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CALHOUN HIGH BASEBALL FIELD ON WRONG ANGLE - Sunlight Creates Safety Problems, Home Games On Hold |
| (03/20/2001) |
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By Bob Weaver Home baseball games will be delayed at Calhoun High School for safety reasons, according to Roger Propst, sports and facilities administrator. He told members of the Calhoun County Athletic Complex Committee last night there are problems with sunlight in players eyes. The new field is positioned wrongly and cannot be turned around. CCACC President Kelley Houchin said "The CCACC fundraising group did not have anything to do with the field being built wrongly." She said the group did supply labor, donated materials and money to build the backstop and fencing. "CCACC members discussed the problem in the beginning," she said. School officials responded by saying they were aware of the situation, but the site preparation was already completed. About $500,000 was spent on site development. "Everyone knew all along the field was oriented wrong," said Propst. "It doesn't look like the problem is insurmountable." Baseball coach Roscoe Gainer said the sunlight is in the eyes of the batters and catchers, and could create a dangerous situation. Administrator Donnie Pitts said the current field was the only configuration that was affordable. He said it would have taken an additional $200,000 to turn the field away from the sunlight problem. Propst said "It was not something on which I made a decision." He said the architects recommendation was accepted. School board member Ralph Cunningham said "It was the best we could do with the money we had." Propst said a sun screen system would not work, but the school was looking into ways they could start games about 4 p.m. to beat the sunlight problem. "The downside would be the game would cut into instructional time," said Propst. Other issues at the CCACC meeting was a concern about reduced dimensions for the concession stand. Pitts said the concrete floors are about ready to be poured and the building is on schedule. The facilities building walls blew down last December during a wind storm, after which some CCACC members became upset when they were advised the project was not insured. They said Propst told the group the project was covered by school board insurance. The contractor for the project did replace the walls at no additional cost. Houchin said she is hopeful a large crowd will turn out for the Johnny Staats - Jake Krack Concert this Saturday evening. She told the group that local volunteers had donated 1542 hours on the athletic fields and 364 hours on fund raising activities. |
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