closed: Resolved #132239

Parks & Playgrounds:

Other: Hi folks, I'm writing to you all about the scoretower at Winslow Sports Park during youth baseball games. I've been going to the ballpark for 8 years, and have kept score during games many times. There is a rule clearly posted in the tower that says that people under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. The BJLBA rule is, I believe, that the visiting team is required to supply someone to run the scoreboard. Many times when I am up in the scoretower, I am the only adult there, but there are many kids running around unattended. Some of these kids are quietly keeping score for a game. Many are running around. I have seen them almost fall out of the window reaching for things that fell on the roof below. I have seen them leaning out to talk or throw things at their friends. I have seen them sitting on the ledges and wrestling. I have seen them standing on the folding chairs. Sooner or later, someone is going to fall out of one of those windows. When I am up there, I don't like the feeling that I am responsible for all those kids. I realize that legally perhaps I am not responsible, but if they are being wild up there, I do feel responsible. If kids are up there without adult supervision, I usually send them down. Today another mother complained, saying that she (and her coach) had told her kids to go up there and keep score and that they do it many times. Another day a kid told me that the Parks and Rec supervisor had said he could go up (and he was one of the rowdier ones). I personally can't distinguish between who is going to do dangerous things and who isn't, and when I am trying to concentrate on keeping score, I don't like trying to keep an eye on a bunch of kids at the same time. If you all think that I am being unreasonable, then I suggest that you change the rule about unaccompanied kids in the tower. My other suggestion is that BJLBA remind coaches and umpires that the visiting teams need to provide an adult to run the scoreboard. Thanks, Deborah Deliyannis

History

6/17/2013 09:06:29 Closed by Anonymous

I am responding to your contact with our department recently regarding concerns at Winslow Sports Park. The following information is from our Sports Coordinator, Dee Tuttle: My name is Dee Tuttle and I manage Winslow Sports Park. I want to respond to the email I received from you in reference to kids running the scoreboard without an adult present. First, you sound like a very reasonable person with a legitimate concern. I have been managing this park for four years and I am aware that kids are sent up to keep score with no supervision. It has been a constant concern and honestly will probably continue to be until we can replace all scoreboards with a wireless control (We have one wireless board at this time and hopefully will be able to purchase three more in the near future. If we have all wireless boards we can eliminate the need for anyone to be up in the scoretowers). I will immediately contact BJLBA with this concern as well as my site supervisors. BJLBA has a board member present each evening/day that practices or games are scheduled. If the supervisor notices the rules being violated they will inform the board member present. The board member can then address the issue by speaking to the visiting team manager. I will also ask them to remind the umpire to review the rule at home plate before the game begins. Thank you, Dee Thank you again for contacting us. Feedback from park users and customers is very important to us in helping keep our parks, facilities, and programs safe. If you have further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

6/17/2013 09:05:58 Anonymous contacted Anonymous

Judy e-mailed response from Dee Tuttle: I am responding to your contact with our department recently regarding concerns at Winslow Sports Park. The following information is from our Sports Coordinator, Dee Tuttle: My name is Dee Tuttle and I manage Winslow Sports Park. I want to respond to the email I received from you in reference to kids running the scoreboard without an adult present. First, you sound like a very reasonable person with a legitimate concern. I have been managing this park for four years and I am aware that kids are sent up to keep score with no supervision. It has been a constant concern and honestly will probably continue to be until we can replace all scoreboards with a wireless control (We have one wireless board at this time and hopefully will be able to purchase three more in the near future. If we have all wireless boards we can eliminate the need for anyone to be up in the scoretowers). I will immediately contact BJLBA with this concern as well as my site supervisors. BJLBA has a board member present each evening/day that practices or games are scheduled. If the supervisor notices the rules being violated they will inform the board member present. The board member can then address the issue by speaking to the visiting team manager. I will also ask them to remind the umpire to review the rule at home plate before the game begins. Thank you, Dee Thank you again for contacting us. Feedback from park users and customers is very important to us in helping keep our parks, facilities, and programs safe. If you have further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

6/10/2013 09:48:48 Anonymous followed up on this ticket

forwarded to John Turnbull for response

6/10/2013 08:24:41 Anonymous assigned this case to Anonymous

6/10/2013 08:24:41 Opened by Anonymous

uReport

City of Bloomington, Indiana