By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
A summer baseball collegiate league is set to come to Salina.
City Commissioners voted on Monday to move forward with executing a facility use agreement with an organization, Salina Sports LLC for Summer Collegiate Games to take place at Dean Evans Stadium.
National Sports Services (NSS) contacted the City about this possibility back in November 2024.
The City then advised NSS to reach out to Salina Baseball Enterprises (SBE) to garner support from them, and discuss the tentative coordination of scheduling games.
According to the City on August 11, 2025, Matt Perry with NSS approached the Berkley Family Recreational Area (BFRA) Advisory Board regarding a request to use Dean Evans as a location for the Diamond Baseball League starting in the 2026 summer baseball season.
Diamond League teams will play a schedule of approximately 60 games (30 home, 30 away) between the end of May and the end of July, with League Playoffs anticipated for completion during the first week of August.
NSS is seeking a 5-year agreement with the City of Salina for use of Dean Evans Stadium for this league. However, they would consider a 3-year agreement if the City would prefer a lesser term.
A 25% reduction for the adult base rental rates for games and the inclusion into the priority scheduling of the stadium. The rental fees collected would contribute to the fund for future turf replacement.
In consideration of the reduction of base rental rates and the inclusion into the priority scheduling, NSS would provide, in kind, a concession trailer and operate concession services at the facility, a merchandise trailer, and a shade structure with tables and seating.
A team name is to be determined in the future.
The BFRA Advisory Board voted to recommend the City Commission to approve the proposal from NSS. NSS recently established a local organization named Salina Sports LLC (SSLLC). Based on the recommendation from the BFRA Advisory Board, staff advanced conversations with SSLLC to assist in the development of a Facility Use Agreement with City Legal Counsel
The City will have expenses related to providing the infrastructure improvements at Dean Evans Stadium for electrical and water to serve the concession and merchandise trailers. This is estimated to be a one-time cost of $16,200.
Additionally, the City will incur the additional expense of the utility use for the concession and merchandise trailer.
With an estimated number of games to be held at Dean Evans of 30 per season of the Summer Collegiate League, the estimated per game fee to be collected is $225 resulting in an estimated revenue of $6,750.
Estimated revenue over the proposed 5-year facility use agreement is $33,750.
According to Perry, employment opportunities to serve in the League for Dean Evans will be available.