Vandals leave mess at East Meadow baseball complex

Maintenance of baseball and softball fields usually involves raking the infield and mowing the grass. But recently, removing broken glass, picking up empty beer cans and bottles and repairing damaged fences are some of the unwanted, yet regular tasks on Saturday and Sunday mornings at the East Meadow Baseball/Softball Complex on Merrick Avenue.

Stephen LaSala, vice president of the East Meadow Baseball/Softball Association, was there just after sunrise last Saturday. He arrived to find remnants left behind by a group of teenagers from the night before. It took two hours to clean the fields in time for the young players to arrive for the first games and practices of the day.

“It’s a shame,” LaSala said. “It’s a town park, but it’s really an East Meadow park. You hate to think that your own people are trashing the place.”

Spiro Christoforatos, president of the league’s softball program, said he drove by the complex last Friday night, and asked a group of teens to leave the premises — the complex is closed from dusk until dawn. They left without incident, he said. But they also left a mess.

“It’s just getting bad,” Christoforatos said. “It’s destructive.”

According to LaSala and Christoforatos, in 2010, the complex experienced what could have been thousands of dollars worth of damage if not for the efforts of volunteers. Unknown late-night vandals destroyed the roof of a concession stand and broke fences and vents. 

Though the league says it has been communication with police about the issue, it also wants to alert parents of what has become a late-night site for illegal underage drinking.

“My concern is to make parents aware,” LaSala said. “I think we may have issues here with these kids . . . I’m afraid someone is going to drink and drive.”

Anyone with information on these incidents is asked to report it to the 1st Precinct, by calling (516) 573-6100.

See more photos at liherald.com/eastmeadow.