City Council, Bridgeport Little League Edge Closer to Common Ground on The Bridge Concession Utilization
By Jeff Toquinto on December 02, 2025
Although no action was taken during a special meeting of Bridgeport City Council, steps were taken to remedy issues that have lingered /Council%2012-1-25%20Shuttleworth.jpg)
for more than a year involving facilities at The Bridge Sports Complex and Bridgeport Little League.
for more than a year involving facilities at The Bridge Sports Complex and Bridgeport Little League.
A pair of agenda items, one specifically addressing Bridgeport Little League, were directed at youth sports. While the first of the agenda items appeared to have support, the second item was determined to need more discussion. Both issues, Mayor Robert Matheny said after the special and regular meeting Monday, will be back for action on a future agenda.
The first items involved waiving certain fees for lighting by Bridgeport specific youth leagues. Interim City Manager Joe Shuttleworth said fees applied for use of lights would be eliminated under changes to policies at The Bridge for Bridgeport Little League, Bridgeport Soccer Association, Bridgeport Girls Softball Association, and Bridgeport Youth Football.
Shuttleworth said The Bridge would lose around $20,000 with the modification, but it would put money directly back into the sports groups /Council%2012-1-25%20Harrison%20Horne.jpg)
that are made up of Bridgeport youth. He said Bridgeport Little League paid around $4,000 this past year in light fees. Shuttleworth also said the fee would remain in place for travel teams that complete in weekend tournaments.
that are made up of Bridgeport youth. He said Bridgeport Little League paid around $4,000 this past year in light fees. Shuttleworth also said the fee would remain in place for travel teams that complete in weekend tournaments.
Matheny said there seemed to be support for the measure by the governing body. However, it was determined that it should be discussed with the second item, which drew lengthy conversation and reached no resolution.
The matter, which has been discussed in Council chambers before, involves Bridgeport Little League’s desire to use the concession facility at The Bridge. The concession facility in question is located at the wagon wheel baseball facility.
Little League President Mark Harrison and Vice President Aaron Horne addressed Council on the matter. Their main concern is centered on the fact that concession facility, located under the press box, is not being staffed by workers from The Bridge Mondays through/Council%2012-1-25%20Campbell.jpg)
Thursdays, the days in which they say the baseball fields are utilized by Bridgeport Little League. Instead, Little League sets up tables and brings in coolers to sell concessions outside the closed concessions area, Harrison said.
Thursdays, the days in which they say the baseball fields are utilized by Bridgeport Little League. Instead, Little League sets up tables and brings in coolers to sell concessions outside the closed concessions area, Harrison said.
As they have in the past, they are asking for permission to utilize the facility with their own product and their staff. Along with providing food in a more convenient manner, they said it would renew a revenue source utilized prior to The Bridge taking over concessions.
Droo Callahan, the general manager of The Bridge, said the issue stems from not being able to provide other youth sports utilizing any aspects of the property the same opportunity to raise funds.
“I don’t know how to look at other sports and not have the same applicable opportunity,” said Callahan, who added in his 25 years of managing facilities this was “new territory” for him. He also added he would abide by whatever decision is made by Council.
Harrison pointed out that when The Bridge was first under construction Little League was approached by Bridgeport Parks and Recreation to use the facility. The point has not been disputed in the past and was not disputed last night. Harrison said that is what separates their youth sport from the others.
After a lengthy back and forth, Council member Jason Campbell– who said it was “insane” that the concession stand is sitting empty and /Council%2012-1-25%20Kinney.jpg)
can’t provide food to those at the facility – made a motion to allow Bridgeport Little League to use the concession stand at the main baseball complex for a trial period of one year. The motion, as stated, never came up for a vote.
can’t provide food to those at the facility – made a motion to allow Bridgeport Little League to use the concession stand at the main baseball complex for a trial period of one year. The motion, as stated, never came up for a vote.
Council member Chris Kinney was the first to speak against moving ahead at Monday’s meeting.
“I don’t think we’re there yet,” said Kinney, in reference to approving Campbell’s motion.
Instead, Campbell eventually modified the motion, although he expressed his dismay about not acting on it Monday. Now, Shuttleworth will meet with Harrison and Horne, as well as with Callahan to discuss options. The options could include a revenue sharing plan suggested by Councilman Clayton Rice where the city would buy the product, store the product, and during days Little League is at the facility, their volunteers would work it and take an agreed cut of proceeds.
Horne also suggested that there was space available in the existing building that could host a refrigeration unit that would be property of Little League to ensure inventory would not be mixed up. That matter would come into play if Little League purchased their own product for sale./Council%2012-1-25%20Rice.jpg)
Whether either of those suggestions advance, or another, remains to be seen. However, Shuttleworth was pleased with the discussion.
“This is a good first step,” Shuttleworth said.
The only other item on the agenda involved Council discussing the recent transfer of a Bridgeport Fire Department pickup truck to the Belington Volunteer Fire Department where recently retired chief Phil Hart is a long-time member. The matter drew plenty of attention, particularly on social media.
The truck in question was a 2017 Ram 1500 that had 127,000 miles on it. The Belington VFD paid $100 for it in late October. In mid-November, the truck was returned to the city. Shuttleworth had told The Exponent Telegram the transfer was based on incomplete /Council%2012-1-25%20Callahan%20Droo.jpg)
information and he and Bridgeport Finance Director Sharon Hinkle thought Council had okayed the transfer.
information and he and Bridgeport Finance Director Sharon Hinkle thought Council had okayed the transfer.
With that not proving to be the case, the truck was returned. Bridgeport, for decades, has given emergency vehicles with high mileage – particularly police vehicles – to small municipalities and communities for similar fees. Shuttleworth told Council Monday he would be collaborating with Police Chief Mark Rogers on the process as his department frequently makes transactions of this nature regarding heavily used vehicles or equipment. He also said he believes there are some modifications that could be made in the existing procedures to make it better. Shuttleworth plans to bring those back to Council.
Kinney said the matter was nothing more than “a mistake.” Kinney, who said he does not do social media, said the situation did not mirror commentary he was told by others that was on those platforms from others.
Check back at Connect-Bridgeport in the days ahead for more from the regular meeting that took place at 7 p.m. last night. Plenty of photos will be posted also in the days ahead on Connect-Bridgeport.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows Interim City Manager Joe Shuttleworth as he addresses Bridgeport Little League officials shown in the second photo - Mark Harrison, left, and Aaron Horne. Third photo shows Council member Jason Campbell followed by fellow Council member Chris Kinney. The fifth photo shows Council member Clayton Rice and the bottom photo is of The Bridge General Manager Droo Callahan.
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