Resident says changes could work so softball could be played
By Ed Birch, Special Writer
At last week’s Board of Education meeting, Matthew Panconi, a high school softball parent, called on the board to consider modifying the artificial turf fields project at the high school to include provisions for playing girls softball.
According to Mr. Panconi, a Williams Road resident in Kendall Park, the facilities as proposed do not include any considerations for the girls’ program.
During the public comment section of the meeting, Mr. Panconi said he reviewed the plans as released by the board, and claims this could be done by simply adding provisions for three temporary bases, home plate, a pitching rubber and temporary fencing.
Mr. Panconi, who works in the construction industry, said he has also provided design data to the present township board showing that the 200 feet needed for the softball fields would fit within the present 240 foot design plans that have been approved.
In his response to the presentation, Superintendent Gary McCartney stated that “this is the first chance for the school system to deal with turf fields.”
”I respect your advocacy for the Girls’ Softball Program and your energy in trying to make this change. I hope that you will understand and respect my position as well,” Mr. McCartney said. “The design was months in the making and used as the basis for seeking competitive bids. To make any changes to the bid documents and the official drawings puts the District into the Change Order process and impacts the completion date. With a very tight schedule to begin with, we would be threatening the completion date, which already resulted in an adjustment of home/away events for the fall.”
Mr. McCartney said that allowing for softball to be played on the fields, which were not initially designed for that purpose could bring several negative consequences.
”The impact of a batter’s box, turf base-paths, no protection of players seated on the bench from foul balls and errant throws to name just a few, are items that would require study and remedy,” he said. “ I don’t want a quick remedy that could result in player injury or damage to the product because the structure wasn’t designed effectively for the use.”
Mr. McCartney said the district is starting “on a small scale” with its first venture into artificial turf, and may expand in the future, “money and support willing.”
”Had we wanted a project of larger scope at this time, funds would likely not have covered the plan,” he said. “Several years back, a push for artificial turf began. We were not financially able at that time, nor was I willing, in the face of staff reductions, to use general fund dollars to fund the plan.”
He said the 2013 team won a state championship on natural grass at home, but played the title game on artificial turf at Rutgers University in Piscataway.
”It did cross my mind that if we lose, will the lack of practice on turf be placed at my doorstep. Thankfully, we won,” he said. “My point with this example is that artificial turf will soon be the norm, but until it is, some may miss the opportunity to play and practice on it.”
Mr. Panconi countered that argument by stating that the project or “redesigning the linings of the fields might not be costly at all during the pre-construction period.”
Mr. Panconi asked that the board make such an inquiry to the vendor at this time.
Mr. Panconi said he has also volunteered to coordinate a fund raising project to fund the needed temporary fencing for the softball fields should the plan materialize.