Paradise minor baseball officials face questions over missing money and fee hikes

Minor baseball officials in Paradise, just outside St. John's, are facing questions over the disappearance of thousands of dollars from the association which was partly responsible for a big financial shortfall last year and a decision to sharply raise registration fees for the upcomingseason.

Association president Sam Oliver admitted in an interview that weak financial controls may have been exploited last season by a former executive member. He confirmed thatup to $18,000 is unaccounted for, and that a police investigation is underway.

"Last year, after we did our year-end, we noticed a number of suspicious transactions in our banking records," said Oliver.

Oliver also acknowledged the association was badly off the mark last year on its budget projections, resulting in a $42,000 deficit on expenses that approached$300,000.

The association has decided to raise registration fees in order to balance the books this seasonand is planning a fundraising initiative to cover last year's shortfall, said Oliver.

"We didn't do a thorough enough job at the beginning of last season and there was a bunch of costs that we were unaware of that in the end we ran at a deficit," he said.

But Oliver stressed the feehikes are not connected to the alleged theft of funds.

"We didn't charge enough for the program," he explained, noting that inflationary pressure on the cost of goods such as jerseys and baseballs, higherlabour and administrative charges, and indoor training facility rental feeswere not accurately projected by the executive. He added that wage subsidy support from various levels of government was also less than expected.

Oliver said registration fees in Paradise were below those of neighbouring minor baseball associationsbut are now slightly higher than others with the new fee structure.

Registration for the junior division, for example, will increase from $190 to $225, while senior fees will jump from $200 to $275, said Oliver.

The sharpest rate hikes are for all-star tryout fees, which have increased from $50 to $130.

"It's unfortunate that it seems like a large bump, but the reality is it's been building for a number of years and right now we're seeing that bump kind of all at one time," he said.

'Our best registration to date'

Frustrated parents have taken to social media to voice their concerns, and 99 people had signed a petition as ofWednesday afternoon, calling for the association to cancel the fee increases.

"We must stand togetheras a community against this injustice and demand accountability from those responsible," reads the petition.

"The decision to pass the burden onto families through exorbitant fee hikes is unacceptable."

But the criticism does not appear to be affecting registration, with 430 players signing up since online registration began late last week, said Oliver.

The association expects nearly 600 players to enrol before the end of April.

"Actually, it's been our best registration to date," he said. "To have two-thirds of membership registered already is amazing."

'Breach of trust'

Oliver said he's "torn up" over the alleged theft,and called it a "breach of trust." He said the executive will do all it can to recover the missing money.

He also admitted that weak procedures allowed the alleged theft to occur from the volunteer executive committee.

"Sometimes corners get cut, people are busy,and the right checks are not always followed," said Oliver.

He offered "100 per cent assurance" that the association's funds are now secure and well protected.

Meanwhile, Oliver said he's sympathetic about the extra financial pressures being placed on families, adding the executive will explore ways to help those struggling to pay the new fees.

"We don't want to turn anybody away from baseball, but the fact is the cost of the program is the cost of the program. If the membership don't pay for it, then there is no program," he said.

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