The absence of safety netting between the baseball diamond and the youth soccer pitch nearest to the overpass in Veterans Park has caused the City of North Bay to cease holding matches on the south end of Veterans Field until further notice.
The City of North Bay stresses no one has been hit and is calling the move precautionary.
Effective immediately, the south side of Veterans Field will no longer be used for youth soccer until the safety netting can be installed. Youth soccer programming will continue on the north end of Veterans Field, which is farther from home plate. Some of the scheduled soccer matches will be moved to nearby ONR Field.
In April, North Bay City Council acted on a staff recommendation and unanimously approved a $129,975 contract to Sport Systems Canada Inc. for the supply and installation of baseball field safety netting at Veterans Park. Moving the baseball diamond, renovated for $700,000 in recent years was not an option. Three years ago, the complex also received another $850,000 in new LED lighting.
According to a City of North Bay staff report, "Last year the risk of foul balls landing in the area around the youth soccer was identified due to the increased number of players and spectators in the area where foul balls could be hit. It was determined that an installation of baseball field safety netting between the baseball diamonds and the soccer field would reduce the risk of foul balls landing in the area where the youth soccer fields were located. A 40-foot baseball field safety netting will be installed based on Sport Systems Canada proposal."
Gord Young, the communications officer for the City advises, "Staff has worked with North Bay Youth Soccer and Nipissing District Soccer Club to implement scheduling changes to help ensure player and spectator safety at Veterans Park pending the installation of the baseball safety netting.
"The design-build and installation of the netting is expected to be completed in late July or early August. We know this has caused inconveniences for user groups and we appreciate their cooperation and patience."
While the pitch at Veterans Park was once the prime location for adult soccer leagues, those loops have all migrated south to the Steve Omischl Sports Complex, and the grass playing surface closest to the Lakeshore overpass has become the domain of youth soccer leagues.
As youth soccer has taken over on the pitch at Veterans Park, over the past two seasons it has led to some close calls from foul balls originating from the neighbouring baseball diamond. Whereas adult soccer saw 22 players on the pitch plus officials, with spectators seated on bleachers nearest to the overpass, now the danger from foul balls from the diamond has increased with three youth fields with 50-plus kids, coaches, and another 100 or so supporters are watching from just off the playing surfaces.
"There could be approximately 150 players and spectators sitting in the area where foul balls land," the staff report states.
