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04/20/2016 04:19 PMFor the second year in a row, vandalism has hit Branford Little League (BLL) property at the town's Sliney Field. The latest bout extensively damaged brand-new batting cage netting this weekend, with sections sliced to shreds just hours after volunteers completed installation. Adding insult to injury, efforts to repair the damage the next day were met with even more slashing that night.
"We're trying to do our best for kids, and somebody's really hampering that," said BLL president Scott Villa. "We feel like we're sitting ducks."
Villa said the recent vandalism to the netting is a repeat of netting damage that took place last season. The vandal or vandals keep hitting an exterior batting cage, owned by BLL, which is located outside of the field fence. The cage was donated to the league by a family a few years back. Due to repeated damage caused to the netting last year, this year, BLL invested in brand-new net to install for the 2016 season, which opens on April 23. The new net didn't last more than a few hours before it was ruined.
A second batting cage, inside the ball field, is owned by the town and has not been damaged.
"It's unfortunate. We just put it up," said Villa. "We have 350 kids as league, and maybe two-thirds take batting practice; and now we have one batting cage. We're going to have issues with coaches to get kids warmed up."
Sliney Field has its own entrance drive off South Montowese Street, but can be reached on foot from Foote Park. The Little League field is tucked behind Foote Park's tennis courts and a portion of Foote Park's main parking lot. The damage to the netting was done to two sides of the batting cage on the end nearest to Foote Park's parking lot.
"Last year, we noticed there were some incidents that were taking place and chalked it up to vandalism," said Villa. "We noticed the netting would get sliced up; we'd fix it; and it would get sliced up again. It got to the point we couldn't repair it anymore, so this year, part of our maintenance drive was we would buy a new net for the batting cage."
Last year's damage also included two clubhouse windows broken out. Recently, Villa said, damage to locks on the clubhouse doors has been noted. Last year's netting damage and broken windows were reported to police; and two new reports were made following the damage to the new netting on Saturday and Sunday. But, Villa said, "...there's really not much they can do."
To combat what appears to be an ongoing assault to the cage and other property at the field, the BLL board has made the decision to invest in security cameras and other deterrents, said Villa. The unexpected dip into the league's budget means BLL needs to rely more than ever on community support and fundraising, including an upcoming benefit set for May 6 at Stony Creek Brewery.
"We're planning on installing some security cameras and the funds from the fundraiser May 6 at Stony Creek Brewery will be going directly toward a security system," said Villa. "We're also thinking of putting in a second batting cage inside the complex, and fencing around it with a lock."
Villa said its "unfortunate" that vandalism is marring an otherwise inspiring community program that has hundreds of excited kids ready to play ball come this Saturday. Special Opening Day ceremony events planned for April 23 at Sliney Field include a flag raising program as well as parade led by the Branford High School Hornets mascot and Stony Creek Fife & Drum Corps.
"We're a new board this year and we're trying our best to make this a Branford community feeling down at the field in everything we do," said Villa. "We have a lot of great sponsors for Branford Little League; whatever their specialty is, they donate their services to help the league."
As news of this most recent vandalism begins to spread, some other Branford organizations are also reaching out help BLL. This week, the Branford Youth Football board pledged to donate $200 toward the purchase of security cameras.
"All of those people are upset by this, too," said Villa. "We have a great thing going; and a lot of volunteers who are working really hard. As a league, we're very upset this is happening."
BLL will host its first annual "Give to Grow" fundraiser at Stony Creek Brewery, 5 Indian Neck Avenue, on Friday, May 6 from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Event includes open bar (beer, wine, soda) and light dinner (provided by Donovan's Reef), Silent Auction and raffle baskets. All proceeds benefit non-profit BLL. Tickets, $50, available at http://branfordlittleleague.net/ Tickets will also be on sale during Opening Day ceremonies at Sliney Field, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m., Sat. April 23. For more information email spjarvis14@gmail.com or tracysotero@gmail.com