Collegiate-level baseball play will continue at Hyde Stadium in 2023.
Tonight, the Pierre City Commission approved a facility use agreement with Zap Baseball and Independence League Baseball. The group will take the place of the Pierre Trappers and the Expedition League which previously had an agreement with the City to use Hyde Stadium.
“The lease agreement with the Trappers expired this year, and the City issued a request for proposals from teams or leagues interested in using Hyde,” said Pierre City Administrator Kristi Honeywell.
The new three-year agreement is structured much the same as the previous lease agreement and entitles Zap Baseball to 41 games each season at Hyde Stadium. It also establishes scheduling preference for Post 8 practice and play.
Honeywell says that staff feels good about the proposal brought forward by Zap Baseball.
“The new team will be locally managed and much of its financial backing is coming from local investors,”
said Honeywell. “I fully anticipate that they will be an excellent partner to Post 8 and other interested community organizations.”
The new Pierre team will be part of the Independence League which has members scattered throughout the Great Plains region.
“Baseball is a well-supported sport in this community,” said Pierre Mayor Steve Harding. “I’m pleased we can continue this level of baseball play here in central South Dakota.”
The City’s request for proposals (RFP) was issued in late July. A four-person panel comprised of city staff, a Post 8 representative, and a member of the City Parks and Recreation Board reviewed and recommended the Zap proposal. No other proposals were received through the RFP process.