East Butler Baseball Association returns home after agreement with borough council ends 2-year dispute
SUMMIT TWP – The ill feelings are gone. The padlocks are off. Baseball is on.
The agreement signed between the East Butler Baseball Association and East Butler Borough Council at Monday night’s council meeting officially marked the association’s return to the East Butler Baseball Complex after about one and a half years.
A dispute between the parties forced the East Butler Baseball Association to leave its facility in August of 2023. East Butler baseball played its fall season of 2023 and all of 2024 at the Prospect complex.
“Prospect saved our organization, 100,000%,” association’s secretary Regan Mooney said. “Without their support, we wouldn’t have an organization anymore.
“We would have died.”
Instead, it is reborn.
Mooney said the deal with the borough council “came together rather quickly.”
Her husband, East Butler Baseball Association president Drew Mooney, added: “There was a change of leadership in the council, and we all have a willingness to work together. This is going to benefit our community and our kids. That’s what’s most important.”
“This has been a long road,” borough council president Ben Herald admitted. “Now, everything is smooth. All of us are very happy. This will help us boost our community.”
As part of its agreement with council, the East Butler Baseball Association will maintain the four baseball fields comprising the East Butler complex.
“We will run and take care of the facility,” Drew Mooney said. “We know we have a lot of work to do, but we’re excited about it. Our community will be working together again.
“We know we’re way behind. Other (baseball) associations have had registration going on for months.”
Because of this, the association is offering free registration in an effort to build its numbers back up.
The East Butler Baseball Association offers baseball for ages 3 to 18. Prior to leaving the East Butler complex in 2023, it had roughly 80 players. Sixty stayed with the organization when it shifted to Prospect.
The free registration for East Butler includes a cap and jersey.
The East Butler Baseball Association has one T-ball team in place and is looking to build from there.
“We have no idea where our numbers will wind up,” East Butler Baseball Association member Marie Porter said. “If it’s six kids, 28 kids, whatever, we want to give them a very positive baseball experience.”
Registration is not limited to East Butler residents. Butler City, Butler Township and those living in other nearby municipalities are welcome to sign up, too.
“We’ll take anybody from anywhere,” Regan Mooney said.
Registration can be found online by searching for “East Butler Baseball Association” or “EBBA.”
The East Butler Baseball Complex was developed approximately 75 years ago. It was constructed and had been maintained by volunteers throughout its existence until 2023.
Drew Mooney said the fields “need a lot of work right now, but we’re on it.”
Dess Schnur, who remains involved in East Butler Baseball Association as a volunteer, was director of the complex for years.
“This is all to serve our kids,” Schnur said of the baseball complex. “I believe our Little League field is one of the best in the state.
“I am grateful to council for its efforts to help get this resolved. The stress is behind us now and we can work together as a community again. East Butler baseball is returning to its roots and it’s definitely a win-win outcome for us all.
“We’re home again,” Schnur added.
