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Raising the issue gets a fence raised at ballfield

The Columbian
Published: August 11, 2015, 5:00pm
3 Photos
Hubert Thomas a sack full of Willamette University softballs that he has collected after they landed on his property in Salem, Ore.
Hubert Thomas a sack full of Willamette University softballs that he has collected after they landed on his property in Salem, Ore. The softball field is right across the street from his property. Photo Gallery

SALEM, Ore. — Hubert Thomas has lived across the street from the Willamette University softball field since 2002. Over the years, he has collected a fairly substantial number of balls that have flown over the fence into or near his property.

The field faces 14th Street, and Thomas’ home is just beyond the left field border, making it the prime location to collect home run balls.

The only problem is that sometimes the balls land in not-so-prime locations, like through windows and onto vehicles.

After his car and home were damaged recently, Thomas reached out to administrators at Willamette to ask that the problem be addressed, ideally by increasing the height of the fence over left field.

Willamette is obliging, constructing a net over center and left field, and raising the height of the fencing to 12 feet.

In response to Thomas’ reaching out about the problem and the damage to his property, the university has agreed to pay for the damages.

“It’s important to us that we make sure that any damage is fixed and that we resolve the problem,” said Adam Torgerson, a spokesperson for the university.

While the damage to his property was an inconvenience, Thomas had other concerns on his mind.

“The damage to my car and windows can be replaced. I’m worried about someone walking by,” said Thomas.

Schoolkids afoot

Bush Elementary School resides just two blocks north on 14th Street, and kids frequently travel up the road to get to and from school.

The new netting should ensure that no balls find their way over the fence, shielding pedestrians and Thomas’s residence from any incoming yellow projectiles.

Since the field has been there for nearly two decades, it is curious that this issue is just now being addressed. However, Torgerson said that Thomas is the only person that has come to the university with a problem.

“There was demonstrable damage in this case, and we took care of it,” Torgerson said.

“He submitted the bills for the damage and we took care of the cost.”

Even though ballpark fences do a decent job of keeping the balls in the park, there will be some sluggers who send one flying over the fences every now and again. It is a good idea to be alert when around baseball and softball fields, especially during games or practices.

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