Former State Senator Appointed to Act as Athletic Association Mediator

Former state Senator Sean Logan will meet with two Plum Borough athletic associations interested in serving as the borough baseball/softball organization.

On Monday, Plum Council President Mike Doyle said the Plum Borough Athletic Association and the Plum Baseball and Softball Association—a new group—have been meeting to discuss the future of youth baseball and softball in the borough. They have yet to come to a conclusion.

Logan, who now is the vice president of community relations for UPMC, would be an "impartial third party" who would help the two entities resolve their issues, Doyle said.

"He's a former state senator, and he's well respected in our community," Doyle said. "I don't think anybody would question the man's character. We're all happy he agreed to do this."

Logan, a Plum resident, said Tuesday that representatives of both entities have sought his advice during the dispute. When Doyle asked if he would be willing to sit down with the two baseball/softball organizations, Logan said it was hard to say "no."

"I'm a father of two and a member of the community," he said. "So many kids will potentially be impacted by this dispute."

Borough officials have filed a with Plum District Magistrate Linda Zucco against the PBAA. A hearing has been set for Jan. 24 at 9 a.m.

The effort to terminate the organization's lease—based on —on eight ballfields along Ross Hollow Road began in September.

A detective with the Allegheny County District Attorney's office has charged former PBAA president Richard Claypoole—he resigned last month along with the —with theft by deception; and misapplication of entrusted property and property of government or financial institutions. Claypoole is accused of payments to himself and his business, Richmar with PBAA funds between 2008 and 2011. The association is being investigated by the DA's office for misuse of funds.

The Attorney General's Office, which governs nonprofit organizations, also is investigating the PBAA.

In the midst of the mess, borough residents—some members of the PBAA—formed the new PBSA. A new PBAA executive board also was appointed, leaving the borough with two organizations.

Logan said he hopes the issue can be resolved outside of a courtroom.

"I don't think a judge should be deciding youth sports in the community," he said. "It sends a bad message.

"We need to step back and take a look at what we have to do to cross the finish line and come to a conclusion. I think it's close because both organizations want baseball and softball for the children in plum. If it's for the kids, we're 80 percent there. Now, we have to dot the i's, cross the t's and bring it home."

Doyle said he hopes the two entities can work out a solution for the benefit of the children in the borough.

"We would like to see the board merge," he said. "We need a clean start. It can be with the PBSA or a third entity. This is up to them."