This Sucks

[Granny]

Hi Guys,
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I am writing in the hope that you will be able to generate some support for the Sturt Baseball Club from among you.
My two sons have now played several seasons with this club and they and myself have made some good friends. One of my sons will be directly affected by what is happening as he will be in a under 16 team and although they are still training we don't know if they will be able to play at there own home ground.
What concerns me the most is which club*will be next. The local football club, cricket club, tennis club who?
In a time when everyone is concerned about our young people getting fat due to lack of exercise and a local government body want to evict the Sturt Baseball Club.

Note there are 3 Under 16, 3 under 14 and 3 little league teams.

Please read the following media release.
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Thank you
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Paul.
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*MEDIA RELEASE: Sturt Baseball Club

Friday 31 August 2007

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STURT BASEBALL CLUB FACES EVICTION
Sturt Baseball Club's six senior teams and four Junior Teams face eviction from Norman Reserve, it's home ground of more than 45 years, less than six weeks before the 2007/08 season.

In a move that has shocked players, members and supporters, on Tuesday night the Mitcham Council, the landlord of the playing field, announced that until the club erected nets and other safety measures, only junior baseball up to the U/14 level could be played at the ground.

The Council believed the risk of flying baseballs was too much of a safety risk to residents and the general public. This is despite the clubs insurer, Sportscover Australia, in response to an Audit conducted by Venue Rating Agency (VRA), advising that "VRA did not come to any conclusion that the ground is not safe for baseball to be played- they merely suggested that there are some risk exposures that needed addressing and needed to be confirmed".

Sturt was also informed that despite a previous offer of financial assistance by the Council, the club would have to pay the full cost of the nets, approximately $20,000: money the club simply doesn't have.

Sturt President Phil Robinson said the club was working with the South Australian Baseball League to reschedule all senior games, but the decision had not only put the upcoming season, but also the future of the club in jeopardy.

"This is a crushing blow to the Sturt Baseball Club," Phil said. "We estimate there would be a loss of revenue to the club in excess of $15,000 if no senior games were played at Norman Reserve this season. We are a family-based, community organisation and we just don't have the finances to wear that kind of loss".

Phil said Sturt was proud of its place in the local community and it was very unfortunate that a small number of residents were threatening to cause the club and its hundreds of players and supporters such hardship. Sturt has always tried to promote junior sport and in fact has been the South Australian Baseball League Junior Club of the Year, three years in a row.

"To be hit with something like this just six weeks out from the start of the season is truly disappointing. In more than 45 years of playing baseball at Norman, there has never..not once.. been an insurance claim against the club.

"We are working with the South Australian Baseball League, the Mitcham Council and the Department of Recreation and Sport to find a new home ground in time for the 2008/09 season, when we hope to be celebrating our centenary.

"We are willing to compromise with Council and work with them to find a new home ground as soon as possible, ending this problem for both parties once and for all, and we ask for support and understanding from local residents to help us achieve this."

The Sturt Baseball Club has produced many state and national representatives at both junior and senior levels including a number of Olympians. Six players have brought great honour to the Club, State and the Mitcham Council District by signing US professional contracts.

Tony Catt, Sturt's Divison 1 Coach, said the decision, if it was not resolved, would set a dangerous precedent for amateur sport in South Australia.

"I am sure if every sporting ground in South Australia was assessed professionally for risk there would be few grounds which would not have some issues that needed to be addressed," Tony said.

"Clubs are already struggling like never before, and decisions like this potentially open the floodgates to a whole range of claims which would have a disastrous impact on the sports-loving South Australian public."

The decision also adversely affects the Bridgewater Bulls, which plays at Norman Reserve during the SABL winter season and who are now forced to find a new home, and competitors at the Australian Masters Games, who were scheduled to play at the ground in October at great financial loss to the Sturt Baseball Club.

[fretbuzz]

"The Council believed the risk of flying baseballs was too much of a safety risk to residents and the general public."

But let's release drunk drivers on bail (speaking from the way it works here in the USA)

It sounds to me like the land-owner is looking for an excuse to be rid of the teams. Maybe he has a huge offer for the land from a strip mall developer.

[cmptrmn.1]

Always seems to be the kids or those that don't have the ability to fight for themselves that get the stick.