The Town of Chesapeake Beach is facing mounting criticism over its handling of Kellam’s field and its relationship with the Beach Buccaneers Youth Club. In recent weeks, frustrations have escalated after the club’s leadership alleged misrepresentation of the town’s support for youth sports programs, leading to public backlash and misinformation. The conflict culminated in the Buccaneers denying a traditional $5,000 grant presentation from the town during a recent pep rally, further straining relations.
In response, the town has released a detailed account to clarify the facts surrounding its long-standing support for youth sports programs and its management of Kellam’s field, which the town owns and maintains. The town cites a series of instances where it has continued to provide resources for the youth sports teams, while also highlighting the growing tensions caused by the youth club’s leadership actions.
Kellam’s Field Ownership and Maintenance
Kellam’s field, used by local youth teams including the Beach Buccaneers, is owned entirely by the Town of Chesapeake Beach. Over the years, the town has invested significantly in the field’s maintenance and upgrades. Initially, the town shared ownership of the field with the Calvert County Board of County Commissioners. In October 2020, the county transferred full ownership of the field to the town to address ongoing flooding and maintenance challenges.
The town spends an average of $150,000 annually to maintain the field. These costs cover essential services such as playing surface maintenance and lighting but do not include additional costs like staff wages or grants provided to youth teams. In fiscal year 2025, the town has budgeted $350,000 for capital improvements at Kellam’s field, including a new storm drain system to resolve water issues, improvements to the concession stand, and annual maintenance.
During fiscal year 2024, the town spent approximately $110,000 to maintain the field and upgrade its lighting system with LED bulbs to support youth sports activities.
Free Access to Youth Sports Teams
Local youth teams, including the Beach Buccaneers, access Kellam’s field through the town’s “Youth Sports Provider” (YSP) agreements. These agreements allow nonprofit youth sports teams to use the field for practices and games at no cost, provided they adhere to the town’s policies. Teams are required to submit schedules to the town for approval and must comply with federal, state, and local regulations, including financial transparency.
The YSP agreements also prohibit nonprofit organizations like the Beach Buccaneers from engaging in political activities, as stipulated by IRS regulations for 501(c)(3) organizations. The town has stressed the importance of these requirements, noting that the Beach Buccaneers Youth Club must comply with these rules while utilizing public resources, such as Kellam’s field.
Youth Sports Club Public Financial and Non-Profit Information Beach Buccaneers Youth Club 2023 Federal Form 990 click here.
2021 Federal Form 990 click here.
2018 Federal Form 990 click here.
2016 Federal Form 990 click here.
View the Board of Director approved budget.
Town’s Efforts to Support Homecoming Event
The conflict between the town and the Beach Buccaneers escalated in the lead-up to the team’s Homecoming games on October 12, 2024. The town worked with the team to permit food trucks for the event and waived permit fees to support the team financially. Despite these efforts, the Beach Buccaneers scheduled additional vendors and equipment, including a moon bounce, without notifying the town or seeking the required approvals. As a result, town staff had to remove the unauthorized moon bounce during the event.
The town reiterated its commitment to ensuring that all vendors and activities on public property, such as Kellam’s field, comply with town regulations. These requirements include insurance documentation, business licenses, and health department certifications for vendors. The town also emphasized the need for careful coordination to protect public infrastructure and ensure safe operations.
Concession Stand Upgrades
Over the past several months, the town has invested $50,000 in upgrading the concession stand at Kellam’s field to meet health department standards. The town worked closely with local business owner Gary Luckett to complete the improvements, which transformed the previously non-compliant facility into a fully certified concession stand.
While the concession stand was completed before the Beach Buccaneers’ Homecoming event, final approval from the health department was still pending. The town offered the team a one-day event license to operate the stand if health department certification could be obtained in time, but the team did not provide the necessary information to move forward.
Town’s Commitment to Youth Sports
Despite the recent tensions, the Town of Chesapeake Beach remains committed to supporting its youth sports programs. The town asserts that it has acted in the best interest of all citizens and the local youth, and will continue to maintain and improve Kellam’s field for the benefit of the community.
In a closing statement, the town emphasized its dedication to fostering an environment that benefits the local youth, while also ensuring responsible management of public resources.
