrative Directors ................ 4
Drill the Umpires(s) ........................ 4
One More Giant Step ........................ 5
The Tractor Factor .......................... 5
A Major Test for Major League Softball ........ 5
The Ultimate Challenge ..................... 6
Instant Success ............................ 6
Conclusion........................................ 7
Section II: Design and Publication of all Adult Softball
Description of Program Forms and Related Documents ........... 7
Preseason Mailing List Processing/Maintenance
Marketing Services and Bulk Mail Handling .' .................... 7
Press Releases, Public Relations and
Program Marketing ......................... 8
Team Registration Process ................... 8
Team Classification and League
Formation Services ......................... 8
Game Scheduling Services ................... 9
Preseason Managers' Meeting ................. 9
Section III, League Coordination Services ................ 9
Desc.r ipfioii of Official Scorers and the MLS Computerized
lo- easolr servievs Scoring System ........................... 10
MLS Umpiring Services .................... 11
Game Materials ........................... 13
Awards Design, Procurement & Distribution .... 13
Section I: Standard Ball Diamond Maintenance System ... 14
Description of Periodic Field Repair Services ................... 15
Field Maintenance Infield Treatment Program .................. 16
Set -vices
Section V: Standard Financial Structures & Terms ........ 17
Se iton I: Standard Insurance Coverages, Indemnity and
Fiduciary Responsibilities ................... 18
Section VII: Professional References .................... 20
MAJOR LEAGUE SOFTBALL
I. EXPERIENCE MAKES
THE DIFFERENCE
Major League Softball, Inc. (MLS), has assembled a
management team of educated and experienced
business, marketing and maintenance professionals
who all share one love: Softball. Our boundless
passion and respect for this game continually
motivates us to provide softball programs that offer
the best customer service, innovation, and value. After
fourteen years of evolution and growth, Major League
Softball remains devoted to two very important goats:
constantly improving the quality of every one of our
programs and continually increasing the enjoyment
level of every softball player in these programs.
A Brief Background
Like many successful enterprises, MLS hails from
humble beginnings. During the summer of 1986,
armed with a single computer system, a personally
developed software package and a fervent desire to
help organized softball fulfill its enormous potential,
MLS founder and president Dave Johnson presented
City of Orange recreation manager Rich Kollen with a
proposal to provide his city's softball program with a
first -of -its -kind computerized scoring service.
A former president of the Southern California
Municipal Athletic Federation (SCMAF), Kotlen saw
a great deal of promise in Johnson's computerized
concept, but he believed it lacked certain ingredients
necessary to ensure a successful program, specifically
Kollen cited the need for certain practical services,
including the recruitment, training and supervision of
scorekeeping personnel; and various administrative
and marketing duties ranging from mailing list
maintenance to game scheduling.
Undaunted, Johnson quickly developed a recruiting
and training program that prepared a 15 -person crew
to accurately input the results of every play every
evening at six fields (the number of fields utilized by
the City of Orange). In addition to providing a trained
scorer for each field, Johnson also created the
supervisory position of Community Director (CD), an
on-site league coordinator who managed the
day-to-day operation of the program.
Johnson selected a Community Director who was a
certified scorekeeper and outfitted him with a
telecommunications pager so that no problem or
situation would ever be left unattended. The CD's
duties also included ensuring that equipment and
supplies were available to scorekeeping staff and that
high standards of service were maintained by scorers,
umpiring officials, and field maintenance personnel. A
much-needed innovation, the Community Director
would soon become the backbone of every softball
program served by MLS.
Impressed, City of Orange Recreation Manager Kollen
gave Major League Softball its first job in 1987:
managing the City of Orange's softball program. And
when play began in the spring of that year, the softball
players quickly noticed the improvements wrought by
MLS. As they came to bat, players smiled as their
names were announced; and there was a great deal of
intrigue at the end of each half -inning when a dot
matrix printer was heard recording the previous
inning's results.
Reaction to Major League Softhall's instantaneous
statistical reports, weekly newsletter and other
innovations was immediate and virtually
unanimous—and in that spring season of 1987, Major
League Softball, Inc., had indeed become a reality.
THE MAJOR LEAGUE ALTERNATIVE
The (Soft)ball Starts Rolling
Word spread quickly. and later in that year, MLS was
asked to join the City of Fuller -ton's softball
administrative team. As he had done for the City of
Orange, Johnson created: custom game scheduling
software, a proprietary mailing list data base, an
automated team classification system, and
state-of-the-art graphics capabilities to design and
publish program marketing materials. Not only did
these enhancements provide the City of Fullerton with
a much -improved program, but MLS used them to
supply future clients with a comprehensive solution to
marketing and administering their softball programs.
Pleased with Major League Softball's administrative
capabilities, the City of Fullerton asked MLS in 1988
to manage another aspect of its program: supervision
of umpiring assignments. MLS president Johnson
responded by creating the position Director of
Umpiring Operations, and then set about creating and
implementing the MLS Umpire Training Program that
is currently endorsed by SCMAF.
The Good Word Spreads
In 1989, the City of Anaheim joined the list of
agencies using the full spectrum of MLS's contract
services. And in every situation, the entity using
Major League Softball's services enjoyed substantial
increases in team registration and revenue soon after
entering into a contractual relationship with MLS.
Moreover, with the added marketing and
administrative assistance provided by MLS, every
agency's program was expanded to include a fourth,
or "Winter," season—and as a result, team
registrations and resulting revenues reached new
plateaus.
State -of -the -Art Improvements
To successfully service a substantially larger number
of clients, teams and responsibilities, MLS continued
to develop new ideas and services. For example,
24-hour telephone "hotlines" providing scores and
field conditions were originated; and a uniform "team
acceptance policy' was instituted to deal with an
ever-growing problem—greater demand than
available field space. And, MLS proved that with the
use of computing it could form more competitive
leagues. Specifically, after comparing scores from
over 20,000 softball games between 1988 and 1990,
MLS devised an automated Team Classification
System—a method able to effect a reduction of the
average run differential between each game's winner
and loser by more than 40 percent!
The Survey Says ...
As one might imagine, Major League Softball, Inc.,
learned a great deal from administering several
different programs on a year-round basis—including
the fact that each softball program has its own unique
characteristics and personality. Thus, the practice of
surveying team managers prior to initiating service
became an invaluable tool.
Incisive questionnaires were developed and
distributed to returning participants to ensure that the
most popular rules and features of individual leagues
were preserved. MLS management was quick to
discover that a successful program is much more
predictable when its participants' input is actively
solicited.
MAJOR LEAG 1)
Keeping Ahead of the Game
As early as 1988, Major League Softball's rapid
growth brought about some difficult decisions.
Several opportunities to expand the business into new
geographic areas were intentionally passed up because
of MLS's desire to maintain high standards of quality
and service --even if it meant turning down additional
income.
L, ' , ' _ 4 _
Assuming the City of Anaheim's umpiring chores in
1990 dictated a reorganization of Major League
Softball's management structure. President Dave
Johnson realized that MLS had grown in such size and
scope that the Community Director position would
have to be redefined.
Specifically, Johnson believed that the scope of the
CD's duties was too narrow—that the day had arrived
when the on-site manager- would have to be both an
experienced scorekeeper and a knowledgeable umpire
FT 13 ALL
Only when this occurred would the League Directors
(LDs), as they are now called, be fully qualified to
evaluate both types of contractor.
League Directors
The newly created League Directors were given the
authority to take disciplinary action, levy service
charges and reward scorers and umpires for providing
outstanding service. Johnson would further expand the
LD's scope to include responsibility for the daily
scheduling of their designated scorekeeping crew, a
task heretofore handled at corporate headquarters.
This significant shift in responsibility was gratefully
received by scorekeeping contractors, because it gave
them access to their scheduling contact right on the
field, six nights a week.
LDs: The Missing Links
Just like the original CD's, League Directors carry
telecommunications pagers, which among other
benefits, allows them to take over whenever a scoring
or umpiring contractor is tardy or absent. The LD's
also perform the following functions:
—participate in the scheduling and evaluation of
umpiring contractors,
—attend all preseason managers' meetings,
—correct all scorekeeping errors,
--disseminate written materials to team managers,
and
—respond to all questions, problems and complaints
either by telephone or in person on the field.
Although the time, effort, and cost necessary to
successfiilly integrate the concept of a League Director
into the Major League Softball format was
considerable, the results have been extraordinary for
all parties concerned. In fact, MLS points with pride to
the fact that in the first four years of the League
Director Program, an umpire and scorer were present
at every scheduled game—encompassing more than
50,000 games! An amazing streak which is due in
large measure to the outstanding performance of the
League Directors.
Students who score well at the clinic must then pass a
rigorous 6 -game on -field examination under the
watchful eyes of MLS's Senior Umpiring Instructors.
THE MAJOR LEAGUE ALTE RNAT'I` E
SCMAF-certified officials are not scheduled to work
MLS -administered games until they have successfully
passed the classroom, the on -field clinic, and the
on-the-job exams.
R & D: Recruitment and Development
As was MLS President Johnson's intent, the concept
of the League Director enabled him to concentrate on
devising an effective system for the large-scale
recruitment and training of umpiring, scoring, and
supervisorial staff. After two years of trial and error,
during which several methods of recruitment were
attempted, Major League Softball has successfully
formulated a recruitment program that presently
yields, on average, 22 scoits per month.
In fact in many instances, the recruitment program has
been so effective that the number of interested
contractors far exceeds Major League Softball's need
for scorekeepers, umpires, and League Directors. The
surplus of well-trained, certified contract scorers and
umpires has enabled MLS to utilize the services of
only the most competent contractors; thus, MLS has
put itself in the enviable position of scheduling game
officials based solely on the twin criteria of reliability
and merit.
Area Administrative Directors
Because virtually every softball program MLS
serviced was thriving, the need for full-time training
professionals became increasingly evident. In
response, MLS's Johnson created the position of Area
Director of Storekeeping Operations (D.S.O.), whose
chief responsibilities are to oversee League Directors
in their region and to supply them with highly
qualified storekeeping contractors.
Presently, Jason Straub is available to each client on a
day to day basis as the Orange County Area Director
of Storekeeping Operations and Catherine Johnson
serves the Los Angeles County Area as D.S.O. Both
Directors are supplied with classroom facilities,
dedicated training equipment and the day to day
responsibility of executing MLS recruiting, testing and
quality control procedures for all Official Scorers and
League Directors in their districts.
Drill the Umpire(s)
Umpiring
contractors are
selected and trained
by a tandem of
Directors of
Umpiring
Operations (D.U.O.)
who, like their
D.S.O. counterparts,
are responsible for
managing the day to
day operations in
specific geographic
areas. Under the
supervision of
President Johnson,
Rex Davidson
oversees the
operations in the
Orange County Area
and Rod Arrant
serves MLS's clients
in the Los Angeles County Area. The D.U.O.s'
primary responsibility is to direct the MLS umpire
training and evaluation program. Because of an
intense dedication and the thoroughness of its training
program, MLS has consistently graduated the finest
softball umpiring officials in Southern California.
Specifically, after eight hours of instruction in an MLS
classroom, prospective umpiring contractors must
then attend a day long on -field clinic that is conducted
by the Director and his staff. Each umpiring student is
evaluated in 20 different categories and then
depending on their overall score and their potential,
the Director of Umpiring Operations will direct them
to a senior Umpiring Instructor or require the student
to return to a classroom and/or an on -field session for
more instruction.
Students who score well at the clinic must then pass a
rigorous 6 -game on -field examination under the
watchful eyes of MLS's Senior Umpiring Instructors.
SCMAF-certified officials are not scheduled to work
MLS -administered games until they have successfully
passed the classroom, the on -field clinic, and the
on-the-job exams.
MAJOR LEAGUE SOFTBALL
One More Giant Step
By late 1991, MLS management was convinced it had
developed and fine-tuned every conceivable aspect
required to ensure a successful softball program.
However, Rich Kollen, who gave Major League
Softball its first job back in 1987 for the City of
Orange, pointed out that MLS would not be a
"complete program contractor" until it could provide
field maintenance services commensurate with the
scope and quality of its administrative, storekeeping
and umpiring services.
As was the case back in 1987, Kollen had identified a
pivotal need that, if addressed, would not only result
in a major cost reduction tool for each agency ---but
this time would elevate Major League Softball, Inc.,
into a class by itself.
After months of research, MLS president Johnson was
convinced that providing a state-of-the-art field
maintenance service was both necessary and viable. It
was then necessary to find the right man to direct daily
field maintenance operations. Johnson was delighted
to discover that Jeff Kadis, one of Johnson's former
student -athletes, had spent a great deal of time both
studying and working the specialized art of ball field
maintenance at College of the Canyons in Valencia,
California. Johnson's ten years of maintaining his own
baseball fields as a High School and College baseball
coach coupled with Kadis' technical knowledge
provided exactly what MLS needed to form the
cornerstone of its newly established "Field
Maintenance Division."
The Tractor Factor
One of Johnson's major research projects was to
examine all of the latest tools and equipment
specifically designed for ball field maintenance.
Armed with corporate funds, Johnson selected a John
Deere 1200 tractor outfitted with attachments
specifically designed for ball field grooming. Though
the JD 1200 was far from the least expensive option, it
was clearly the superior machine for preparing and
maintaining softball fields; thus Johnson did not
hesitate to purchase one for MLS, then open a
corporate line of credit through John Deere that made
it possible to purchase additional JD 1200s.
A Major Test For Major League Softball
Meanwhile, Major League Softball, Inc., signed a
contract with the City of Westminster to provide
administrative, marketing, scoring and umpiring
services for the city's Community Services
Department. The City of Westminster enlisted MLS to
expand the recently rejuvenated softball program,
starting with the 1992 spring season. Specifically, the
city wanted to double the size of its program by the
end of four seasons of play. MLS was more than equal
to the task, After but two seasons under MLS
management, the City of Westminster's softball
program posted a 54 percent increase in team
registrations!
THE MAJOR LEAGUE
The Ultimate Challenge
Buoyed by this impressive statistic and by its new
"Field Maintenance Division," MLS jumped at the
chance to compete for its first shot as the complete
provider of a city's softball program --specifically, the
City of Pasadena's. And upon concluding a
comprehensive selection process, the City of Pasadena
chose Major League Softball, Inc., to handle the city's
entire softball operation. Thus, on July 21, 1992, with
the first pitch of the City of Pasadena's summer
season, Rich Kollen's vision had come to fruition:
MLS was managing each and every detail necessary to
provide a full-service softball program.
If such an accomplishment doesn't seem monumental,
consider that the City of Pasadena's program was
being conducted on three fields, five nights per week,
while accommodating just under 70 teams. Moreover,
MLS had to accomplish all of the following:
—create a publicity campaign and advertise the
season,
—register the teams and collect fees,
—form leagues and devise schedules,
—assemble and assign the umpiring and
storekeeping staffs,
—obtain the computerized scoring equipment and
game balls,
—conduct the preseason managers' meeting, and
—completely renovate all three infields.
What's more, MLS had to fulfill all of the above
functions within four weeks of being awarded the
contract—and despite the fact the closest MLS
program was more than 30 miles from Pasadena!
Instant Success
Major League Softball was confident in its
administrative abilities, but was thrilled when the
MLS Field Maintenance Division received immediate
accolades from both softball participants and the City
of Pasadena's public works staff. In fact, Pasadena
City College Athletic Director Ernie Romine, after
observing the condition of the fields serviced by MLS,
proposed a contract for maintenance of both the
P.C.C. men's baseball and women's softball fields.
And beginning in January 1993, Mr. Kadis' crews
maintained the diamond used by the P.C.C. softball
team on a contractual basis.
A IJr1ryERNA`I I V E
The City of Pasadena's next season, the fall campaign,
experienced a marked increase in team registration. A
total of 96 teams participated in the fall season, and a
significant number of weekday teams were turned
away because field space was maximized. This
positive response was most gratifying for MLS and
Director of Storekeeping Catherine Johnson, as
increases in softball team registration from summer to
fall are rare indeed.
Thus, within six short years, Major League Softball,
Inc., was scoring, umpiring, supervising, and
marketing programs that, combined, served more than
700 teams each week!
MAJOR LF
FF , AIMILIMa
AGUE SOFTBALL
Welcome to the Menu!
Competition breeds excellence. And in just seven
short years, Major League Softball, Inc., became the
Number I contract service provider of adult softball
program related services in the most competitive area
in the.country. Today, at the conclusion of its twenty-
third year, MLS now serves 28 governmental agencies
with it wide array of services.
In fact, MLS has developed a program that is as
unique as it is successful. A program that can operate
every aspect of a softball league—from start-up to fee
collection to field maintenance to umpire recruitment
to all administrative functions.
What's more, Major League Softball, Inc., can provide
this entire range of
services at an
incredibly
competitive cost.
Thanks to talented
employees,
sophisticated
software and fully
field-tested
techniques, we can
provide your
organization with
the very best
Softball League --at
a very economical
price.
Speaking of
economy, we realize
that words can be
cheap. That actions
speak louder than
words. And we know our activities of the past twenty
years speak for themselves. But if you're still not
convinced, ask our satisfied customers—like the cities
of Pasadena, Riverside and Cerritos. After- all, in its
aventy-three years of existence, MLS has neves- failed
in an attempt to have a contract reneived.
F A"
II DESCRIPTION OF
PRESEASON MARKETING
SERVICES
Each section describes specific proposed services as
they would be performed for your Agency's Adult
Softball Program. Examples of work provided to
similar adult softball programs are available upon
request. Prior to each softball season MLS will
provide the following preseason marketing services to
ensure that facilities allocated for Adult Softball
Program play are fully utilized:
Design and Publication of all Adult
Softball Program Forms and related
Documents
MLS will produce all forms and marketing materials,
related to the Adult Softball Program, including:
League Announcement Flyers, "League" Rules,
("League" rules as referenced herein are adapted rules
that deviate from the rules prescribed by the SCMAF
rule book), Roster Addition Forms, Protest Forms,
Player Ejection Forms and multi -part NCR forms such
as the Official Team Roster Form and Lineup Cards.
(All design work will be submitted to the appropriate
Recreation Department staff member(s) for approval
prior to distribution.)
Mailing List Processing/Maintenance
and Bulk Mail Handling
Initially, MLS will input and store the Agency's
existing mailing list of softball managers. After each
mailing, MLS will compare the mailing list to current
team rosters and returned mail to ensure that the
mailing list is accurate and up-to-date.
MLS will generate zip code -sorted adhesive mailing
labels. In addition to printing the mailing labels, MLS
will reproduce, collate and assemble the softball
program announcement and registration information,
which will then be inserted into envelopes and
delivered to the U.S. Postal Service with mailing
THE MAJOR LEAGUE ALTERNATIVE
labels attached and first-class postage prepaid.
Undeliverable mail shall be returned to MLS
headquarters and the mailing list updated accordingly.
Press Releases, Public Relations and
Program Marketing
Upon execution of the contract, MLS will produce and
distribute press releases to various media in order to
effectively publicize the Adult Softball Program and
the unique services provided by MLS. During the
course of each season, MLS will provide local media
with current league standings and league leader
information to generate additional interest in the Adult
Softball Program.
Team Registration Process
MLS will conduct the team registration process, by
obtaining the use of a location within the Agency's
city limits where its highly qualified personnel will
then supervise team registration. Due to the number of
hours and staff provided, MLS warrants that Adult
Softball Program participants will find team
registration to be a simple and convenient process.
During the registration process, MLS will require a
team roster and the full registration fee from each
team, then deposit all receipts into a trust account.
MLS will pay to the Agency a sum based on
agreement, within an established time frame.
Prior to the commencement of the team registration
process, MLS will obtain from the Agency's
Recreation Department a softball leaguc facility
schedule (providing the dates and times reserved for
Adult Softball Program play on each softball field).
MLS will analyze the facility schedules and determine
the maximum number of teams that can play each
day/night. By double-checking facility schedules prior
to the registration process, MLS will be able to apprise
teams of field availability at the time they register. In
the event that a team's first choice of night is filled, it
will be given the opportunity to select an alternative
night to play. Naturally, returning teams to the Adult
Softball Program and teams with a significant number
of local residents will enjoy certain registration
advantages. Most important, each team will know
conclusively upon registering whether it has been
accepted into the Adult Softball Program and which
night it will play.
Team Classification and League
Formation Services
MLS has developed a mathematical means for
maximizing competition: the MLS Team
Classification System (TCS). MLS shall utilize the
TCS to determine team classification and league
formations after the initial season of the contract.
Upon the conclusion of the team registration process,
MLS will form leagues based on the caliber of the
teams entered.
The TCS, a trade secret and the sole property of Major
League Softball, Inc, uses offensive, defensive and
pitching data compiled from softball programs
throughout Southern California to form leagues
consisting of teams with comparable ability. As is the
case with all its current programs, MLS ensures that
the level of competition will improve markedly after
the computerized scoring system has been used for
one (1) season and the quantity of statistical
information grows.
MAJOR LEAGUE SOFTBALL.,,
It must be understood that MLS would not be able to
utilize the TCS to establish leagues in the first season
of the contract because of the lack of detailed
performance statistics. However, to improve first
season classifications, MLS will use, if available,
league standings, game scores and score sheets from
previous seasons. This information would be used in
conjunction with registering teams' self-ratings to
structure league formations for the initial season of the
contract.
Game Scheduling Services
After league formation is complete, MLS shall
produce all Adult Softball Program game schedules
within the parameters of the softball facility schedule.
MLS's proprietary scheduling software generates
game schedules with equal amounts of early, middle,
and late games, as well as an equal number of
home/visitor designations for each team. Each team
will receive twelve (12) copies of its schedule in their
"manager's packet," which will be distributed at the
preseason managers' meeting.
-- 111111IFirma
Preseason Managers' Meeting
Within five days of the opening day of each season,
MLS shall conduct a Managers' Meeting during which
team representatives will receive a packet which
includes game schedules, SCMAF rule books, roster
addition forms, and league rules. Mandatory
attendance will be stressed as proper procedure and
interaction with MLS scorers will be explained and
possible rule changes and updating of Agency policy
will be discussed.
All questions or problems related to scheduling or
rules will be answered or otherwise resolved at the
Managers' Meeting. MLS shall provide no fewer than
two representatives at each preseason Managers'
Meeting to distribute all necessary materials and
answer questions.
III DESCRIPTION OF
IN -SEASON
SERVICES
During the course of each softball season MLS will
provide the following services to ensure that Adult
Softball Program participants receive a level of
service quality that is unsurpassed:
League Coordination and Support
Services
MLS will provide an on-site program manager known
as the League Director (LD). The LD will be
responsible for managing MLS's day to day operation
of the Adult Softball Program. Prior to becoming a
candidate for a League Director position, prospective
League Directors must have two or more years
experience as a scorekeeping and/or umpiring
contractor providing services to MLS. Because MLS's
selection process is based solely on merit and
reliability, MLS can ensure that each League Director
is an accomplished professional who is extremely
familiar with every facet of the MLS system of
softball program administration.
MLS offers the Agency the option of being involved
in the LD selection process in the event that a
transition occurs during the contract term. The LDwilI
be on-site each day/evening, readily accessible to
Adult Softball Program participants and/or MLS staff
Program participants may also contact the LD via a
dedicated telephone line known as the "MLS Hotline."
THE MAJOR LEA AGUE ALTERNATIVE
In his capacity, the League Director will perform a
number of essential support functions. Specifically,
the League Director's responsibilities will include:
storekeeping contractor assignments and evaluations,
pickup and delivery of computerized scoring
equipment, team roster maintenance, and statistical
corrections. In addition, the LD shall record field
condition announcements and game score information
onto the dedicated MLS Hotline each evening, and
will notify all game officials of game cancellations,
scheduling changes, or rile updates.
The LD will coordinate with the City's liaison staff
prior to and during the team registration process and
will attend each preseason managers' meeting.
The LD will record and track all game cancellation
information during the course of the season. As each
season progresses, the LD will coordinate all play-off
and makeup game requests with the appropriate
Recreation Division staff member, and approximately
two weeks prior to the scheduled end of each season,
he will personally distribute makeup game notices to
all affected teams. The LD will then coordinate the
scheduling of umpiring and scorekeeping contractors
to ensure that all play-off and/or makeup games take
place at their scheduled time(s) without difficulties.
The LD will also be readily accessible to scorekeeping
and umpiring contractors via a telecommunications
paging/cellular system. A certified scorekeeping
contractor and SCMAF certified umpire, the LD is
capable of substituting in the event of an emergency.
The League Director's chief responsibility is the daily
quality control of the services rendered to Adult
Softball League participants. Because the LD's will
participate in the scheduling and disciplining of all
scorekeeping and umpiring subcontractors, and they
have the authority to charge contractors that violate
MLS policy by appearing tardy for a shift or being out
of uniform, the LD has the tools necessary to maintain
the highest standards of quality.
Certified Scorers and the MLS
Computerized Scoring System
MLS will dedicate a crew of certified scorekeeping
contractors to service the Adult Softball Program. One
of these storekeeping contractors will be assigned to
every game on the Adult Softball Program Schedule.
Every scorer supplied by MLS shall be proficient with
the scorekeeping riles and procedures as defined by
Appendix D of the SCMAF Rule Book.
Each scorekeeper must pass a written examination as
well as a proficiency test on the MLS computerized
scoring system before achieving certified contractor
status. MLS will supply Agency staff with copies of
individual test results upon request.
MLS shall notify each scorekeeping contractor of any
special Agency "league" rules that have been adopted
by the Adult Softball Program. MLS will review
proper procedures for filling out Injury Report forms,
Player Ejection forms and Game Protest forms with
each scorer. Each scorekeeping contractor wi Il be
evaluated no fewer than twice per month by the LD,
and each scorekeeping contractor shall receive
unannounced visits from a League Director no less
than once per evening. Uniformity of dress and
professional conduct shall be required of the
scorekeepers at all times.
The MLS Scoring system consists of a portable
computer system, a portable public address system,
printer, table, extension cord, continuous foinr paper
and two-part NCR lineup cards—all of which will be
in place at every softball field each night of scheduled
Adult Softball Program play. MLS scorers will input
the results of each play into the system and will
provide the following reports and publications at each
game:
MAJOR Lr AGUF
1. Play-by-play Narrative
Upon the conclusion of each game a detailed account
(one copy per team) of how the game was scored will
be available from the official scorer. (Sample
"Narratives" are available upon request). In the event
a participant disagrees with any of the data on the
statistical summaries, he or she can check the
play-by-play detail to resolve any disagreements.
2. Team Summaries
At the conclusion of each game three (3) copies of the
single game Team Summary Report and three (3)
copies of the cumulative Team Summary Report shall
be printed and delivered to each team by the
scorekeeper. Among other statistics, these Reports list
each player's at -bats; runs; hits; doubles; triples; home
runs; and batting, slugging, and fielding percentages.
(Sample Team Summary Reports" are available upon
request.)
3. Dugout Din Newsletter
Team managers shall receive a copy of the latest issue
of the "Dugout Dirt" publication each week from the
scorekeeper. The front page contains current league
standings and the Top 10 players in five different
statistical categories (Top Batters, RBI, Sluggers,
Fielders and E.R.A.).
The back page contains a
cumulative Team
Summary Report for
every team in the league,
so every manager will
have season -to -date
information for his own
team as well as for every
player his team will face.
MLS will supply a
proprietary software
• � package titled "Hitcch
BaseballlSoftball" to
yr
each computer system.
Said software package is
a trade secret of Hitech Sports, and may not be copied
or reproduced by any person, firm or corporation in
whole or in any part without the express written
consent of MLS. It is understood that NILS shall
reserve all rights to the statistical information captured
using said software package.
0 FT B AL14
MLS Umpiring Services
The following set of umpiring -related services will be
provided to the Adult Softball Program:
Director of Umpiring Operations
MLS umpiring operations are managed on a day to
day basis by a full time Director of Umpiring
Operations (DUO) in each geographic area. (See MLS
Organizational Chart.) The DUO is responsible for the
recruitment, training, S.C.M.A.F. certification, and
on-going evaluation of all umpiring officials.
The Director maintains a file containing each
umpiring official's pertinent information in the event
that there is a question or concern related to an
umpire's certification and training background, test
scores, and evaluation History.
The Director of Umpiring Operations presides over a
monthly umpire scheduling meeting. The DUO works
in conjunction with each League Director to assign
MLS umpiring contractors to specific dates and
leagues.
Moreover, the Director will be directly accessible to
the Agencys liaison staff members and will provide
research, documentation and assistance pertaining to
ejections, protests, or requests by either Recreation
Division Staff or Adult Softball Program participants.
As previously stated, the DUO shall attend preseason
Managers' meetings and will be available to attend
any or all program organization meetings.
MLS Umpire Training and Certification
Program
MLS has been authorized by SCMAF to conduct its
own training and certification classes. In fact, umpires
from all over Southern California are referred to MLS
for certification because of its comprehensive
classroom and on -field training program. Though
MLS does certify each of its officials with SCMAF, in
order to receive game assignments from MLS, each
official must successfully complete a comprehensive
three-part training process with accompanying
THE MAJOR LEAGUE
6 Aft
examinations administered by the Director of
Umpiring Operations and his staff of Senior Umpiring
Instructors.
The Director personally conducts each classroom
training session and on -field clinic for umpires of all
skill and experience levels. In addition to the SCMAF
Rule Book and Umpires' Mechanics Guide, The
Major League Softball Umpire Training Course is
now a published textbook used for beginning,
intermediate and advanced umpire instruction. (A
copy of the MLS Umpire Training Course can be
obtained from MLS by request only. We feel the
information contained in the publication is somewhat
proprietary and therefore it is not made available to
the general public.)
Each beginning umpiring student is placed in
simulated game situations prior to umpiring in an
actual league game. This way, no umpiring official is
allowed to work "for real" until they are truly ready to
perforin at a high level of competence.
MLS is extremely proud of its intermediate and
advanced umpire development programs. MLS
strongly believes that it is simply not enough for
umpiring contractors to recertify on a yearly basis. The
A M__-,1.____.-___1
AL's. ERNA'fIN E
A" -
Director of Umpire Operations dedicates his week
night work schedule to the ongoing evaluation and
follow up training of already certified umpiring
contractors. It is this feature of the MLS Umpiring
Service that sets Major League Softball, Inc., apart
from every other umpiring organization in Southern
California. Though the recruitment and training of
new umpires is an important function, it is our opinion
that the constant improvement and education of our
existing crew members is of paramount importance,
therefore, substantial corporate resources are
dedicated to this function.
"Local Crew" of MLS/SCMAF Certified
Officials
MLS will accept all umpiring assignments for league
games in accordance with Adult Softball Program
game schedules. Every umpiring official supplied by
MLS shall be MLSISCMAF certified and shall display
proof of said certification on his or her uniform.
Umpires are scheduled such that they are rotated no
less than every two weeks. MLS has found that this
method eliminates problems related to familiarity and
contempt between teams and umpires,
MLS will dedicate a crew of MLSISCMAF certified
umpires to the League Director. The LD's will
communicate with their crew members on a daily
basis to ensure that each umpiring official is abreast of
all special "Local" Adult Softball Program rules. All
new crew members will be given a special
examination that tests their knowledge of the Agency's
special rule set and upon administering the Exam the
respective DUO will review each rule. (Copies of
"Local Exams" are available upon request.)
Though LD's monitor umpiring performances on a
daily basis, each umpiring official will be evaluated
in writing on one (1) or more occasions per each
ten -week season by the Director of Umpiring
Operations.
MLS Scheduling and Emergency Backup
Support System
MLS's umpire scheduling system provides a
multi -tiered emergency backup support system for
MAJOR LEAGUE: SOFTBALL
cases where an umpiring official is not present ten
(10) minutes prior to game time. The MLS Emergency
Backup Support System functions as follows:
1) Each umpiring official is required to sign a
contract each month which defines his/her
umpiring obligations for the month. (Samples
of individual umpiring contracts are available
upon request.)
2) Each program has a dedicated "On Call"
official scheduled on every night of league
play. Officials accepting "On Call" shifts are
required to stay in contact with the DUO
throughout the day and evening of the shift.
3) In the event that an umpiring contractor is not
present ten (10) minutes prior to the scheduled
game time, the assigned scorekeeper will
contact MLS's dedicated "Quarterback"
who mans a specific "Quarterback Hotline"
beginning one hour prior to the first scheduled
game time. (Scorekeepers are required to
arrive no fewer than 30 minutes prior to the
first scheduled game time. LD's check their
first field approximately 30 minutes before
game time and have made a complete sweep
of their fields by the first scheduled game
time.)
4) Upon receiving the scorekeeper's call, the
Quarterback will immediately contact the
appropriate LD (via cellular telephone/pager)
and direct the LD to the field where the assigned
umpire is not present. The LD, a certified
umpire, will then conduct the pregame meeting
with the team managers and start the first game
such that the teams are not inconvenienced in
any way.
5) Meanwhile, the Quarterback dispatches
the assigned "On Call" official to the field
where the LD has started the first game.
6) Upon the arrival of the "On Call" official, the
LD will then return to his/her League
Directing duties. The LD will continue to
officiate the game until the "On Call" official
arrives.
In the unlikely event that more thanone (1) "On Call"
official is needed, the "Quarterback" will contact the
Director of Umpiring Operations and the D.U.O. will
dispatch another local official or will personally
relieve the LD himself.
This system provides no fewer than three (3) layers of
backup support beyond the originally scheduled
official. This plan ensures that every scheduled
softball game is played with more than 95 percent of
them started "on time".
Game Materials
MLS will provide one (1) new game ball and one (1)
good used ball for each game. The Agency and MLS
shall mutually agree upon acceptable manufacturer(s)
and model(s) of game balls to be used in the Adult
Softball Program. MLS will supply a set of bases and
a SCMAF-approved home plate extension for each
field. MLS staff will be responsible for the installation
and removal of the bases and home plate extensions
each night as well as any manual operation of lighting
systems.
Awards Design, Procurement &
Distribution
No later than the fifth week of each season, MLS will
submit art work to be approved by the appropriate
Agency staff member(s). Upon approval, MLS will
order a sponsor/team award for both the first and
second place teams, and 15 individual awards for the
members of each first place team.
MLS will provide various awards options during each
Managers' Meeting and allow team representatives to
vote for their preferences. (MLS will provide samples
of actual awards designed, manufactured and
distributed to teams in similar adult softball programs;
popular choices are "mock" turtleneck sweaters, "crew
neck" sweatshirts, embroidered hats and bat bags that
read "City Champions".) MLS will distribute awards
on the fields on the final night of each league's
season. MLS has found that softball teams are
extremely appreciative of this service because of the
convenience and the added enjoyment received from
celebrating their success with awards in hand.
`I HE MAJOR LEAGUE AE's ERNATIVE
In addition to league championship awards, the league set of conditions that requires special attention.
leaders in three selected categories will receive a Therefore, the Major League Softball SBDMS
special MLS "League Leader Award." Such awards consists of two distinct elements: Periodic Repair
will vary from season to season and will be available Services and the Daily Maintenance Program,
within one week of the final game of each season.
IV BALL FIELD
MAINTENANCE SERVICES
Before, during and after each softball season MLS will
provide the following services:
The MLS Standard Ball Diamond
Maintenance System (SBDMS)
The MLS Field Maintenance Division is managed by
MLS's Director of Maintenance Operations, Patrick
May (hereafter "DFM") and his staff. The DFM has
integrated his own innovative techniques along with
proven maintenance procedures to create a
comprehensive maintenance system that renders ball
field conditions that have proven both safe and
enjoyable for program participants.
The most remarkable benefit of the MLS Standard
Ball Diamond Maintenance System (SBDMS) is that
it affords program administrators the opportunity to
resume league play immediately after inclement
weather. The SBDMS eliminates the need to wait
multiple days for ball fields to dry after a heavy rain;
this feature has significantly reduced the number of
rained -out games and the resulting rescheduling
burden. MLS warrants that the SBDMS will enable it
to schedule
- and complete
four (4)
�"-- softball
seasons per
year,
regardless of
the amount of
rainfall.
By their very
nature, every
softball field
has a unique
Periodic Field Repair Services
To the extent that adult softball play impacts the fields
allocated for league use, the following repair services
will be performed on each field programmed for adult
softball:
1) Survey the traction (infield) area each season to
evaluate the existing grade and decide which
equipment and grading method should be
employed to bring the infield(s) to the proper
grade. See Paragraph #3 below for specific
details regarding grading equipment and
methods.
2) After surveying the traction area of each infield,
obtain and provide whatever amount of traction
material ("Angel Mix", decomposed granite,
etc.) is necessary to build up the infield(s) that
have suffered significant material displacement
—if additional traction material is needed to
create a level grade. It must be clearly
understood that the SBDMS traction material
replacement feature is limited to replacing only
those quantities of material that have been lost
or displaced due to adult softball use. The
SBDMS will not include replacement of traction
material when such material loss or
MAJOR LEAGUE SOFTBALL
displacement is caused by weather and/or athletic uses
such as baseball, youth softball, soccer, school
programming or any field uses other than adult
softball.
3) On three (3) occasions per year, grade the
traction area of each infield using a skip loader
and Gannon" grading box. Traction material
will be added where necessary during the
grading process. Traction material purchases
will be prorated such that MLS will pay for
traction material only to the the extent of the
SBDMS material replacement feature defined in
Paragraph 2 above and the City will pay for the
portion of each traction material purchase that is
needed due to non -adult softball uses and/or
weather. To ensure optimal drainage, safety and
playability on each infield allocated for adult
softball league play, MLS strongly recommends
that each infield is laser leveled on one (1)
occasion peryear. MLS will invoice the City the
sum of 5500.00 per infield after rendering laser
lcveling services.
4) On a seasonal basis, survey the outfield (sodded)
area to determine which areas are worn or
damaged due to adult softball use. It must be
clearly understood that this SBDMS sod
replacement feature is limited to damage or
wear that is specifically caused by adult softball
use only. Worn or damaged areas of a softball
outfield that have been caused by other activities
or athletic uses such as soccer, rugby or football
will not be considered part of the outfield area
that will be repaired by the SBDMS.
5) When necessary, obtain and provide whatever
type of sod that is currently used as outfield turf
(i.e. bermuda, perennial rye, etc.) MLS will
supply enough sod to completely fill those areas
which are heavily impacted by softball league
play. MLS will use proper sod cutting
equipment to remove damaged, worn or
diseased sod and replace it with healthy 3' by 1'
lengths. During the planting process, MLS will
add all necessary amendments (recipe to be
mutually agreed upon between the appropriate
City staff member(s) and the DFM) to ensure
proper mending and growth.
b) Measure the distances from home plate, between
base anchors, and to the pitcher's plate (rubber)
to ensure that they fall within the specifications
set forth in the SCMAF rule book. At this time,
all base anchors, home plates and pitchers' plates will
be thoroughly checked for excessive wear or defects;
and a written status report maybe submitted to the
appropriate city staff member(s).
7) Using a light meter, MLS will test the candle
foot power (lux) for each infield and outfield. In
the event that an existing candle foot reading
does not comply with the State of California's
minimum standard for ball field use, a written
diagram illustrating the location and quantity of
each reading will be provided to the appropriate
city staff member(s).
8) When necessary, the perimeter border edge (the
line where infield traction material meets
outfield turf) will receive special attention to
eliminate any berm or ridge that develops from
frequent use. MLS will de -thatch, scalp and
water blast the perimeter edge such that it will
remain free of infield mix buildup. It must be
clearly understood that this infield perimeter
border edge repair feature is limited to repair of
T -1113E MAJOR LEAGUE ALTERNATIVE
damage caused by adult softball use only. The
SBDMS will not provide repair of perimeter border
edges when such repairs are caused by weather and/or
athletic uses such as baseball, youth softball, soccer,
school programming or any field uses other than adult
softball.
MLS will evaluate the existing conditions on each
softball field allocated for adult softball program use
prior to commencement of a contract. If the existing
conditions on each softball field do not meet industry
standards then MLS will prepare a written estimate of
proposed renovation services with MLS's customary
charges for such services. In such situations, the City
agrees to either accept MLS's proposal and pay MLS
to renovate said softball fields or the City will bear the
responsibility for bringing said fields up to industry
standards for safety and playability.
Periodic Repair Services are provided to ensure that
all playing surfaces are kept available for use. It is
mutually understood that the City has its own, separate
parks maintenance staff and/or parks maintenance
program. The SBDMS is not a parks maintenance
program and is not designed to alleviate the City's
park maintenance responsibilities.
Infield Treatment Program
After necessary Periodic Repair Services have been
completed, each softball field will be ready for the
opening day of the season. Beginning on opening day,
MLS's Field Maintenance staff.will perform an Infield
Treatment on each field scheduled for league play.
The Infield Treatment Program takes into account that
specific locations (referred to as "high -impact areas")
on each softball diamond endure heavy use and thus
require special attention. High -impact areas such as
batter's boxes, catcher's and umpire's places behind
home plate, the pitcher's mound, the base paths, and
the sliding areas around the base anchors will receive
additional watering and scarifying on a daily basis;
and traction material will be added when needed. A
Daily Infield Treatment consists of the following steps
that are performed on each day a field is scheduled for
league play:
1) Large quantities of displaced material from
high -impact areas will be back-filled using the
front scoop of a John Deere 1200 ball field
conditioner.
2) The entire traction area will be watered, with
additional quantities applied to high -impact
areas.
3) As needed, the entire traction area will be
scarified using a variety of depth settings,
depending on the existing condition of the field.
MLS staff uses scarifiers that conic as standard
attachments on John Deere 1200 ball field
conditioners. The JD 1200 scarifier is 54 inches
wide and can be set to depths ranging from one
to six inches. Extra care will be exercised when
scarifying next to perimeter edges, base anchors,
home plates, pitcher's plates, backstops and
chain link fencing: (Experience has shown that
this process renders a consistent infield texture
that significantly reduces the number of injuries
related to bad bounces and sliding on hard or
unlevel surfaces.)
MAJOR LEAGUE SOF_.' ALL
4) The JD 1200 grading/leveling attachment and a
"screen" drag will then be employed to evenly
distribute traction material over the entire traction area
surface of the infield leaving a smooth surface.
5) Finally, the field shall be lined as prescribed by
the SCMAF rule book. Using a batter's box
template and string, MLS staff will set down the
batter's boxes, foul lines, coaches' boxes, first
base running line, and on -deck circles.
Appropriate city staff member(s) will be
consulted, so that MLS will use only field
marking materials that have been approved by
the City's Parks Maintenance Division.
While the SBDMS is quite comprehensive, it does not
include the following landscape and parks
maintenance tasks: seeding, aeration, fertilization,
mowing, watering of outfield areas, irrigation system
repair, or infield mix replacement that hecomes
necessary due to weather or uses other than adult
softball. However, the MLS Field Maintenance
Division is capable of providing maintenance services
well beyond the scope of the Standard Ball Diamond
Maintenance System. If such maintenance services are
desired, a separate contract concerning these
maintenance services may be negotiated.
City Responsibilities
The City agrees to maintain in safe condition all park
fixtures such as: poles, light fixtures, light bulbs,
bleachers/seating apparatus, playground equipment,
chainlink fencing (including but not limited to
"dugout", "backstop", "out of play' and
"outfield/home run" fences), base anchors, home
plates and pitcher's rubbers. MLS will not be held
responsible to defend or indemnify the City against
any claims for personal injury, death or property
damage that in any way arise from or relate to (i) the
condition of said park fixtures, or (ii) the design
and/or construction of park facilities allocated by the
City for adult softball play, regardless of whether such
claims involve program participants, program
spectators or members of the general public.
The City agrees to defend and indemnify MLS against
all claims and liabilities arising out of or in any way
relating to (i) the condition of the aforesaid park
fixtures or, (ii) the design and/or construction of park
facilities allocated by the City for adult softball play,
regardless of whether such claims involve program
participants, program spectators or members of the
general public.
V STANDARD FINANCIAL
STRUCTURES & TERMS
Major League Softball, -Inc., will provide any or all of
the services described herein on a modular, "the client
chooses" basis. Naturally, the scope of services
selected will directly affect the fees charged and the
manner in which MIS will collect or invoice its fees.
Though NMS will negotiate an "Agreement" that
meets the needs of the individual client, MLS's
contractual arrangements typically fall into one (1) of
three (3) categories:
1) Operating Service Agreements
In this type of arrangement, MLS will collect and
deposit all adult softball program league fees into a
dedicated checking account. MLS will retain a fixed
amount of revenue per team as its "Retained Fees" for
services. The number of dollars that MLS retains
from each team registration is dependent upon the
specific set of services selected by the Agency.
"Operating Services Agreements" specify that the
Agency must provide written approval for decisions
relating to League Fees, ball field allocations and the
number of seasons programmed for adult softball
league play. Due to the substantial investment
required, most Operating Services Agreements are
negotiated for terms of two (2) years or more.
2) Specific Program Service Agreements
Agencies that wish to utilize a more narrow scope of
service may negotiate a contract whereby MLS will
invoice on a per game basis for specific selected
services. The fee charged per game will vary
depending upon the scope of service rendered. MLS
will look to invoice for such services on a
semi-monthly basis.
MLS offers its program services on a modular basis
such that an Agency may select one (1) service or
7
THE MAJOR x,EAGUE ALTERNATIVE
groups of services which are packaged. Specific MLS is willing to increase the limit of the policy if the
Program Services Agreements range from one (1) to sums of money handled warrant such an increase.
three (3) years in duration.
3) Ball Field Maintenance Service Agreements
Similar to the previously described arrangements,
MLS will provide specific ball field maintenance
services as selected by the Agency. Routine infield
treatment programs are invoiced on a per treatment
basis and periodic renovation work is negotiated on a
time and materials basis and/or by project.
Ongoing maintenance services will be invoiced
semi-monthly and the per treatment price will be
dependent upon the specific scope of services
selected. Specific Ball Field Maintenance Service
Agreements range from one (1) to three (3) years in
duration.
VI INSURANCE COVERAGES,
INDEMNITY, AND
AGENCY
RESPONSIBILITIES
Prior to commencement of services, MLS shall
provide proof of a comprehensive liability insurance
policy with a policy limit of $ 1,000,000 naming the
Agency, its officials, employees, representatives, and
volunteers as additionally insured parties. MLS'
current liability insurance policy is renewed in
December of each year and has a one (1) year term.
MLS will supply to the persons and/or departments of
the Agency's choice, appropriate documentation
evidencing this insurance coverage. MLS's coverage
extends to program participants as well as spectators
and members of the general public.
In addition to its comprehensive liability insurance
policy, MLS is backed by a Commerial Crime and
Employee Dishonesty policy in the amount of
$25,000. In programs where MLS collects and handles
Adult Softball Program monies, the policy will protect
the Agency from a loss up to $25,000.00. The Agency
will be named on the policy as the "loss payee" and
the Agency will have the sole right to file a claim.
MLS utilizes the services of Independent Contractors
for umpiring and storekeeping functions. (Copies of
the Service Agreements entered into by MLS and its
Storekeeping and Umpiring Contractors are available
upon request.) Independent Contractors are
responsible for the reporting and payment of payroll
taxes as well as providing their own Workers'
Compensation Insurance.
Currently, in each of its programs MLS requires each
player to sign a "Release, Hold Harmless and
Indemnity Agreement." MLS warrants that such a
requirement will be enforced in the Adult Softball
Program with a similar legal document that is
approved by the Agency's Risk Management
Department.
Questions regarding MIS' insurance or bonding
should be directed to David R. Johnson at the address
and/or telephone numbers printed above.
Lifnited Scope Of'Indemnity
Due to insurance considerations, as well as equitable
business principles, it is MLS's policy to indemnify
the Agency against, but only against, all claims and
liabilities arising from the negligence or intentional
misconduct of Major League Softball, Inc., its
employees and/or agents. MIS is not in a position to
indemnify the Agency against negligence or
intentional misconduct of the Agency or its employees
or agents, or any other third parties. Accordingly, any
definitive contract for services must include the
concept of "comparative negligence" (i.e., MLS will
indemnify the Agency only "TO THE EXTENT OF"
MLS's negligence or misconduct.)
It may be legally permissible for MLS to undertake a
broader scope of indemnity. However, inasmuch as
this will affect the insurance premiums paid by MLS,
the fees payable to MLS will have to be adjusted
accordingly. Any such assumption of additional
indemnity must be specified and agreed to in writing
and signed by a Corporate Officer of Major League
Softball, Inc.
Agency Responsibilities
The Agency agrees to maintain in safe condition all
park fixtures such as: poles, light fixtures, light bulbs,
bleachers/seating apparatus, playground equipment,
chainlink fencing (including but not limited to
"dugout", "backstop", "out of play" and
"outfield/home run" fences), base anchors, home
plates and pitcher's rubbers. MLS will not be held
responsible to defend or indemnify the Agency against
any claims for personal injury, death or property
damage that in any way arise from or relate to (i) the
condition of said park fixtures, or (ii) the design
and/or construction of park facilities allocated by the
Agency for adult softball play, regardless of whether
such claims involve program participants, program
spectators or members of the general public,
The Agency agrees to defend and indemnify MLS
against all claims and liabilities arising out of or in
any way relating to (i) the condition of the aforesaid
park fixtures or , or (ii) the design and/or construction
of park facilities allocated by the Agency for adult
softball play, regardless of whether such claims
involve program participants, program spectators or
members of the general public.
THE MAJOR LEAGUE ALTERNATIVE
VII PROFESSIONAL
REFERENCES
The following is an alphabetized list of references:
Mitch Assuma, Senior Recreation Supervisor
City of San Bernardino
547 North Sierra Way
San Bernardino, CA 92410
(909) 384-5132
John Banks, Recreation Supervisor
City of Laguna Niguel
29751 Crown Valley Parkway
Laguna Niguel, California 92677
(949) 362-4350
Marc Gutfeld, Adult Sports Supervisor
City of Long Beach
4700 Deukmejian Drive
Long Beach, California 90804
(562) 570-1731
Amy Hall -Mc Grade, Parks and Recreation Director
City of Covina
1250 N. Hollenbeck
Covina, California 91722
(626) 858-7269
Bonnie Hagan, Leisure Services Superintendent
City of Orange
326 East Almond Avenue
Orange, California 92666
(714) 744-7287
Kevin Ellis, Recreation Supervisor
City of Downey
11111 Brookshire Avenue
Downey, California 90241-7016
(562) 904-7242
Felipe Zambrano, Recreation Services Manager
City of Placentia
401 E. Chapman Avenue
Placentia, California 92870
(714) 993-8227
Dianna Kuka, Recreation Supervisor
City of Westminster
8200 Westminster Boulevard
Westminster, California 92683
(714) 895-5860, Extension 8561
Michael Brandt, Recreation Specialist -Adult Sports
City of Anaheim
200 South Anaheim Boulevard
Anaheim, California 92805
(714) 765-5265
Dennis Chiotti, Public Works Supervisor
City of Irvine
P.O. Box 19575
Irvine, California 92623-9575
(949) 724-7619
Pat Me Ardle, Manager, Recreation Services
City of Chino
13220 Central Avenue
Chino, California 91710
(909) 591-9834
Carlos Espinosa, Recreation Supervisor
City of Cerritos
18025 Bloomfield
Cerritos, California 90703
(562) 916-1262
Robin Metz, Recreation Superintendent
City of Riverside
3936 Chestnut St.
Riverside, California 91770
(951) 826-2050
Cesar Monsalve, Recreation Supervisor
City of Duarte
1600 East Huntington Drive
Duarte, California 91010
(626) 357-7931
Judy Peterson, Community Services Manager
City of Fullerton
801 West Valencia Avenue
Fullerton, California 92632
(714) 738-6390
MAJOR LEAD LSE
Jose Rico, Sports Coordinator
City of Pico Rivera
6767 Passons Boulevard.
Pico Rivera, California 90660
(562) 801-4439
Reno Bellamy, Recreation Supervisor
City of Corona
815 W. 6th Street
Corona, California 92882
(951) 279-3781
Darrell Walker, Recreation Supervisor
City of Pasadena
2575 Paloma Street
Pasadena, California 91107
(626) 794-4656
SOFTBALL