Montebello : City Urged to Intervene in Management of Ball Leagues

About 20 parents appealed to the City Council this week to take control of the nonprofit association that operates most of Montebello’s youth softball and baseball leagues.

The parents told council members that the Montebello Baseball Assn. is being mismanaged and has not accounted for more than $100,000 of league funds. The state attorney general’s office has announced plans to audit the association.

“I pray that you understand we need help. Don’t look the other way anymore,” said Ben Hinojos, a parent and youth league coach. Hinojos asked council members to either accept bids on a new baseball association run by parents or have the city take over the program completely.

City Administrator Richard Torres told the parents that he would arrange meetings with parents and parks officials and association members to address the parents’ concerns. Councilman William Molinari agreed that city intervention was needed, a viewpoint he has expressed in the past. “This kind of dissent in the program can’t help but affect the kids,” Molinari said.

Molinari has been accused by association commissioner Larry Salazar of having a personal vendetta against him stemming from an unsuccessful bid for a City Council seat. Salazar has denied there is anything wrong with the management or operation of the league, which annually arranges more than 1,200 games for more than 700 children and teen-agers.