Cordova Little League (CLL) players, coaches and volunteers are preparing for Opening Day this month, after the city decided to waive fees for field and Snack Shack access.
The regular registration period opened on April 2 and closed on May 3, however CLL president David Reggiani said the league will be offering a late registration period so everyone who wants to can have the opportunity to play.
“Historically, we do see a small wave of late registrations once practices begin and kids see their friends out on the field,” he said.
There are 10 teams this year: Two tee ball teams, two minor machine pitch teams, three minor pitch teams, and three major teams.
Reggiani said the league is slightly down in registrations from last year, with 111 to date. However, he did say there’s been a boost in players in the 10, 11 and 12-year-old age ranges.
Nearly one-quarter of all the players, 27 of them, are girls.
Practices begin this week, and Opening Day will kick off with a ceremony at 10 a.m. on May 23.
While organizers are busy preparing for the start of the season, one thing they aren’t worrying about is paying to access the baseball facilities.
Cordova’s Parks and Recreation Department this winter received approval to begin charging CLL for field and Snack Shack access, but after pushback from the league and its supporters, the City Council decided last month to waive the fees.
| CLL originally proposed fee schedule | |
| Entity: | Total rate for May & June season: |
| Cordova Municipal Field | $2,243 |
| Field of Dreams | $2,243 |
| Snack Shack | $1,121.50 |
CLL, a nonprofit organization, has long helped to maintain the Cordova Municipal Field, the Field of Dreams, and the Snack Shack with the help of a strong cohort of volunteers. The facilities, however, are owned by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.
“Nearly every family volunteers in some capacity, whether through coaching, umpiring, team management, concessions, field preparation, or other behind-the-scenes support,” Reggiani told The Cordova Times. “That level of volunteer involvement is truly what makes Little League possible in a small community like Cordova.”
Parks and Recreation Director Samantha Hagerthy-Schneider said the department originally proposed the fee schedule in order to cover the costs of liability coverage, maintenance, utilities, compliance, and long-term capital improvements.
The Parks and Recreation fee schedule was approved by the City Council as part of a larger financial package in December 2025, however a few council members admitted they hadn’t realized they were green lighting CLL charges when they signed off on the budget.
During the April 1 regular City Council meeting, some members expressed concern over waiving the fees.
“I do struggle with the fact that this issue became urgent right as the Little League season was beginning, creating an urgency for us,” said Council Member David Zastrow. “I (also) understand the city’s concern on this setting a precedent that anybody with a grievance … could find reason to not have to pay to support our Parks and Rec.”
“This is very much a Band-Aid approach to this whole situation that came upon us,” Council Member Kasey Kinsman added.
In the end, however, council members unanimously agreed to temporarily suspend fees for this summer and work with CLL on a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will better define the city’s and the league’s responsibilities when it comes to the baseball facilities.
This story was updated on May 12 to include new information about the upcoming CLL season.
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