We have received a number of emails from members of the Alameda baseball community about the increase in rates for leasing the field at Wood Middle School.  This public statement is meant to clarify the issues and detail the timeline of communications with the League. Ultimately, our hope is also that the baseball community will come to understand that AUSD:  

• Gave ample notice of the increase in fees 
• Worked diligently and in good faith with the League president to set up a schedule and projected rate for use of the fields for the next year 
• Developed a rate structure that is fair and appropriate for all community partners 

 Background 

For many years, Alameda Little League was allowed to rent AUSD fields for $1/year – far below the discounted rate we charge to other Alameda non-profit organizations. In return, Little League was responsible for maintenance of the field, and AUSD paid for all utilities (i.e., electricity and water, including for the field lights and the Snack Shack). 

Earlier this year, however, AUSD determined that this arrangement was: no longer financially sustainable; was not fair to other non-profit organizations; and could potentially raise legal issues. In addition, AUSD had begun construction on the new Wood campus, which included installing security fencing around the construction area and removing the bathrooms on the site. These physical changes made it challenging for non-school staff to access the field for maintenance; for the commercial garbage service the League was using to get to the trash bins for pick-up; or for sanitation companies to service portable toilets.   

2025 Rate Adjustment 

As such, the district decided to begin charging the Little League the same amount it charges to all other non-profit organizations in August, 2025. In return, AUSD would maintain and irrigate the fields, remove trash, and perform other general custodial services.

AUSD communicated the new rate structure to Little League president in April, 2025. In May 2025, district staff put considerable effort into working with the League president to develop a daily cost projection for every day the League needed the fields between July 30, 2025 to June 30, 2026.  In August, 2025, the League president emailed our team to acknowledge the schedule and cost projections that he and the AUSD team had jointly developed. 

Unfortunately, it does not appear the new rate information was communicated to the League’s Board or families. (Indeed, just last week Little League personnel involved in the booking process were surprised with the rates and needed explanation of charges that had been provided to the Little League president in May.) This has led to distress for board members, families, and, most egregiously, the players. As such, in the future we will copy all Little League board members in our communications to the League president. We will also make all agreements reached by AUSD and the League president readily available on our website for so that the League’s community can stay apprised of the decisions being made.  

Custodial Needs 

Several community members have asked why we charge for custodial services. AUSD needs to have custodians on site when organizations rent our facilities to be sure that doors and/or gates are locked and unlocked, restrooms and the grounds are left in clean, safe, and operating condition, and unexpected needs that arise during the event are met. The need for custodians is especially acute because school facilities are held to a higher standard of cleanliness, safety, and readiness than other recreational facilities, and after any rental, the site must be fully prepared for the next day of instruction. The custodial presence also helps protect the integrity of the facility and ensures it remains a safe and welcoming environment for community users, students, and staff. This is not work that can go undone, and because of the high standards required, we cannot rely on volunteers to do it. 

It is important to note, however, that AUSD generally only charges for custodians on weekends, when a custodian is not already on site. Weekday permits during the school year do not normally require a second custodian.  

We do feel for the families and players who suffered last weekend when the League cancelled the games at the last minute. We are sure this was disappointing. Moving forward, we sincerely hope that we can find a way to maintain a mutually beneficial partnership. We hope that it is clear that we communicated these changes very early on; we worked diligently with the League president to detail how these changes would affect his permit fees for the next year (i.e., making them the same fees we charge community groups); and we were working at all times to develop an arrangement that demonstrates fairness community-wide.