Please stay off permit-use baseball diamonds: Chatham-Kent official

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is asking the public’s co-operation in staying off baseball diamonds marked as permit-use only.

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The diamonds require regular maintenance so they’re prepared properly for permit holders, such as minor ball associations and recreational leagues, municipal staff said in a release Wednesday.

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But a number of people haven’t been getting the message.

“We’ve had a few instances this season where our grass-cutting contractors have been unable to cut the field because of the presence of unauthorized groups who refused to vacate,” said Ian Clark, the municipality’s parks, recreation and cemeteries manager.

“If we cannot cut the grass on schedule, then it results in poor facility conditions.”

Maintenance days and times are communicated with contractors so they know when they should be able to access fields or diamonds to cut grass.

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Unauthorized infield activity on permit-use only diamonds also means more work for volunteers, coaches and players who clean the infield before their bookings for better quality play, the release added.

Sport fields without permit-use only signs are open for casual use by the public, but should be vacated when maintenance workers or permit holders arrive, the release said.

Fields also should not be used in wet conditions because this could cause damage the grounds, it added.

The municipality will not allow play on fields or diamonds if there’s visible ponding of water on the surface and the field is saturated.

For more information on Chatham-Kent’s recreational fields, including regulations and bookings, visit chatham-kent.ca/explore/Venues/Pages/Sports-Field-Rentals.aspxcall 519-360-1998, or email [email protected]

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