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Strong winds topple Shadyside dugouts

Photo Provided Strong winds on Sunday toppled dugouts at the Mead Township Sports Complex in Shadyside.

SHADYSIDE — The effects of the windstorm that overtook the Ohio Valley Sunday were felt at Mead Township Park.

The dugout along the third-base line on the third field, which is the home to the Shadyside Tigers varsity softball team, was reduced to rubble because of the wind, which had reported gusts of more than 50 miles per hour. A single dugout on another one of the fields was also brought to the ground by the storm.

Tim Merryman, chairman of the Mead Township Park District board, was on site Monday, surveying the damage.

“We have had some flood water, but never anything like that,” Merryman said. “There were some trees destroyed throughout the town. The village crew and fire department were out in force (Sunday) doing everything they could, so kudos to those guys.”

None of the other structures at the facility were affected by the wind.

“The other dugouts, the pavillion, restrooms and the other shelter are all in good shape,” Merryman said. “It had to be one heck of a burst to do that kind of damage.”

According to Merryman, the dugouts will be repaired. And he expects — barring major issues with the weather — they’ll be done in time or the Lady Tigers’ home opener, which is scheduled for March 26th against River. However, the team has a home scrimmage slated — as of now — for March 15.

Unfortunately, the dugouts in the entire facility have only liability insurance, so the park district and the Shadyside Youth Baseball and Softball Association will be responsible for the cost of the re-build. Those dugouts, by Merryman’s estimation, are only five years old. The SYBSA built the dugouts.

“We have insurance covering most of the buildings and the playground equipment (in the park), but just not on the dugouts,” Merryman said. “I contacted Bob Gorrell, who is the president of the SYBSA, and the two groups will be doing the work. I figure it’s going to probably cost about $700 per dugout. Both the park district and SYBSA will be accepting donations.”

The school bears no financial responsibilty to the park. Merryman, who was the former Lady Tiger varsity softball coach, said the junior sports organization and the school made an agreement many years ago. It consists of the varsity softball team using that field and the community’s pony and colt league teams use the high school baseball field.

Merryman hopes to begin the re-build process in the coming days. In the coming days — or at least by this weekend — he hopes to have the debris removed, “making it safe.”

No damage to the backstop or the scoreboard, which sits in rightcenter field, was found.

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