Vandals cause up to $1K in damages to Patterson Park baseball field

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

DAYTON – With opening day this weekend, Patterson Park Youth Baseball must work at a fast pitch to repair hundreds of dollars in damages after someone took a joy ride though the ballpark.

“We’re sure it wasn’t anything personal. But yet it was something that was certainly a personal affront to the work that they’ve done,” said Jim Murphy, Patterson Park Youth Baseball president, of the organization’s volunteers.

The incident literally came out of left field after someone drove their car through an outfield gate and tore up the wet field at the park, located near Irving Avenue. The ballpark is used by a number of local teams and leagues, including Oakwood Junior High baseball and softball, University of Dayton baseball club and other youth teams, Murphy said.

RELATED: Son disputes mother’s claims in local restaurant lawsuit

The field is not suitable for play, and will cost between $500 and $1,000 to repair, Murphy said.

“Some of them are simply depressions,” Murphy said of the ruts. “Some of them are actual torn turf. They circled around a few times through the infield, through the outfield and took off.”

The baseball league is working with Dayton police to identify the culprit. Meanwhile, work begins Thursday to get the field ready for play.

“It’s turf,” Murphy said. “It’s soil. Anybody that knows baseball, knows turf and soil are the foundation of the game.

“We’re going to restore it and we’re going to get those games on.”

DOWNLOAD our free mobile apps for breaking news and weather

About the Author