I read with much interest the article penned by Bryce Phillips in the Sunday edition on the impending move to let Boyd Sports take over the operations of the Elizabethton Twins.

Many thoughts passed through my mind as I read the interview with Mike Mains who has overseen the Twins for the last 20 years as the General Manager and has had a long run of success and recognition in that role.

I have known Mains for several years as we first became acquainted through church league rec basketball.

He and his family are fine people who have done an amazing job promoting the Twins in Elizabethton as a family-wholesome place to bring your kids and grandkids and enjoy an evening of baseball and entertainment between innings of the game.

Concerns quickly entered my mind as I continued to read the article with the first and foremost being that Boyd Sports is a for-profit business who recently took over operations for the Johnson City Cardinals, and the first thing that was done was to bring alcohol into the ballpark in Johnson City.

It was no surprise as to make money at any of the local Appalachian League games it wasn’t going to be made alone at the gate or the concession stand peddling hot dogs, popcorn, and Coca-Cola or Pepsi products.

So, does that mean that when and if Boyd Sports takes over that the same will be available at Joe O’Brien Field as a means of driving revenue?

I, for one, certainly hope not as it will take what was a once family-oriented event that often had promotions covered by many local churches to an event where many might think twice about taking their children or grandchildren.

Yes, alcohol does draw large crowds to events, but often the crowd doesn’t come for the game it comes for the opportunity to indulge.

After hearing of the pending decision upcoming on Boyd Sports taking the reins, I almost had wished that the Elizabethton City Council had decided to forgo putting all that money into keeping the Twins here.

In reading all the projects that the Elizabethton Recreation Department has going on, it almost seems that that money could have been divided over the projects Mains mentioned including the building of a Sports Complex which could draw softball and baseball tournaments as well as possibly soccer tournaments into the city and add to the overall bottom dollar of Carter County.

And if the Twins were to remain under Mains leadership, possibly taking some of that money to hire an assistant general manager and a couple of other part-time paid positions that could relieve some of the burdens on Mains, maybe even allowing for a little fishing and vacation time for Mains.

The second question is if Boyd Sports does take over operations, what will be required of the city regarding monies that will have to be paid for the upkeep of the stadium such as utilities and other expenses.

There are many questions that hopefully will be brought to light over the course of this dating process between the Twins, City of Elizabethton, and Boyd Sports.

I have enjoyed many Twin ballgames over the years in an environment where it felt safe to bring my kids and previous ball teams that I coached to take in a game.

I only hope that the decisions going forth will keep that family environment in place so that my son can bring my grandson to enjoy the great game of baseball and see future stars being born right here in little old Elizabethton as I did seeing the likes of Kirby Puckett, Jeff Reed, Daryl Strawberry and many others over the course of the years.