An Open Letter to Our Bartlett Baseball Community

From: Mike Hogan, President, Bartlett Baseball (Bartlett–Hanover Park Sports Association)
Date: November 5, 2025

Neighbors, players, coaches, and partners,

Bartlett Baseball exists to serve families. Our mission is simple: build better ballplayers and even better people through safe fields, organized seasons, and year-round development. As we kick off a new chapter with a young, energized leadership team, I want to share how our league operates, how we steward the fields we all love, and what’s ahead.

How We Operate

Guided by our League Management and Player Development frameworks, we run on three pillars:

• Clear seasons & communication: predictable calendars, transparent policies, and quick responses to families and partners.

• Coach support & player pathways: age-appropriate skills progressions, consistent teaching standards, and opportunities for motivated players to advance without losing the fun of community ball.

• Facility care & safety first: we invest league dollars into the places kids actually play—because great fields create great experiences.

Where We Play & Who Maintains What

Koehler Park (Fields 1–5) + Concession Stand

Ownership/Lease: The Village owns the land and leases it to Bartlett Baseball at no cost.

Responsibility: Bartlett Baseball is solely responsible for all field and facility maintenance and upkeep. This is where the majority of our revenue is spent—on mowing, infield mix, clay, mound/box rebuilds, chalk/paint, repairs, and safe-play standards.

Park District Fields A, B, C (also at Koehler): These are maintained by the Park District. Over the last few years, we’ve built a strong working relationship that allows our league access to these fields as scheduling needs arise. We’re grateful for that partnership.

Ruzicka Memorial Park (Five Fields)

Ownership: The Village owns the land.

Seasonal Maintenance Split:
• March 1 – July 31: Bartlett Baseball maintains the grounds.
• August 1 – Winter: Midwest Raiders maintain the grounds.

Utilities: Years ago, it was agreed that Bartlett Baseball pays the utility bills year-round and then back-charges Raiders Football for their season’s share, with a 30-day grace period that was historically honored. Recently, that grace period has slipped, and we are working to bring it back into alignment through clear, timely invoicing and cooperative communication.

Hanover Park Baseball Fields

Ownership/Lease: The Midwest Water Reclamation District owns the land and leases it to the Village of Hanover Park to manage.

Standing Agreement (since 1958): The fields were designated for Hanover Park Little League use—today that’s our combined program under Bartlett–Hanover Park Sports Association (Bartlett Baseball).

Current Issue: In the past year, a representative from the Village began exploring rental use (e.g., tournaments) that displaces our program. We are actively engaging to reaffirm the long-standing community agreement so these fields continue serving the youth and families they were intended to serve.

What’s Happening Now

• Indoor Training Facility (opens December 1, 2025): We’re finalizing our winter home in partnership with Bartlett Cheer Association. This collaboration strengthens our shared mission to serve local youth and gives our players a reliable, weather-proof space to learn and train.

• Field Improvements at Koehler: Under our Head of Fields, Matt Malinowski, crews are leveling surfaces, rebuilding pitcher’s mounds and batter’s boxes, and tightening standards across diamonds.

• Major Facility Visioning: We’ve initiated conversations about significant upgrades at Koehler—thoughtful improvements that would raise the experience for every division, from Tee Ball to Majors, and for our partner families and visitors.

How Your Fees Are Used

• Infield mix and clay, mound/box materials, edging, drags, and chalk/paint

• Safety repairs (fencing, gates, benches, bullpens), irrigation and drainage fixes

• Equipment upkeep (mowers, drags, liners), lighting checks, concession stand needs

• Indoor facility access for winter training and coach education resources

What We Need From the Community

• Volunteers: Field workdays, scorekeeping, team parents, concession shifts—there’s a role for every schedule.

• Sponsors & Partners: Help us accelerate Koehler upgrades and offset maintenance costs that keep fees stable.

• Constructive Partnership: With the Village, Park District, and neighboring programs, we’re at our best when everyone rows in the same direction. We’ll keep showing up in good faith and ask the same in return.

• Timely Utilities Reconciliation at Ruzicka: Returning to the 30-day standard keeps both organizations healthy and our fields game-ready.

Our Promise

We will safeguard access to our community fields, invest the dollars you entrust to us back into safe, well-kept facilities, and keep building a program that welcomes every child while creating clear pathways for those who want to chase the next level. We’re not perfect, but we are relentless about improving.

With appreciation and resolve,

Mike Hogan
President, Bartlett Baseball (Bartlett–Hanover Park Sports Association)
[email protected] • 847-477-3095