Mediation date set for Joplin Blasters/Sodexo lawsuit

A 9 a.m. September 19 date has been set for a mediation session in the lawsuit filed by Sodexo Operations against the Joplin Blasters.

A filing Friday in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri says the session will take place at the Metropolitan Bar Association in Springfield.

Sodexo, which handled concessions for the Blasters during the team's inaugural season, but was then cut loose, filed the breach of contract lawsuit May 2, asking or $187,124.25, plus attorney fees and court costs.

According to the petition, the Blasters sent a letter to Sodexo January 25, saying the baseball team had failed to meet its revenue projections during its first year and "had to make deep cuts in its operating budget, including cuts in the concession management services."

On February 19, Sodexo responded, demanding payment of the unamortized amount of the $200,000 the company had put into the Blasters, as well as return of signage and remaining inventory.

On May 23, the Blasters filed a counterclaim alleging Sodexo failed to pay commission on concessions.