By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
Sides are being taken on the fence at the Bucyrus Lions Field and the local slo-pitch softball league decided to throw its own curve ball.
Representatives from the league attended Tuesday night’s Bucyrus City Council meeting to address their concerns after opposition arose at the last council meeting when Mayor Jeff Reser announced the intent to replace the fence at the fields.
Rob Berry, a member of the slo-pitch softball league, said the fence had been taken down and the league was under the impression that one would be put back up. He pointed out that a number of tournaments were held on the adult softball field, including the one hosted during the Bratwurst Festival that brings teams in from Indiana and Illinois. Teams from Bucyrus, Wynford, and Waycraft Workshop also use the Babe Ruth field. Berry added that the league maintains the field, including adding dirt and mowing.
The fence was 30-years-old and had been continuously repaired. The teams often dealt with broken poles and a curling fence.
The proposed new fence would cost an estimated $39,000, according to Hunt Fencing, a company the city had worked with before. The fencing would have a common area between the two fields and would total 1,700 feet. The foul line fence would be four-feet tall with a backstop reaching up to 20 feet and a surrounding fence with a height of eight feet.
The matter remains in committee for further discussion.
RELATED CONTENT: Bucyrus officials continue process to change local pot laws | Reser believes building blocks are in place to improve city
Law Director Rob Ratliff announced the newest member of Bucyrus’ Most Wanted. Forty-two-year-old Lisa Ann Pries-Jones is wanted for passing bad checks to the city’s downtown merchants and for contempt of court. Jones, who was previously from Plymouth, is 5-foot-3, 132 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. A picture was not made available at the time of the meeting. Anyone with information can contact the Bucyrus Police Department’s tip line at 419-834-2023.
Four pieces of legislation were passed during the meeting. The ordinances and resolution dealt with appropriations, adjustments to the law office staffing, and the 2016 FAA airport maintenance projects.
A joint committee meeting has been scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday in Bucyrus City Council Chambers.