City raises Scorpions' fees to use baseball stadium

The Yuma Scorpions have a home in the city for the next three years but it will cost the Golden Baseball League more money to keep them here.

The city has revised its agreement with the league and its parent company, Diamond Sports and Entertainment, Inc., for use of the Ray Kroc Memorial Baseball Complex.

The revisions increase the cost for facility use per game from $1,200 to $1,400 for the 2008 and 2009 seasons.

That will go up to $1,500 per game in 2010.

Mike Marshall, Scorpions' manager and president, said the increases will pay for incremental costs of maintenance, upkeep and other expenses the city has to cover for the building. He said he is satisfied with the agreement.

"They'll be some incremental increases as the years go on but we feel like it's a very fair deal," Marshall said.

He added these costs would not be passed on to fans. Attendees will even get a break on parking costs this season.

Part of the revised agreement is that parking will now be free at the complex. In the past, there has been a $3 charge.

"Nothing really has changed. We'll try to make up the revenue. Hopefully more fans will come because there is parking," Marshall said.

The Yuma City Council approved the revised agreement during its regular Wednesday meeting.

The baseball complex and Desert Sun Stadium are city facilities, which the league leases for use by the Scorpions.

The Scorpions completed three seasons in Yuma in 2007. This agreement keeps the team here until 2010.

The team's 2008 regular season begins May 22 in Yuma, when the Scorpions will face the Chico Outlaws.

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Sarah Reynolds can be reached at
sreynolds@yumasun.com or 539-6847.