The Brantford Red Sox facing grim future

The Brantford Red Sox may be facing a grim future following years of struggles on the field and off it. The Intercounty Baseball League club is dealing with a lack of revenue and a recent theft at its home.

The century-old amateur team sits at 0-18 in the 2022 Intercounty Baseball League season and is now seeking financial help. Co-owner Connie Pomerleau says on top of its thin budget of $31,000 this year the team ad a break-in and theft in March which saw the loss of equipment worth thousands of dollars at the team’s home field Arnold Anderson Stadium.

Pomerleau is appealing to city hall saying there is a vandalism fund for losses and damages. She adds the team’s insurance only covers the theft during the team’s season from May through September.

The city of Brantford which owns the ballpark responded to CHCH News saying “…the city’s agreement with the Red Sox stipulates that equipment is not to be left in the facility in the off-season.” However, “the type of financial support that could be provided by city council could include waiving facility fees and/or helping to fund the cost to replace the equipment that was stolen.”

Ownership tells CHCH News there has been a lack of sponsorship and it faces a grim financial situation that could impact its future.

Pomerleau says for the entire season and before player travel expenses it costs nearly 70 per cent of her budget to operate games.

City hall says discussions have begun regarding assistance for the ball club.