Brewster basefield for youth only

BREWSTER – Council members voted to designate a small playfield and ball diamond abutting residential housing on the far east end of the park bordered by upper West Cliff Avenue and S. Bridge Street as “youth baseball only” at its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, June 12.

The youth restriction was approved to avoid potential liability from baseballs hit over the boundary fence by adult batters and breaking windows or causing other damage to adjacent residences.

Public Works Director Lee Webster reminded council members how the field came into existence in the first place.

“My father sold that field for the express purpose of a little league field in 1976 to the city for ten dollars, said Webster. “Ten dollars.”

The city public works director said he recently confronted a group of adults “with a cooler full of beer batting balls into my backyard.”

After neighbors complained to Webster about the incoming hits, he confronted the party and explained the danger to nearby private property. Webster said his attempt to intervene was ignored so he and his son “spent the next two hours shagging balls.”

Council member Avis Erickson agreed with Webster and said the field was so small that it was not designed for adults.
“Softballs go over the fence,” Mayor Art Smyth said.

With the new ordinance officially in place city attorney Chuck Zimmerman noted that once the notification signs are up Brewster law enforcement now has the authority to address misuse of the field with the potential fine of up to $500 fine for a civil infraction.

Other sports such as soccer, flag football or related activities are not a problem, council members agreed, but adult baseball is prohibited.