Cheers! Per a town council decision earlier this month, The Ballpark will now be allowed to be a site for liquor sales, whether it’s during ball games or other events.

The new ordinance would allow the sale of alcohol in The Ballpark by any interested organization, pending approval from the town council under an agreement with the hosting entity.

This means the Raging Tide baseball team ”“ The Ballpark’s first home team in more than 20 years ”“ will be able to bring in revenue from beer sales throughout their season. As well, those who host off-season events can also seek a special event permit to sell liquor there, too.

We applaud the council’s decision and are glad this ordinance was passed without public outcry or controversy.

Beer is big business in these parts, with several signature local brews that offer tourists a taste of Maine craftsmanship. At the Sea Dogs stadium in Portland, Shipyard brews ”“ created right at Federal Jack’s in Kennebunkport ”“ are served as another way to connect fans with the local flavor.

We hope Raging Tide owner Doug Ayotte, whose request to sell beer during games was the impetus for the ordinance, will choose a York County beer such as Shipyard to give the Old Orchard Beach Ballpark that southern Maine flavor and support the local brewing industry. Perhaps they could even strike a deal with Sebago Brewing or Run of the Mill Brew Pub to get other local, handcrafted brews available and draw visitors to those restaurants as well.

It’s part of the tourism experience to take in local foods and what better place than at the newly refurbished Ballpark, while watching the all-American pastime? Beer and baseball seem like a natural combination ”“ maybe it’s those peanuts and Cracker Jacks.

Of course, any time alcohol is added to an event, it’s prudent to be concerned about people becoming intoxicated, but the new ordinance requires a contract with the town that will allow councilors to put limits on how beer is sold. At the Sea Dogs stadium, for example, beer sales end well before the end of the game so people have time to sober up, if needs be, before heading home. Old Orchard Beach councilors could choose a similar restriction for the Raging Tide games or even come up with a way to limit how many beers one person can purchase. For one-time events at The Ballpark, rules can be constructed to fit the particular needs presented, per the special event permit.

All in all, this ordinance allows The Ballpark to tie in with the tourist economy in the area and promote and support other local businesses. It will be another small way for the team to earn money and help keep this venue ”“ which so many people worked so hard to renovate and bring back to life ”“ viable for years to come.

Ӣ Ӣ Ӣ

Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via e-mail at kristenm@journaltribune.com.