Published: August 08, 2009 12:50 am      

Heavy hitters concern park neighbors

EFFINGHAM — Of course Mike Janis is used to having high-flying home run baseballs and softballs land in his yard, he lives behind the baseball fields in Effingham’s Hendelmeyer Park.

But in the last two years, Janis and his neighbors say they have experienced an increase in the length and frequency of home runs hit by members of the Men’s Slow Pitch Softball League, which rents the fields from the park district.

“In the last two years, the balls have been getting closer and closer and, recently, they’ve been hitting the house,” he said.

Janis and his neighbors contacted the Effingham Park District, which had the neighbors and Charles Pirozzoli, secretary/treasurer of the men’s league, discuss the issue at Thursday’s park board meeting.

“Over the years, as bats and balls have become more powerful, residents are now concerned that children and adults sitting on their back patio ... are in danger of getting hit and hurt by balls that are flying much farther than before,” said Park Director Ron Diehl. “Also, some homes and personal property can easily be damaged by these longer and harder hit balls.”

When asked if something had happened two years ago that would account for the increase in home runs, Pirozzoli said the teams had started using bats approved by U.S. Specialty Sports Association standards.

Board members deduced these stronger bats could be the reason for the harder-hit balls, but Pirozzoli insists many of the heavy hitters would hit the balls just as far without the stronger bats.

“Most balls don’t get that far. If you put a wood bat in their hands, they would still hit it that hard,” Pirozzoli said.

He added he switched game schedules so the teams with heavy-hitting players are playing on the middle diamond, which is farther away from the houses. He plans to schedule games accordingly next season as well.

Janis agrees the problem has decreased since that change occurred a month ago, but still thinks the bats are a safety issue.

“There are a lot of players who won’t pitch in fear of their safety (because the pitcher stands closest to the batter). It is an issue. I wouldn’t pitch in that league. Those are some brave men out there,” he said, adding he played in the league until two years ago.

Pirozzoli argues the bats do not put players in extra danger, the players do. He’s seen guys hurt by colliding into each other while trying to make a catch or from sliding into the catcher at home plate.

“There are certain risks of playing ball and people know that. You can not take all the risk out of playing ball,” he said.

Effingham Park District Facility Superintendent Jeff Althoff recommended the board have the league switch from bats certified by the USSSA to those certified by the Amateur Softball Association of America, which apparently has tighter restrictions on bat use.

“I think it would be better for the safety of the players and less home runs would be hit,” Althoff said.

The board unanimously agreed all men’s softball leagues who play at park district facilities must use bats certified by the ASA beginning next season.

Janis and his neighbors are relieved at the park board’s decision.

“It’s just been kind of a nuisance that needed to be addressed. I was real impressed with what the park board did. They did a lot of research and helped to resolve the matter,” he said.

Pirozzoli, however, was disappointed by the board’s decision.

“I think it was premature. I was under the impression we were going to check about the issue of balls hitting the houses. The problem was solved when we got to the meeting, and now this player-safety issue, which is really not the park district’s issue,” he said.

Pirozzoli doesn’t think the new bat certifications will make the players any safer and said several of the teams want to meet with the park board to discuss the new rule.

Angie Faller can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 131 or angie.faller@effinghamdailynews.com.