Commissioners Cris Siler, David Kesling and Chris See, who were each present at the meeting, first heard from Elkins American Legion manager Phil Wilson, who said his team needed funding help for the upcoming season.

“One of the things we are really proud about is the fact that we are the only American Legion program in the entire state, and probably the nation, that doesn’t require a player fee for any of our players,” said Wilson, who is in his fourth year as manager. “Baseball is an expensive sport for parents when they have to buy bats, gloves, etc. We don’t want to have to ask them to pay any fees, we just want to get as many kids as we can to play summer baseball.”

Wilson said because Post 29 doesn’t charge players to play, the program needs funding to help with traveling expenses and equipment that will be used throughout the year.

“We have a great deal of traveling that we do, and that’s part of the reason we’re here asking for funds,” Wilson said.

The Inter-Mountain photo by Edgar Kelley The Randolph County Commission approved a funding request from Elkins American Legion baseball at its regular meeting on Thursday. Commissioners, front left, Chris See, David Kesling and Cris Siler were presented a plaque of appreciation from Post 29 manager Phil Wilson for the RCC’s years of support.

He said the team’s roster size has continued to grow over the last four years and is now made up mostly of players who attend Elkins and Tygarts Valley high schools.

“When I took over four years ago, about 10 percent of our roster was Randolph County kids,” said Wilson. “As you know, with Legion baseball, we take in multiple high schools. Our home base is Elkins High, Tygarts Valley, Philip Barbour and Tucker County. Right now our roster is about 90% Elkins High and Tygarts Valley kids.”

As part of his team’s schedule this year, Wilson said Legion squads from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida will be coming to Elkins to battle his team.

“The team from Florida has typically been staying in the southern part of the state when they visit, but now they are coming here because they love the Elkins area,” Wilson said. “All the teams from the other states also love it here as well. The area is incredible and Robin Harvey Field is a great place to play.”

Kesling said he was proud of the relationship the commission has built with the American Legion baseball program over the last several years.

“We’ve had a great partnership with you guys and we’ve also helped with some of the things needed at Robin Harvey Field, like the new bleachers,” Kesling said. “You guys are getting people to come here from out of town and stay at our hotels. The tax we collect from when they stay here is what we use to fund things like this… I think this is a very worthwhile cause and we’ve had a long history of partnership with the Legion, and I want that to continue on.”

Siler applauded the efforts of Wilson and his staff and was especially pleased that Post 29 doesn’t charge its players to play.

“I’m just really happy with the job you’ve done, Phil, you and your coaches have done a wonderful job of getting kids involved,” said Siler. “To cut the expenses off the parents and try to make it easier on them is great. A lot of kids don’t get to play because families don’t have money, especially with the economy in the shape that it’s in. Anything we can do to help you with that, it’s great.”

Kesling made a motion to approve a funding request from the Elkins American Legion in the amount of $8,000. Siler and See unanimously approved and the money will be taken from the county budget’s hotel-motel tax line item.

After the meeting, Wilson presented the commission with a plaque of appreciation for its support the past four years.

Brian Thompson was next on the agenda and spoke on behalf of the Elkins Energy Youth Sports basketball teams.

“Our program consists of travel teams that travel the area,” Thompson said. “Right now we have approximately 50 to 60 kids that are involved in playing basketball with us.”

Thompson said even though there is a fee for the players to play with Elkins Energy, there are fees for the teams to play in the tournaments they compete in out of town.

“We have to pay entry fees to enter these tournaments and sometimes it’s for entire weekends if we travel out of state, or to Charleston, Huntington or somewhere like that,” he said. “Those trips require overnight stays, so any funding you guys could help us with would be greatly appreciated.”

Kesling said he wanted to increase last year’s amount — $500 — to $1,000 this year. Siler and See agreed on the increase, with the money being taken from the county budget’s hotel-motel tax line item.